An old mattress can feel like an impossible item to get rid of. It’s too big for the trash can, too heavy to move easily, and you’re not sure who will even take it. You might wonder: Is it clean enough to sell? How do I find a “mattress donation near me” that will actually pick it up? What if it’s too worn out for anyone to want? This guide cuts through the confusion. We’ll provide clear, actionable steps for every situation, whether your mattress is nearly new or has seen better days, making the entire process feel simple and stress-free.
We are all inundated with ads on how we can get the most restful nights’ sleep. Every time you open your email, social media apps, or turn on the TV; there are ads for what claims to be the best old mattress that will give you the “best nights sleep,” just a few clicks away.
Maybe you have recently taken the plunge and purchased a new mattress in hopes of getting the ever-coveted 8-hours of shuteye we all deserve. After patiently waiting for your new and improved bedding to arrive you must figure out what to do with your old bedding. If you think you can drag it out to the curb in hopes that the garage tuck will take it, think again.
What are your options for getting rid your old bedding?
It’s easy to forget how old your mattress is, but that number matters more than you might think. While every mattress is different, most experts suggest you should replace your mattress about every eight years. Think of it as an investment in your well-being. A quality mattress is crucial for getting restorative sleep, and when it starts to break down, your body is often the first thing to notice. If you find yourself waking up with new aches in your back or neck, or you simply can’t get comfortable, your mattress might be the culprit. It’s not just about comfort; consistent, good-quality sleep is a cornerstone of overall health, affecting everything from your mood to your immune system.
Beyond the eight-year mark, your mattress will give you some clear signs it’s ready for retirement. Take a good look at it. Do you see visible sagging, dips where you usually sleep, or noticeable lumps? These are classic signs that the internal support structure has failed. You might also hear creaks or groans from the springs when you move. Another important factor is its condition. If your mattress has significant stains, tears, or odors, it’s definitely time for it to go. According to guidelines for mattress donation, an item must be clean and structurally sound, so if yours doesn’t meet that standard, it’s time to look into responsible disposal instead.
If your old mattress is still in good condition, you can opt to sell it on a site like Craigslist or OfferUp. Believe it or not, people will buy a used mattress on sites like these if you can take nice pictures, show that it is clean and well taken care of. Plus you might be able to make some money.
To successfully sell your mattress, transparency is your best friend. Be completely honest about its age, condition, and any stains or wear. Buyers appreciate upfront information and are more likely to trust a seller who is forthcoming. Take clear, well-lit photos from all angles, making sure to include the manufacturer’s tag and close-ups of any imperfections. This helps potential buyers feel confident in what they’re getting. Before listing, research what similar mattresses are selling for on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp to price yours competitively. A fair price combined with great photos and an honest description will help you find a buyer quickly.
If selling seems like too much work or your mattress has some minor wear, giving it away is a wonderful option. Donating a clean, usable mattress can provide a comfortable place to sleep for someone in your community. A good night’s rest is vital for health, and your donation can make a real difference. Start by checking with local charities, furniture banks, or shelters. Organizations like The Salvation Army or Habitat for Humanity ReStores sometimes accept mattress donations, but be sure to call first, as many have strict hygiene policies. Some may even offer to pick the item up for free. If you can’t find a charity, listing it for free on a local “Buy Nothing” group is another great way to help a neighbor.
There are stipulations to donating your used mattress and not every donation station will accept a used mattress, so before loading it up or strapping it to the roof of your car, make sure you call ahead.
Patriots and Paws located in Huntington Beach accept beddings and box springs; in fact, it is on their ‘most-wanted’ items list.
Off The Streets Huntington Beach also accepts mattress donations, as well as box springs. They use their donations to outfit homes in an effort to provide homes for the homeless.
Before you start looking for a donation center, it’s important to give your mattress an honest assessment. Charities have strict health and safety standards, and they can only accept items that are in gently used condition. This ensures the next person who receives it gets a clean, safe, and comfortable bed. Taking a few minutes to check your mattress first will save you, and the charity, a lot of time and effort.
Most organizations require a mattress to be free of any major issues. Think about what you’d be comfortable receiving. This means no significant stains, rips, or tears in the fabric. The structure should be sound, without any broken springs or coils poking out. It also needs to be free from any pests like bedbugs, which is a major health concern for charities. A good rule of thumb is if the mattress is excessively saggy, lumpy, or has a noticeable odor, it’s likely past its prime for donation. These standards are in place to protect the health of the recipient and ensure your donation is truly helpful.
Once you’ve confirmed your mattress is in good shape, a little prep work goes a long way. Start by stripping off all the bedding and giving the entire surface a thorough vacuum to remove any dust, hair, or debris. To protect it during transport and show the charity it’s clean, it’s a great idea to wrap it securely in a plastic mattress bag. You can find these at most moving supply or home improvement stores. Some people even attach a small note confirming the mattress is clean and has been kept in a pest-free home. This simple step makes the process smoother for everyone involved.
Finding the right place to take your mattress is the next step. While many charities accept furniture, mattresses are a special case due to hygiene regulations. Your best bet is to call ahead to confirm that a location accepts them and to ask about their specific drop-off or pickup procedures. Options generally fall into two categories: large national organizations and smaller local charities.
Several well-known national charities often accept mattress donations, but policies can vary by location. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore, The Salvation Army, and Goodwill are great places to start your search. Because each store or chapter operates somewhat independently, you’ll need to contact your local branch directly. A quick phone call or visit to their local website will tell you if they’re currently accepting mattresses and what their condition requirements are. Some may even offer a pickup service, which can be a huge help.
Don’t overlook the smaller, community-focused organizations in your area. Local homeless shelters, women’s shelters, and furniture banks are often in direct contact with families and individuals transitioning into new homes who desperately need basic furnishings. These groups can sometimes be harder to find, but a quick online search for “furniture bank near me” or “homeless shelter donations [your city]” can yield great results. As we mentioned, local Orange County organizations like Patriots and Paws and Off The Streets Huntington Beach specifically request mattresses, showing just how high the local demand can be. These donations make a direct and immediate impact on your neighbors.
Donating your gently used mattress does more than just clear out space in your home—it provides comfort and dignity to someone in need. A good night’s sleep is fundamental to health and well-being, and your donation can give that gift to a family starting over or an individual getting back on their feet. Beyond the human impact, you’re also making a great choice for the environment. Mattresses are bulky and difficult to break down, taking up a massive amount of space in landfills. By donating, you extend the life of your mattress and contribute to a more sustainable community. If your mattress isn’t eligible for donation, the next best thing is responsible disposal. Rather than sending it to the dump, a professional service like Junk Smiths can ensure it’s recycled properly, breaking it down into its core components so the materials can be reused.
You can schedule a bulk item pick up with your local trash pick up. This is allowed four times per year and includes up to ten items. Bulk items includes furniture, appliances, mattresses and bagged trash up to 40 lbs.
However, the implications of dumping a mattress in a landfill are great. You should utilize that new bedding and sleep on it.
More than 300 mattresses and box springs are in just one landfill each day. Bedding don’t break down easily. So if you were to recycle your used mattress, you would save 28 cubic feet of landfill space per mattress.
One of the most straightforward ways to handle an old mattress is to schedule a bulk item pickup through your local city’s waste management service. In many areas, like here in Orange County, residents are often allowed a certain number of free bulk pickups per year. This service typically covers large items like furniture, appliances, and, yes, mattresses. You’ll need to check your local city’s specific rules, but it usually involves calling ahead or scheduling online to get on their route. While this option is convenient, it’s important to remember that it often means your mattress is headed directly to a landfill, where it takes up significant space and doesn’t break down easily. It’s a practical solution, but not always the most environmentally friendly one.
If your mattress is still in great shape—free of stains, rips, and structural issues—donating it is a fantastic option. Many charitable organizations will gladly take it off your hands to help a family in need. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore often accept mattress donations and may even offer a pickup service. The key is to call your local donation center first to confirm they accept mattresses and to understand their condition requirements. This simple step ensures your old bed finds a new home instead of contributing to landfill waste, making it a choice you can feel good about. It’s a wonderful way to give back to the community while clearing out your space.
Many charities that accept large furniture items offer a free pickup service, which is a huge help when you’re dealing with something as bulky as a mattress. The process is usually simple: you contact them, describe the item, and schedule a time for their truck to come by. However, keep in mind that “free” often comes with a longer wait time. As noted by some Habitat for Humanity branches, scheduling a free pickup can take anywhere from one to three weeks, depending on their volunteer availability and route schedule. If you’re not in a rush and can plan ahead, this is an excellent, cost-effective solution. But if you need that mattress gone quickly to make room for your new one, you might need a faster alternative.
What if you want to donate but can’t wait several weeks for a free pickup? Some charities offer a solution by partnering with third-party logistics companies for a paid, priority service. This allows you to schedule a much faster pickup, sometimes even for the next day, for a fee. While the pickup fee itself isn’t tax-deductible, the value of your donated mattress is. This gives you the convenience of speed while still supporting a good cause. Alternatively, for immediate and reliable removal, a professional service like Junk Smiths can be your best bet. We offer same-day service and handle all the heavy lifting, ensuring your mattress is disposed of responsibly through recycling or donation whenever possible, without the long wait.
Bye-Bye Mattress is a program that was founded in 2015 by law and is operated by the Mattress Recycling Council. Bye-Bye Mattress charges a fee of $10.50 for each bedding and box spring sold that covers the recycling of your old mattress and box spring into new and useful products. Residents can drop off their old mattress at collection sites, or you can opt to have the retailer you purchased a new bedding from take your old one away.
Even if you purchased your mattress in another state but now reside in Huntington Beach, California, your bedding is still eligible for free recycling.
Ever wonder what actually happens when you recycle a mattress? It’s not just tossed into a single machine; it’s a careful process of deconstruction. At a specialized facility, each mattress is manually taken apart to separate its core components, ensuring that as much material as possible is diverted from the landfill. This hands-on approach is the key to cleanly separating the foam, fabric, wood, and metal springs. The primary goal is to give these materials a second life, turning what would be a bulky piece of waste into a valuable resource for other industries and a much more sustainable choice for the environment.
Once a mattress is deconstructed, each material starts a new journey. The metal springs are extracted and sent to scrap recyclers, where they are melted down to create new steel parts. The soft polyurethane foam is shredded and can be repurposed into carpet padding, insulation, or even pet bedding. Any wood from the box spring or frame is often chipped for landscape mulch or used as a fuel source. Even the fabrics and fibers are compressed and utilized for various industrial applications. It’s a fascinating cycle that transforms an old, unwanted item into the building blocks for something new and useful.
When you’re buying a new mattress, one of the easiest disposal options might be right in front of you. Many mattress retailers offer “take-back” or “haul-away” services, where their delivery team will remove your old mattress when they bring your new one. This is an incredibly convenient way to handle the problem, as it all happens in a single visit. Be sure to ask your salesperson about this service before you finalize your purchase, as some may include it for free while others charge a small fee. It’s a simple question that can save you a lot of future hassle.
If your retailer doesn’t offer a take-back program, or if you’re simply getting rid of a spare mattress without making a new purchase, a professional service can handle the logistics for you. At Junk Smiths, we manage the heavy lifting and make sure your old mattress is transported to the proper recycling facility, making the entire process completely stress-free.
Junk Smiths cares about the environment and does everything that they can to reduce landfill waste. If your bedding is in good condition, we will be happy to locate a donation station and transport it for donation.
If you are unable to transport your bedding to a local recycling center, contact Junk Smiths and we will gladly solve your mattress removal needs.
Junk Smiths prides themselves on timely service. Also, we will be at your location ready to remove your mattress within 24-hours from the time your contact us.
So don’t hesitate, contact Junk Smiths today.
While donating or selling your mattress are great first thoughts, they aren’t always realistic. Donation centers have strict standards to ensure the health and safety of the next user. If your mattress has seen better days, your best bet is to call in a professional. This is especially true for property managers or real estate agents who need to clear out a unit quickly and can’t risk leaving behind an item that doesn’t meet donation criteria. A professional service removes the guesswork and the heavy lifting, ensuring the mattress is handled correctly from the start.
For a charity to accept a used mattress, it generally must be free of any major stains, tears, pests, or structural damage like broken springs or significant sagging. If your mattress has any of these issues, it will likely be rejected. Instead of getting stuck with an unwanted mattress after being turned away, consider a professional junk removal service. At Junk Smiths, we handle mattresses in any condition. We assess the item and determine the most responsible path forward, whether that’s a specialized recycling facility or proper disposal, saving you the time and hassle of figuring it out yourself.
Choosing a professional service is also a powerful vote for sustainability. Mattresses are bulky and don’t decompose in landfills, with each one taking up nearly 30 cubic feet of precious space. A responsible junk removal company will prioritize recycling. We partner with programs like Bye Bye Mattress to ensure that up to 80% of the materials in your old mattress—including steel springs, foam, and wood—are recovered and turned into new products. This keeps tons of waste out of our local landfills and supports a circular economy, making it an easy, eco-conscious choice for homeowners and businesses alike.
Now that you know the right ways to handle an old mattress, it’s just as important to cover what you should never do. Taking shortcuts can lead to fines, environmental damage, and even serious safety hazards. Disposing of a mattress isn’t as simple as leaving it out with your regular trash, and trying to get rid of it improperly can cause more problems than it solves. Before you act, make sure you aren’t considering one of these common mistakes that can get you into trouble with your city or HOA.
It might be tempting to drag your old mattress to the curb or leave it by a commercial dumpster, but this is considered illegal dumping. Abandoning a mattress makes neighborhoods look neglected, can attract pests, and is against city ordinances in Huntington Beach and across Orange County. Property managers and real estate agents, in particular, can face significant fines and tenant complaints for items left in common areas or on the street. The simplest way to avoid any legal trouble is to schedule a proper pickup, whether it’s through the city’s limited bulk item service or a reliable junk removal company.
Under no circumstances should you ever try to burn a mattress. This is incredibly dangerous for several reasons. First, mattresses are highly flammable and can create a large, uncontrollable fire in minutes. Second, they are manufactured with chemicals and synthetic materials like polyurethane foam and flame retardants. When burned, these materials release a cocktail of toxic pollutants into the air, which are harmful to your health and the environment. For the safety of yourself, your family, and your neighbors, always stick to professional removal or recycling options instead of fire.
My mattress has a small stain or a little bit of sagging. Can I still donate it? Charities have to be very strict about the mattresses they accept to ensure they are safe and clean for the next person. Generally, any visible stains, tears, sagging, or odors will disqualify a mattress from being donated. Before you go through the trouble of hauling it somewhere, it’s best to call the donation center directly to confirm their specific requirements. If it’s not in good enough shape for donation, a professional service is your best bet for responsible recycling.
I need my mattress gone by tomorrow. What’s the fastest option? If speed is your top priority, scheduling a professional junk removal service is your most reliable choice. While options like free charity pickups are wonderful, they often require you to schedule weeks in advance. City bulk pickup also runs on a set schedule that might not align with your timeline. A company like Junk Smiths can typically offer same-day or next-day service, handling all the heavy lifting and logistics for you right away.
Is using my city’s free bulk pickup the same as recycling? Not usually. While using your city’s bulk pickup service is convenient, it often means your mattress is taken directly to a landfill. Mattresses take up a huge amount of landfill space and don’t break down easily. Choosing a service that partners with a dedicated recycling program ensures the mattress is deconstructed, and its materials—like metal, foam, and wood—are recovered and reused.
What’s the most affordable way to get rid of a mattress? If your mattress is in excellent condition, selling it or giving it away for free on a local marketplace is the most budget-friendly route. If it’s eligible for donation, finding a charity that offers a free pickup service is another great no-cost option, though it may take longer. For mattresses that can’t be donated, your city’s bulk pickup is often included with your waste services, but remember the environmental trade-off.
I’m a landlord and need to clear out an entire apartment, not just a mattress. What should I do? When you’re dealing with a full property cleanout, coordinating different disposal methods for furniture, appliances, and other junk becomes complicated and time-consuming. In this situation, hiring a professional junk removal company is the most efficient solution. A single service can clear out everything at once, ensuring all items are sorted for donation, recycling, or proper disposal, which saves you time and helps you get the unit ready for new tenants faster.
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