How to Remove Drawers

This article was co-authored by Ryaan Tuttle. Ryaan Tuttle is a Home Improvement Specialist and the CEO of Best Handyman, Inc. in Boston, Massachusetts. With over 17 years of experience, he specializes in building home service businesses, focusing on creating scalable and efficient brands. With the help of his global team, the companies have achieved over 10+ million in sales and received recognition through magazine features, and enjoy partnerships with wikiHow and Jobber field service software. Boston Magazine and LocalBest.com have named Best Handyman Boston the Best Handyman in Boston. Ryaan holds Construction Supervisor and Home Improvement Contractor Licenses.

There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.

This article has been viewed 854,856 times.

Every now and then, certain cleaning and moving tasks may require you to manually remove the drawers from a cabinet, dresser, or similar piece of furniture. Removing drawers is a cinch in most cases, but the process can vary a bit depending on the type of drawer you're working with. Most wood-glide and free-rolling drawers will come straight out with a little bit of force or a tilt at the right angle. For drawers with stopping mechanisms like stabilizer screws or anti-tip cables, you’ll need to remove the screws holding the drawer in place before you can finish pulling it out.

Removing Drawers

Slide the drawer out as far as you can. If there isn’t a stopper, the drawer will slide right out. If the drawer does stop, try gently raising the front of the drawer. If it moves, it’s in a track and you can slide the drawer away at an angle. If it doesn’t move, remove the hardware on the railing to free the drawer from the furniture.

Method 1 of 4: Coaxing out Wood-Glide and Free-Rolling Drawers

Most drawers contain some type of stopping mechanism designed to keep them from falling out accidentally. In free-rolling drawers, the stopper is typically a small raised lip on the front side of the interior track.
Be sure to keep enough space between you and the front of the drawer to allow it to extend all the way out.

Tip: Wood-Glide draws can sometimes seem to stick a little, even if they’re not fitted with stoppers. Before you start searching for obstructions, try giving the drawer a good tug to see if that gets it past its sticking point. [2] X Research source

Tilt the front of the drawer downward. Push down on the sides of the drawer so that the back end lifts slightly. This will cause the wheels or lip on the back edge to raise up higher than the stopper at the front of the track, making it possible to pull the drawer out the rest of the way. [3] X Research source [4] X Expert Source

You may need to rock or jostle the drawer to help free the wheels from the track. Be careful not to get too rough with it, though, or you could damage it or its attached hardware.

Finish pulling the drawer straight out. Once the wheels or back edge are past the stopper, all you have to do is slide the drawer off of the track and out of the opening in the piece of furniture. Set the drawer aside on a flat, stable surface and repeat the process for any additional drawers you wish to remove. [5] X Research source [6] X Expert Source

If you’re still having trouble getting the drawer out, there’s a chance that it may be equipped with another type of stopping mechanism, such as levers or stabilizer screws.

Advertisement Method 2 of 4: Freeing Metal-Glide Drawers with Levers

Open the drawer and identify the track levers along the outer walls. You should see a lever on each side of the drawer, right around the center of the track. These levers may either be straight or slightly curved. Their job is to prevent the drawer from being removed until they’re disengaged. [7] X Research source [8] X Expert Source

Be careful not to get your fingers caught in the overlapping tracks as you open the door.
Full-extension slide tracks, which are often found on 12 in (30 cm) drawers, most often have straight tabs. Three-quarter-extension slide tracks, which are more common on 6 in (15 cm) box drawers, tend to have curved track levers.

Use your left hand to press the lever on the lefthand side of the drawer and your right hand to press the lever on the righthand side of the drawer
Some track levers may need to be pulled up rather than pushed down. However, this configuration is somewhat rare.

When you’re ready to put the drawer down, place it on a flat, sturdy surface.

Warning: On some pieces of furniture, the metal retainer tracks will remain extended after you've pulled the drawer free. For your own safety, be sure to push these tracks back in before handing the piece any further.

Advertisement Method 3 of 4: Disassembling Drawers with Stabilizer Screws

If the drawer you’re attempting to remove has metal tracks but no screws at the end, they may be metal glide drawers with levers. See if you can find a pair of track levers to press that will then let you pull the drawer free.

Most drawers with stabilizer screws use 2 in (5.1 cm) #8 cabinet screws, which need to be removed with a Phillips screwdriver.

There should be enough of a lip on the catch tabs for you to easily grip them between your thumb and forefinger.

If you’re going to be removing multiple drawers, check the lip on the righthand side interior of each drawer for a small number decal. These indicate which drawer goes where, which will make it much easier to return them all to their proper place.
To reinstall a drawer with stabilizer screws, simply work in reverse: align the door with the track, lower the catch tab over the track’s bottom half, then thread and tighten the screws. [15] X Research source

Warning: Brace yourself when lifting the drawer out. Drawers with stabilizer screws are likely to be heavy, regardless of how full they are.

Advertisement Method 4 of 4: Removing Drawers with Anti-Tip Cables

Anti-tip cables are a common safety feature on top-heavy pieces that are prone to losing their stability when multiple drawers are open.
On the top and bottom drawers, the cables will be connected to special inserts attached to the back panel. On the middle drawers, they’ll be threaded through eyelets drilled through the back panel.

Slip the screws in your pocket or set them on a nearby table or counter to avoid losing them.
Different hardware may require different screwdrivers. In most cases, however, a Phillips head should do the trick.

Keep a firm grip on the edges of the drawer while you take care of the disconnect tabs.
Make sure both tabs are pushed in completely. They may not “lock” into place on their own, which means you'll need to continue pressing down on them until after you've removed the drawer.

Tip: In some cases, it may be necessary to push down or pull up on the disconnect tabs (or perform both actions simultaneously) in order to disengage them.

Don’t forget to push the extended metal tracks back into the piece before removing the next drawer or going about your business.

Community Q&A

Can I buy the plastic gliders that attach to the drawer? Community Answer Yes, you can buy them online or look for them in your local hardware or furniture stores.

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The drawers on my dresser have no visible rails and very little movement up or down. Can you suggest an alternative method?

Community Answer

I have an old Bombay Company dresser and I found that it had a peg in the back on both sides that needed to be pushed in. This may be the case for your dresser as well.

How can I remove drawers from Nolte furniture? Community Answer

Pull out the drawer to its fullest extent. Hold the drawer front end with both hands and give a sharp lift up. The drawer will detach from the slides and can then be removed. To replace, fit the drawer onto the slides and push all the way in. Test correct operation by pulling out while supporting the drawer to make sure it halts on the stops.

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Emptying the drawer of its contents before pulling it out will make it lighter and therefore easier to hold onto and maneuver. It will also reduce your risk of injury if you happen to drop it.

When removing multiple drawers from a piece of furniture, always start with the top drawer and work your way down to prevent the piece from tipping over.

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Lightweight drawers can ordinarily be handled safely by one person. If you plan on taking the drawers out of a loaded filing cabinet or other heavy-duty piece, it’s a good idea to recruit an assistant.

Consider pulling on a pair of thick work gloves when working with metal drawers and tracks to protect yourself from cuts, pinches, and sharp edges.

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↑https://homeshowradio.com/soft-closed-cabinet-drawer-removal/
↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKoL9Std5GA&feature=youtu.be&t=15
↑https://www.psmoving.com/how-to-remove-dresser-drawers
↑ Ryaan Tuttle. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
↑https://www.livingspaces.com/inspiration/ideas-advice/how-tos/how-to-remove-drawers
↑ Ryaan Tuttle. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
↑https://www.livingspaces.com/inspiration/ideas-advice/how-tos/how-to-remove-drawers
↑ Ryaan Tuttle. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
↑https://homeshowradio.com/soft-closed-cabinet-drawer-removal/

↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wK-IifprLg&feature=youtu.be&t=88
↑https://homeshowradio.com/soft-closed-cabinet-drawer-removal/
↑https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq6aG5GCaLI&feature=youtu.be&t=15
↑https://www.livingspaces.com/inspiration/ideas-advice/how-tos/how-to-remove-drawers
↑https://homeshowradio.com/soft-closed-cabinet-drawer-removal/
↑https://youtu.be/qq6aG5GCaLI?t=29
↑https://homeshowradio.com/soft-closed-cabinet-drawer-removal/
↑https://bizfluent.com/how-5632287-remove-lateral-filing-cabinet-drawer.html
↑https://homeshowradio.com/soft-closed-cabinet-drawer-removal/

About This Article

Co-authored by: Home Improvement Specialist

82 votes - 52% Co-authors: 14 Updated: July 14, 2025 Views: 854,856 Categories: Furniture

If you want to remove wood-glide or free-rolling drawers from a piece of furniture, start by pulling the first drawer out as far as it will go. Then, push down on the sides of the drawer so that the back end lifts up slightly. This causes the wheels or lip on the back edge to raise up higher than the stopper at the front of the track. Once the wheels or back edge are past the stopper, you can slide the drawer off of the track and out of the piece of furniture. Set the drawer aside on a flat, stable surface and repeat the process for any additional drawers you wish to remove! For tips on how to remove drawers with stabilizer screws or metal gliders, read on!

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Reader Success Stories

S. F. May 8, 2017

"The step-by-step information, along with the illustrations are always the most helpful for me when I get into a jam. I would suggest, however, that blown up pictures of the important levers, screws, or pins that need adjusting would be nice." . " more

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Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Home Improvement Specialist 82 votes - 52% Click a star to vote Co-authors: 14 Updated: July 14, 2025 Views: 854,856

"Great article designed to help open any type of drawer. I used this article and tried the first three suggestions, the third one worked. Had to get a flashlight to find the levers, as they were long and toothpick-like." . " more

"The detailed instructions on how to work the release-levers were excellent. How would anyone guess in a million years that you have to press the left-side lever up and the right-side lever down? Much appreciated." . " more

"Something was stuck behind my drawer and I couldn't close the drawer. It was a metal-glide drawer with levers and I had no idea how it worked, but thanks to this article I fixed the problem by myself." . " more

"I could not figure out how to remove my cabinet drawers since there was not lever to pull up or push down on the glider rails. I looked everywhere on the Internet and finally came across this article." . " more

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