Mattresses

Published April 21, 2022

22 min

Mattress Disposal - Free & Paid Options to Dispose Of A Mattress

Nectar Editorial Team

Table of contents

Signs You May Need a New Mattress1. How to Dispose of A Mattress 2. Mattress Recycling 3. Junk Removal 4. Put Mattress in Trash How to Find a Mattress Disposal Nearby Frequently Asked Questions

Is your old mattress causing discomfort? Are you waking up with body aches and pains? If that’s the case, a new mattress may be in order. But what about the old one? How should you dispose of an old mattress?Of course, you cannot dump it on the streets. Firstly, you may be fined for that, and landfills are already overflowing with waste. So, the issue is: what to do for mattress disposal?Don’t worry. We'll share how to dispose of a mattress, along with all the free and paid options for mattress disposal. Read ahead to discover more about mattress disposal options.

Signs You May Need a New Mattress

These indicators below will help you understand if it's time to dispose of a mattress. You Wake Up In Pain: One of the key causes of why you wake up sore or with aches and pains is due to sleeping on an old mattress. It usually occurs in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips. This is because the mattress loses its shape, and is no longer able to support your body as you sleep. This is a clear sign to replace your mattress. Wear and Tear: If you can see any visible signs of wear and tear, which include sagging, tears, holes, stains, ripping, and more, then it's time for mattress disposal. Lumpy Mattress: Over time, there are chances that your mattress may become lumpy. The foam may degrade or shift around. So, if this is the case, it’s time to dispose of the mattress. Allergies or Asthma: If you suddenly have allergies, then it's essential to see if your mattress is the reason, and opt for mattress disposal if so. More Than 8 Years Old: Not all mattresses have the same lifespan . While some mattresses last more than 15 years, it's usually recommended to replace your mattress every six to eight years. So if your mattress is very old, it’s time for mattress disposal. However, if your current mattress has an extended lifespan and still provides optimal comfort, then you're good to keep sleeping on it. Overheating: If you're not usually a hot sleeper but have been feeling uncomfortably hot lately, you might need to dispose of your mattress. Trouble Sleeping: If one day, your mattress suddenly starts feeling extremely uncomfortable, it's a sure sign to replace it.Now you understand the signs of needing a new mattress for better sleep. Next, let’s explore how and where to dispose of a mattress.

1. How to Dispose of A Mattress

Wondering how to get rid of a mattress ? It depends on several factors. Some states might have recycling laws that can help you dispose of your mattress, while some don’t have any laws or recycling centers. But here are all the options you can consider.If your mattress is still in decent condition, you can give it to those in need through a mattress donation. Mattress donation is a free method to get rid of your old mattress. Many local charities and businesses accept mattress donations. Some can even arrange for a free pickup if needed. But first, let’s see if your mattress is good enough condition to be donated.

Is your mattress in good shape for a donation?

Usually, you need to follow a few standard rules before donating a mattress. They include:

No Bug Infestations

The first and most important rule is to avoid donating mattresses with buginfestations. Any mattress with bug, mold, or dust mite infestations is not usable. So, you can't donate mattresses that have pest infestations. Only if you can get it deep cleaned thoroughly and eradicate any infestation will your mattress be eligible for donation.

No Major Wear and Tear

Any major wear and tear, such as holes, rips, or structural problems like sagging, bent coils, and more, may make the mattress unusable.

No Major Stains

If your mattress has big ugly stains, which even after spot cleaning, don’t go away, then your mattress is likely not in good shape to be donated. If your mattress meets all the criteria, then good news–you can now donate the mattress. But beforehand, be sure to spot clean any small stains and vacuum it to remove any dust or dirt. You can remove any odors by sprinkling a layer of baking soda over your mattress. You can also mix a few drops of essential oil into the baking soda for a lovely fragrance. Next, let it sit for several hours and then vacuum it well. This gets rid of any odor. Remember, before donating the mattress, try to clean it so someone else can use it next.

Organizations

There are some national and international organizations that accept mattresses as donations. They include:

Goodwill

A community-based NGO, Goodwillstores are spread all over the country where you can donate a good quality mattress. Here, the funds they receive via sales are used for the training and education of low-income families. There are approximately 162 Goodwill stores today, so that you may find one easily near you. However, while this is a free option where you can simply go and donate your mattress, it is essential to check with the particular store if they accept mattresses and offer free mattress pickup.

Habitat for Humanity

They are an international NGO that ensures everyone has a roof over their heads. Furthermore, they also run a thrift store called Restore. You can donate your mattress there. They may even offer an old mattress pick-up service. If you cannot take the mattress to their stores for mattress disposal, you can call them for free mattress pick up services. In addition, they can arrange for a free mattress pickup. Just make sure your mattress doesn’t have any wear and tear.

Furniture Bank Association Of America

Furniture Bank Association of America’s primary purpose is to offer home furnishings to low-income families at little to no cost. They currently run 80 donation centers in North America, making it easier for you to drop your mattress off in person. They also offer pick up services, but an important thing to note is that they only service households within a 15-20 miles radius of their nearest donation center. You can look up the nearest mattress disposal center from your home on their website .

Catholic Churches

They run shelters for the homeless throughout the US. You can check out their websiteto locate them. They help needy children, refugees, people with disabilities, and more. They help people regardless of their religion or belief. Catholic Churches also have residential housing programs and shelters, which need mattresses. So, give them a call if you have an excellent condition mattress for mattress disposal. You can also contact shelters for the homeless, churches, and rehabilitation centers who may be able to use an old mattress. When you donate mattresses, you are helping someone to have a better life, so it's a more fulfilling way to dispose of a mattress.

Local Charities

If you want to avoid the big ones, you can also contact local charities to dispose of a mattress. But they may have stricter policies when compared to large organizations. If you know of any local charities, you can contact them directly via phone or email. And if you don’t know who to approach, try Donationtown.org. They help you find a good charity for your mattress. Just browse through their database, and you can find a match for mattress disposal. You can also search for a nearby local shelter on the search engine for quick results. If not Downtown, you can also try United Way for mattress donation, where they have an extensive database of shelters. In fact, some charities also give you free mattress removal services. So now you know what to do with an old mattress!

Social platforms

You might be thinking, “Where can I throw away my mattress for free?” Wait. We have better news for you. Use social media platforms to dispose of a mattress because what if you could earn some money by doing away with your mattress. Is your mattress in good condition? Then you might not want to donate or recycle it. But, selling it off can help you earn some quick money. Here is how you can go about selling used mattresses: Use Facebook: You can post it on social media platforms like Facebook. Who knows? Someone from your network might be looking for a used mattress. You could sell your used mattresses and make a few bucks. You can also try selling on Facebook marketplace to reach a wider audience. There are also many local Free groups you can join and list it for Free.You can also use other social media sites for mattress disposal to sell or donate your mattress where you can simply drop a post and your connections can help you out.

Classified Ads Sites

What to do with an old mattress? To dispose of a mattress, you can advertise on Craigslist and place a free ad. People interested in taking the mattress can contact you through their site. You can also try Freecycle, and NextDoor for mattress donations. You can even post flyers in your local coffee shops, community centers, and more.

Thrift Shops

You can also check with your local thrift stores for mattress donations. Make sure you call them before to check if they are currently accepting donations. You can also ask if they offer free mattress pickup.

2. Mattress Recycling

Each year, about 20 million mattresses end up in landfills in the US. You likely don’t want to contribute more, so call up your nearest mattress recycling service. When it comes to recycling your mattress, some companies take a small service charge of about $40 or so but they offer free mattress collection services from your doorstep. However, a few states, such as Connecticut, California, and Rhode Island offer old mattress pick up service either for free or at a very low cost.When you recycle mattresses, you are saving the Earth from more waste. That sounds like a good option, right? Take a look at all the recycling options below for mattress disposal.

Local Recycling organizations

Some local recycling companies that can help you with mattress disposal include:

Bye-Bye Mattress

If you're wondering how to get rid of a mattress, check Bye-Bye mattress for mattress disposal. They aim to reduce the ever-increasing burden on landfills. You can take their help to locate mattress recycling centers near you. They offer a vast database of recycling centers. You can simply take a look at the websitefor more information. The company also offers mattress recycling services for free or either for a small fee.

Earth 911

Enter your zip code, and they will guide you to the nearest recycling center. Take a look at their website . Earth 911 has an extensive database with over 100,000 listings in both the US and Canada. To check their database telephonically, you can also try their hotline number at 1-800-CLEANUP and they will help you with mattress disposal.

City resources

Get in touch with the municipal offices in your city for mattress disposal. They have departments for trash and recycling. You can call your local municipal center to know about their recycling program and how you can dispose of a mattress. If by any chance your local center doesn’t have one, you can always try your nearby town.

Recycle it yourself

If you are someone crafty and creative, then you don’t have to worry about how to dispose of old mattress for free, because you can recycle a mattress. Below are some easy ideas for mattress disposal.

Create Alternative Furniture

You can make use of the fabric or the foam from your old mattress to create something new like cushions, bean bag fillers, bed pillows, and more. A crafty way to dispose of a mattress for sure!

Coils

If the mattress is extremely old then you can just make use of the coils for something crafty, such as snack holders, decor, and more. Here, you can get as creative as you want. This is how to dispose of a mattress and box spring.

Bed For Your Furry Baby

If you are thinking, where can I dump a mattress? You can create a new mattress for your furry baby with your old one. It is a wonderful gift for them because the mattress will also smell like you, which means, they will be super comfortable in their new bed. This is an easy way to reuse and dispose of a mattress.

Make Rugs

Another way how to get rid of a mattress for free is you can transform your old mattress fabric into a quirky rug. If you require additional fabric, you can also use old clothes and create a patchwork-style rug.

Gardening

Your mattress might contain wooden slats. Use them to make a cool compost bin in your garden. You can also break down the wooden parts to use as compost or lawn mulch, which a green way for mattress disposal. You can check out other creative ideas on Pinterest. Don’t restrict yourself. Let your creative juices flow and transform your old mattress into a piece of art. It's always fun to embrace an artsy way to dispose of your mattress. So now you know how to throw away a mattress without harming the environment.

3. Junk Removal

Can you take mattress to the dump? Yes, in fact, to make it easier, you can get in touch with junk removal services for mattress disposal if your mattress is too far gone. They will come, put a mattress disposal bag over it and take it away. So, how much does it cost to dispose of a mattress? Here, you will end up paying anywhere from $75-$150.

Call Load Up

It offers mattress disposal services in all 50 states in the US. You need to give them a call, and they will pick up your mattress from home. They can also take your mattresses infested with bed bugs.

1-800-Got Junk

It is a junk removal service and a perfect solution for mattress disposal when it’s too far gone. They can pick up your mattress on the same day. However, you cannot give them your bed bug-infested mattress. You just need to call their hotline and schedule a time. This is an easy way how to properly dispose of a mattress.

JDOG Junk Removal

It is a junk removal company run by the military and war veterans’ families. They assess the condition of your mattress. If it is in a decent state, they send it to a recycling center. So, your used mattress won’t end up in a landfill. When you throw out your mattress, make sure it doesn’t affect society and the environment. Always dispose of a mattress the right way.

4. Put Mattress in Trash

Different states have regulations on how to discard a mattress. You need to know the rules specific to your area for mattress disposal. The authorities can find you if you leave your used mattress with the trash. Some places might require you to wrap it in a plastic bag before dumping it. So, this is how to throw away a mattress. Some states like California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island have mattress recycling laws in place. The law in these states requires the manufacturers to provide you with a reliable solution to dispose of a mattress. If you live in Los Gatos or the Bay Area, you can get fined for throwing out your mattress with other waste. So, it is better to check your state’s regulations before deciding what to do with your old mattress. Therefore, before taking your mattress to the bin, call your local garbage disposal office and ask them about the set of rules you need to follow.

How to Find a Mattress Disposal Nearby

If you are confused about where to dispose of a mattress, you can contact your local waste disposal services for mattress disposal. Google can help you locate the nearest mattress disposal services for you and it can cost you around $20 to dispose of your mattress. So, make sure you take the help of waste disposal services for proper recycling of your mattress. Getting rid of old mattresses is not a cakewalk. You have to keep several things in mind before mattress disposal. Following our tips on how to properly dispose of a mattress will help you minimize environmental damage. The US discards 18.2 million mattresses each year. And the landfill workers have a tough time as it is. Make sure you don’t worsen the problem. A perfect mattress is one that gives you a good night’s sleep. The mattresses from Nectar Sleep come with a lifetime warranty. So, you can close your eyes and rely on the quality. However, You need to replace your mattress every 10 -15 years to ensure the same comfort level.This article is for informational purposes and should not replace advice from your doctor or other medical professional.

Frequently Asked Questions

What parts of a mattress can be recycled? You can recycle almost every part of a mattress. The latex and foam can be used as a filling for rugs and carpets when it comes to mattress disposal. You can use the springs to make decorative items for your house. Moreover, you can get creative with the fabric and use them in your DIY projects. Why recycling a mattress is good for the environment? Landfills in the United States are overflowing. So, throwing out your mattress will only add to the waste. Moreover, it contains several non-biodegradable materials that can harm the environment. Therefore, recycling your mattress is best for the environment. Always dispose of your mattress in the right way. Do old mattresses cause allergies? Old mattresses might be home to millions of dust mites. They can cause allergies. You can get sneezes, runny noses, and red eyes. What does the mattress removal cost? Mattress removal cost is around $ 20 to $ 50. For free mattress disposal options, read the article above. Some also offer mattress removal for free depending on the service. How much does it cost to dispose of a mattress? The cost of mattress disposal depends on the agency whose services you are hiring. It can cost you a maximum of $ 50. However, if you are wondering how to dispose of old mattresses for free or free mattress removal options, you can read the section above on how to donate them. How to dispose of a mattress with bed bugs? Some mattresses disposal services like Load Up offer to take your mattress with bed bugs. However, you have to inform them in advance. This is how to dispose of a mattress with bed bugs. Do charities take old mattresses? Yes, there are several charitable organizations that take old mattresses if you are looking to dispose of a mattress. NGOs like Habitat for Humanity can take your used mattress. However, make sure it is in decent condition before you opt for mattress disposal. After all, you cannot donate your mattress if no one can use it. Do charities take old mattresses? Yes, there are several charitable organizations that take old mattresses if you are looking to dispose of a mattress. NGOs like Habitat for Humanity can take your used mattress. However, make sure it is in decent condition before you opt for mattress disposal. After all, you cannot donate your mattress if no one can use it. Can I burn my mattress? If you are thinking about how to get rid of a mattress for free, there are many ways for mattress disposal. But do not burn it. Mattress disposal by burning will release harmful and toxic materials into the air. So, you cannot burn your mattress if you are concerned about the environment. Can I take my mattress to the dump? You can take your mattress to the dump if you are looking to dispose of a mattress. But it depends on the laws of your state. You can dump it with other waste if the law allows you. But remember to wrap it in a plastic bag and seal it before the mattress disposal.