Your old mattress has been with you through thick and thin. It’s seen you through the best moments of your life, and it’s comforted you when things got rough. But now that it’s lost its firmness and provides less comfort than ever, it’s time to say goodbye to your old friend before it starts doing more harm than good.
How Can I Properly Dispose of My Mattress?
A worn mattress can be disposed of in a variety of ways, including recycling, donating, and tossing it away. The approach that is best for you will depend on a variety of factors, including the mattress’ condition, your location, and the facilities nearby providing the services you need.
Here are some easy tips on how to get rid of your old mattress the right way so that no one gets hurt and everyone comes out happy in the end!
Method 1: Sell It
One way to get rid of your old mattress is to sell it! Whether you’re planning to buy a new one or need to free up some extra space, there are a lot of ways to turn your old mattress into cash.
Sure, you could just throw it out or haul it off in your car but consider these more sustainable options first. In fact, many cities have programs that will pick up and dispose of old mattresses for you at no cost! It may even be in your city. If not, check out local Facebook Buy & Sell groups for garage sales or post an ad on Craigslist with a local contact number so people can call before coming over. You can also list it on Facebook Marketplace.
Have more than one? Offer them together as a package deal. That way, you can keep each other together during their next life! And if all else fails, hire someone to haul it away for you. Just make sure they know what they’re doing (no flammable liquids please!) and don’t set fire to their truck afterward just kidding about that last part. But seriously – don’t do that.
Method 2: Give It Away
If you can’t bear to part with your mattress, but it’s in terrible shape, give it away for free to a charity or individual who needs one. They may not be able to use it now, but they will certainly take good care of it and put it to use when they’re able.
This is especially great if you have an old box spring that you can throw in as well. In fact, if someone specifically requests a box spring because they need one to complete their bedding set, offer yours up!
You’ll save yourself from having to pay for disposal fees and help out another person at the same time. Just make sure you do some research on local charities beforehand so you know where your donations are going. For example, Goodwill Industries International offers donation guidelines online, including information about how much money they receive from donations like mattresses and box springs.
You might also consider donating to a local shelter or soup kitchen—they could definitely use whatever you don’t want anymore!
Paint is another item you can easily donate to charity. You can see how to go about it from our article on How to Dispose of Paint.
Method 3: Refurbish It
If you have a mattress that isn’t beyond repair, check with local businesses that refurbish used furniture or beds before making a final decision. If you can get it fixed up for cheap enough, then why not?
Just make sure to do your research beforehand and ask about their workmanship and warranty policies so you know what to expect. Some companies offer lifetime warranties on their work, while others only guarantee their services for six months to a year.
Mattresses are not the only items you can reuse. You can learn how to reuse styrofoam from our guide on How to Dispose of Styrofoam.
What If My Mattress Is Too Far Gone To Be Repaired?
When all else fails, call around to your area’s dumpsters (yes, dumpsters) and see if they accept mattresses as part of their trash removal service. You may even find out that some will pick them up from your home for free—it never hurts to ask. This method is best if you don’t have access to transportation because many companies will require that mattresses be brought in by truck.
If you can’t get it picked up, some cities allow residents to dispose of old mattresses at local landfills or transfer stations. These facilities usually charge a fee per load, but it’s better than paying disposal fees when you can just take it there yourself.
Just make sure to check with your city before heading over. Most cities post information about what items are accepted at transfer stations on their website or in print on brochures available at public libraries and city halls.
If none of these options work for you, consider hiring a professional company like Junk King to remove it for you. They come straight to your home with trucks big enough to haul away almost anything and charge by weight so there are no surprise fees or hidden charges involved.
Method 4: Trash It
Many mattress manufacturers and retailers have recycling programs, so do some research on your specific brand to see if they offer such a program. If not, there are companies that will pick up your old mattress for disposal, or you can arrange to have it recycled yourself.
Some brands allow you to bring your old mattress into stores when purchasing a new one, which is convenient and can cut down on shipping costs and space used. Be sure to ask if stores in your area recycle mattresses before buying one!
A well-made mattress will last at least 10 years with proper care, so don’t feel pressured to replace yours just because it’s getting old. You can also save money by reusing an older mattress as long as you clean and maintain it properly.
However, once your body starts feeling uncomfortable on a bed due to wear and tear, it may be time to get rid of an older model and invest in something new—and while you’re at it, check out these tips for finding affordable but comfortable mattresses. Once your old mattress has been discarded or donated (it’s better than adding extra clutter), use what remains of its box spring as firewood or a stand-in table until you get something more permanent.
Safety Precautions for Disposing of Your Mattress
While mattresses are relatively safe to dispose of, a few precautions should be taken to make sure your job goes smoothly.
First and foremost, double-check with your municipality if mattress disposal is included in their curbside pickup service or not. Many larger municipalities may have special days set aside for residents to bring unwanted items like mattresses and old furniture.
In some places, they may charge an extra fee so it pays to find out in advance if you can do it yourself or not. Otherwise, you’ll have no choice but to get rid of it yourself—and that can get messy fast.
You also want to take care when loading your mattress into your vehicle because improper handling could result in someone getting hurt.
Lastly, don’t forget about safety once you’ve loaded up! If you’re working alone, drive slowly and carefully to avoid any sudden movements or jolts that could cause harm. It’s also a good idea to secure your load as best as possible by strapping it down. This will prevent shifting during transport and ensure that you won’t lose control of your vehicle.
It’s always better to be safe than sorry!
Frequently Asked Questions for Mattress Disposal
What Do You Do With Waste Mattress?
You don’t want to dispose of it in your regular garbage because it’s too large and can’t be broken down, so many people turn to a waste collection service.
There are some issues with mattress disposal services, though: they tend to charge a flat fee per item, which is generally going to make them more expensive than disposing of a mattress on your own; there may also be rules in your area that prohibit you from hiring out for certain items (such as mattresses).
You can avoid these issues by taking advantage of free pick-up programs, such as those offered by Goodwill. The only issue with these programs is that you have to make sure you know what options are available near you before setting out on disposal day.
How Long Should You Wait Before Getting Rid Of Your Old Mattress?
Most experts recommend that you hold onto your mattress for about 10 years, but many people don’t have the patience to wait that long. Luckily, most mattress companies make it pretty easy to recycle or dispose of an old mattress once you’re ready to move on.
Although you can technically just leave your mattress in your home until trash day, experts suggest doing a little bit of research beforehand to ensure that whatever you do with it is safe and eco-friendly. Whether or not you decide to give away or sell your old mattress, it’s important to properly dispose of it.
There are several ways to get rid of your mattress: donate it, recycle it, or toss it into a dumpster. Regardless of which option you choose, be sure to use one that doesn’t put others at risk. If you’re considering getting rid of your mattress because there’s mold growing inside of it (or if there are visible signs of bed bugs), please throw out your mattress as soon as possible—mold and bed bugs aren’t good for anyone!
Conclusion
If you’re considering disposing of your old mattress, be sure to follow these tips. Depending on where you live and what types of facilities are available in your area, mattresses can present a variety of challenges.
Be sure to learn as much as possible about local procedures and how they work so that you can make it through both easy and difficult situations safely.
Whether you are going to dispose of your mattress yourself or hire someone else to do it for you, be safe! Disposing of a mattress isn’t particularly dangerous, but even a simple task like throwing one away should be done carefully. After all, these are huge pieces of furniture with springs in them that could hurt someone if disposed poorly.
