The question our crews get asked more than any other. Here's the definitive answer for every drawer type in a British home.
Drawers you must empty
- Kitchen drawers (cutlery, knives, utensils) — safety hazard when tipped
- Bathroom drawers (toiletries, meds) — spillage risk
- Desk drawers (pens, tools) — items shift and rattle
- Filing cabinets (paperwork) — weight distribution
Drawers you can usually leave (with caveats)
- Chest of drawers (clothes) — leave folded clothes in situ if the piece is solid wood and the drawers close firmly
- Bedside tables (spare bedding) — same rule
Ask your Apex crew leader — if the piece is sturdy and clothes are the only contents, we usually wrap and load with drawers full. Speeds up the day. Only applies to clothes, never to anything hard or heavy.
Drawers you absolutely must empty
- Any drawer containing glass, china, or valuables
- Any drawer that doesn't close firmly (contents will spill in transit)
- Any drawer in a flat-pack piece being dismantled
- Any drawer with jewellery, cash or documents (these travel in your car anyway)
Why kitchen drawers specifically
Knives, mandolines, cheese graters, kebab skewers. Every professional crew has stories. Empty kitchen drawers into a labelled box the day before.
The "wardrobe carton" trick
For hanging clothes, we bring wardrobe cartons — tall boxes with a hanging rail inside. Clothes go straight from wardrobe to carton without folding, and back into the new wardrobe in minutes. Included free with every Apex packing service.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need to empty drawers before movers come?
- Kitchen, bathroom, desk and filing drawers yes — anything hard, sharp or liquid should be boxed. Clothes in a solid chest of drawers can usually stay if the drawers close firmly and the piece is sturdy. Always ask your crew leader on the day.
- Can I leave clothes in the drawers when moving?
- Usually yes for chest-of-drawers and bedside tables containing only folded clothes, provided the piece is solid wood and drawers close firmly. Flat-pack furniture being dismantled must be fully emptied so it can be safely taken apart.
- Do I need to pack my wardrobe?
- No. Apex brings wardrobe cartons (tall boxes with a hanging rail) so clothes go from wardrobe to carton on their hangers, then straight into your new wardrobe. Included free with every packing service and part-pack.
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