How to Remove Drawers From Bathroom Cabinet | The Release Clips

Bathroom cabinet drawers come out by pressing the release clips on both slide tracks, then lifting the drawer free.

For the full breakdown, see our best Bathroom Cabinets and Drawers guide.

Most vanities use one of two systems: side-mounted slides with plastic tabs or undermount glides with squeeze handles. Both follow the same basic sequence, and this guide covers the variations, the tools you’ll need, and the mistakes that jam drawers mid-pull.

Finding the Release Mechanism On Your Drawer Slides

Before you pull anything, fully extend the drawer as far as it will go. The release hardware sits on both sides of the slide tracks, so you need the track fully exposed to reach it.

Look for one of three release designs depending on your vanity brand:

• Plastic levers or tabs on the side of the metal glide track — common on side-mounted slides sold at big-box stores like Lowe’s
• Squeeze handles underneath the drawer box — standard on Kohler Robern Craft Series vanities, which use orange locking devices
• Latch buttons on the bottom of the slide — pressed upward while you pull the drawer out

The release direction varies by brand. Some clips press inward toward the cabinet, others press downward on one side and upward on the other. Check both sides before applying serious force.

The Step-by-Step Removal Process That Works

Here is the sequence that works across most bathroom cabinet drawer systems, combining the instructions from Kohler, Lowe’s, and Axis Pro vanity guides.

1. Fully extend the drawer so the slide tracks are completely exposed.
2. Locate both release mechanisms — one on the left track, one on the right. For undermount slides, reach under the drawer and feel for the handles or latches.
3. Press or squeeze both releases at the same time. This is the step people get wrong: releasing only one side jams the drawer at an angle and can bend the track. Kohler’s instructions for Robern vanities say to squeeze the orange handles of both locking devices while holding them.
4. Pull the drawer straight out while keeping the releases engaged, then lift it off the runners once it clears the track.
5. Set the drawer down gently, supporting the bottom so the front doesn’t twist and stress the joints.

Lowe’s installation guide for its Canterbury bathroom cabinet describes a near-identical motion: push the plastic levers under the drawer box on both glide tracks, then lift the drawer up to clear them.

When Drawers Won’t Come Out: Stuck Slides and Screwed Tracks

If the drawer resists after you’ve pressed the clips, stop pulling. Three things cause a stuck drawer, and each has a different fix.

Check for screws securing the slides. Some manufacturers screw the slide track directly to the drawer box, and there is no clip at all. Remove those screws before pulling. Look for Phillips-head screws near the front and rear of the slide rail.

Look for an anti-tip cable or rear attachment. Certain vanity models, especially taller cabinets, have a safety cable running from the back of the drawer to the cabinet frame. Disconnect it before attempting removal, or the drawer will stop dead at full extension.

Check for access panels. A few designs hide the release mechanism behind a panel inside the cabinet. Remove the panel first, then press the lever from inside the cabinet while a second person pulls from the front.

One final note on stubborn drawers: if you have a heavy stone or solid-wood front, work one drawer at a time and start from the top drawer when removing several.

FAQs

Do I need tools to remove a bathroom vanity drawer?

Most drawers with clip-style or squeeze-handle releases come out with bare hands. You’ll need a Phillips screwdriver only if your slides are screwed to the drawer box, and possibly a flathead to pry off an access panel. Keep a screwdriver nearby before you start pulling.

Why does my drawer only come out partway?

That’s the anti-tip catch engaging, not a broken slide. The catch is designed to stop the drawer from falling out when fully extended. Press the release lever or tab on both sides simultaneously, then lift the drawer slightly as you pull to clear the catch.

Is it safe to remove all the drawers from my vanity at once?