How to Get Rid of an Old Bed

There’s no reason to add to landfills when it comes time to buy a new mattress. Getting rid of your old mattress is easier than you might think, especially with all of the options out there.

Donate
In most cities, there are organizations such as the Salvation Army that will accept mattress donations unless the mattress is no longer usable. The Salvation Army will even pick up the mattress for free in certain areas, but you can always drop it off yourself at a donation center. Habitat for Humanity Restores are another great option, and they also have certain stores that offer free mattress pickup. Just contact the Restore nearest you to make sure they accept mattress donations because some stores do not.

Local charities and homelessness organizations may also gladly receive mattress donations. It’s always worth doing a little research about your specific city to help your community (and the tax deduction doesn’t hurt either).

Recycle
Many parts of mattresses are recyclable. Checking out ByeByeMattress is an easy way to determine where you can recycle your mattress in your zip code. However, proper recycling usually isn’t free. Even if you drop off the mattress on your own, you’ll likely be charged a small fee (typically under $20). You can arrange for your mattress to be picked up, but that will cost a bit more (around $20-$45). Still, it’s a small price to pay to easily get rid of your old mattress in an ecofriendly way.

Sell
Sites like Craigslist can be a great way to earn some cash from your old mattress. Even asking around your community and hanging up fliers in places like coffee shops can prove helpful. You never know who may be moving into their first apartment and need a mattress ASAP.

Contact mattress company
If you mattress’ warranty isn’t up yet, contact the mattress company as some offer free pickup services or buy-back programs.

Reuse
If you’re more of a DIY type, there are plenty of materials in mattresses that can be used to create something new. You can shred the foam and reuse it for a new pillow or bed for your pet. You can also reuse the wooden slabs as firewood or as material for a new building project. A quick Pinterest search will also revel creative ways to reuse mattress parts.

Ultimately, each state and city has different guidelines for getting rid of a mattress. But with a little research, you’ll be rid of your old mattress in no time.