Whether you're reorganizing, repairing hardware, deep-cleaning your home, moving furniture, or installing new drawer liners, knowing how to get drawers out of a dresser is essential. But not all dresser drawers are built the same some use simple wooden slides, while others use roller glides, safety-stops, center rails, or modern soft-close metal slides like the ones in many SICOTAS 9-drawer dressers.

This complete guide shows you how to remove ANY type of dresser drawer safely and easily  without damaging the frame or rail system. You’ll also learn how to get a musty smell out of dresser drawers using proven, furniture-safe cleaning methods.

Why Drawer Removal Matters

Knowing how to correctly remove dresser drawers helps you:

• Clean dust, spills, pet hair, and hidden dirt
• Fix misaligned or jammed drawers
• Repair or replace slides
• Move heavy furniture more easily
• Install drawer liners
• Restore old furniture
• Treat drawers with musty, mildew, or old-wood odor

Modern dressers like Zura, Crescent, Willow, and Stria 9-drawer sets are intentionally built for easy removal  meaning maintenance is simple even for beginners.

Before You Begin: Identify Your Drawer Slide Type

Different slides = different removal techniques.
Here are the 6 most common dresser slide types:

Slide Type	Where It’s Found	Difficulty	Removal Action
Wooden Runner	Older / traditional dressers	Easy	Lift + pull
Roller Glides	Many budget/mid-range dressers	Easy	Press tab
Side-Mount Metal Slides	Most modern dressers	Medium	Press release levers
Soft-Close Slides	Premium models	Medium	Press front clips
Center-Mount Slide	Slim or antique dressers	Easy	Pull + tilt
Safety-Stop Slides	Kids’ furniture	Medium	Release built-in stop

SICOTAS uses upgraded side-mount metal slides with smooth-gliding motion  the easiest to detach safely.

How to Get Wooden-Slide Drawers Out of a Dresser

Common in vintage or handmade furniture.

✔ Steps:

1. Pull the drawer out as far as it goes.
2. Lift upward firmly  the back of the drawer will lift off the wooden rail.
3. Tilt slightly and pull out completely.

✔ Tips:

• Wood swells with humidity; wiggle gently if stuck.
• Never force  avoid cracking the rail.

How to Remove Roller-Slide Drawers

Roller glides have small plastic wheels that glide smoothly until they hit a stop.

✔ Steps:

1. Pull drawer fully open.
2. Look underneath for a plastic tab (usually on one side).
3. Push the tab up or down depending on the model.
4. Lift drawer slightly and pull out.

✔ Tips:

• Check both sides  some roller slides have dual stops.
• Be gentle  the plastic tabs can snap.

How to Remove Side-Mount Metal Glide Drawers (Most Modern Dressers)

This is the style used in many SICOTAS 9-drawer dressers, including the Zura, Crescent, Willow, and Stria modular collections.

✔ Steps:

1. Pull drawer fully open until it stops.
2. Locate the release levers on both sides.

• One lever will push up
• The other pushes down

3. Press both levers simultaneously.
4. Pull the drawer straight out while supporting both sides.

✔ Tips:

• Keep drawer level to avoid bending the glides.
• If it feels stuck, recheck the levers.

How to Remove Soft-Close Dresser Drawers

Soft-close glides slide smoothly and close silently. They use latch clips.

✔ Steps:

1. Fully extend the drawer.
2. Look under the drawer box for clips.
3. Squeeze both clips inward.
4. Lift slightly and pull forward.

✔ Tips:

• Don’t yank  soft-close tracks are engineered for precision.
• If resistance occurs, ensure clips are fully pressed.

How to Remove Center-Mount Slide Drawers

These have one long slide down the middle.

✔ Steps:

1. Pull drawer to the stop.
2. Lift the drawer front upward.
3. Slide forward until detached.

✔ Tips:

• Center rails can swell  wiggle gently.

How to Remove Safety-Stop or Child-Lock Drawers

Often seen in kid’s dressers or tall 9-drawer chests.

✔ Steps:

1. Pull drawer until it won’t go further.
2. Put a hand inside and feel for a stop latch on either side.
3. Push latch upward to disengage.
4. Lift and remove drawer.

✔ Tips:

• Check both sides  one side may latch independently.

How to Get a Musty Smell Out of Dresser Drawers

Musty smells come from:

• Trapped humidity
• Old wood
• Mold spores
• Previous owner odors
• Improper ventilation

Here is the fastest, safest way to freshen dresser drawers.

Step 1  Remove the Drawer Completely

(Use methods above.)

Step 2  Vacuum the Inside

Use a soft brush attachment to remove:

• Dust
• Hair
• Debris
• Mold spores

Step 3  Clean with White Vinegar Solution

Mix:

• 1 part vinegar
• 3 parts warm water

Wipe inside drawer & let dry.
Vinegar kills odor-causing bacteria.

Step 4  Deodorize Naturally

Choose any of these:

• Baking soda (sprinkle inside & vacuum after 24 hrs)
• Activated charcoal bags
• Coffee grounds in a bowl
• Dryer sheets

Step 5  Sun-Dry for 3–6 Hours

Sunlight kills musty bacteria.
Place the drawer outdoors (shade preferred to avoid fading).

Step 6  Add Drawer Liners

Best options:

• Cedar sheets
• Linen liners
• Natural bamboo charcoal liners

These keep odors away long-term.

Best Dressers from SICOTAS (Smooth Drawer Removal + Odor-Resistant Materials)

SICOTAS dressers use upgraded engineered wood, odor-resistant finishes, natural oak tones, and smooth-glide metal rails  making drawer removal effortless.

Top Picks:

Zura 9-Drawer Chest  Large Storage

Finishes: Sand Oak, Amber Oak

• Modern cane-style texture
• Smooth, durable drawers
• Great for large bedrooms

Crescent Modular 9-Drawer Dresser

Finishes: Greige Oak, Walnut Brown, Dark Grey Oak

• Luxury modern aesthetic
• Excellent glide mechanism
• Beautiful matte finishes

Willow 9-Drawer Dresser

Finish: Oak Brown

• Warm & rustic style
• Great for Scandinavian, boho, farmhouse interiors

Stria Modular Tall Dresser

Finishes: White Alder, Grey Alder, Dark Grey Alder

• Space-saving vertical storage
• Strong modern aesthetic

See all 9-drawer dressers:
https://www.sicotas.com/collections/9-drawers-dressers

Troubleshooting: Drawer Won’t Come Out? Here’s Why

Problem	Cause	Solution
Drawer stops early	Safety-stop engaged	Check for tabs or levers
Drawer tilts but won’t release	One lever is pressed, not both	Press both side levers at once
Drawer jammed	Debris in track	Clean with vacuum
Drawer too heavy	Items inside	Empty drawer first
Furniture swelling	Humidity	Lift more firmly + wiggle

 

How to Reinstall a Drawer After Removing It

✔ Line up drawer glides

Make sure both tracks slide into each other evenly.

✔ Push until you hear a click

Most metal glides auto-lock when aligned.

✔ Test smooth movement

Open and close drawer fully.

✔ Realign if crooked

A misaligned track can cause sticking.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to get drawers out of a dresser is simple once you know your slide mechanism. Whether you have wooden runners, roller glides, metal side-mount slides, soft-close hardware, or a safety-stop system, the key steps are:

• Pull
• Locate the release mechanism
• Lift or press
• Slide out smoothly

And if your dresser drawers smell musty, simple cleaning and deodorizing techniques can completely restore freshness.

For furniture that’s easy to maintain, beautifully finished, and built with smooth-glide removable drawers, SICOTAS 9-drawer dressers are a top choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get drawers out of a dresser?

Pull to the stop, locate side levers or tabs, press, lift, and slide out. Methods vary by slide type.

How do I remove dresser drawers with metal glides?

Press both release levers (one up, one down) and pull straight out.

Why won’t my dresser drawer come out?

A safety lock may be engaged, or debris may be blocking the track.

How do I get the drawers out of a dresser with plastic tabs?

Press the tab upward or downward while pulling the drawer.

How do I remove musty smells from dresser drawers?

Use vinegar cleaner, baking soda, activated charcoal, and a few hours of sunlight.

Does humidity affect dresser drawers?

Yes  wood can swell, causing sticking. Remove gently and allow ventilation.

Which dressers have the easiest removable drawers?

SICOTAS dressers with smooth metal glides offer the simplest removal process.