How to Get Rid of an Old Bed: 7 Disposal Options [2026]

The easiest way to get rid of an old bed is curbside junk removal. Move the mattress, box spring, and frame to the curb, book a pickup online, and a hauler takes everything in one trip. No disassembly required. No loading it into your car. No waiting weeks for the city.

A complete bed set includes a mattress, box spring, and frame. Some people also need to dispose of headboards, footboards, and side rails. Most junk removal services accept all of these pieces in a single pickup.

The right disposal method depends on three things: how fast you need it gone, whether the bed is still usable, and how much you want to spend.

Getting rid of an old bed costs $0 to $350+ depending on the method and how many pieces you have.

Dropcurb charges $79 for curbside bed pickup. That covers a mattress, box spring, and frame in one trip. Additional pieces (headboard, side rails) cost $19-29 each. Book online and a local hauler picks up the same day in most areas.

1-800-GOT-JUNK charges $150-350+ for bed removal. Their two-person crew enters your home, carries the bed out, and loads it onto their truck. The higher price covers labor and the in-home service. Their minimum load charge starts at $150 in most markets.

LoadUp charges $89-170 for bed pickup depending on the number of pieces. A single mattress starts at $89. Add a box spring and frame and the total reaches $140-170.

City bulk pickup is free in most municipalities but limited to one or two items per collection period. Many cities do not accept mattresses through bulk pickup due to bed bug concerns and recycling mandates. Call 311 to confirm.

Dumpster rental costs $200-350 for a 10-yard container. Only makes sense if you have additional junk to dispose of beyond the bed.

Yes, but only if the bed is in good condition with no stains, tears, structural damage, or signs of bed bugs.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore accepts bed frames and headboards in good condition. They accept mattresses only in select locations. Most ReStores do not accept mattresses due to hygiene policies. Check your local ReStore website before scheduling a donation pickup.

Salvation Army accepts complete bed sets (mattress, box spring, frame) if they are clean and functional. They offer free pickup in many cities. Schedule online at satruck.org or call 1-800-728-7825. Wait times average 1-2 weeks.

Goodwill does not accept mattresses at most locations. They accept bed frames and headboards at some stores. Policies vary by franchise location.

Furniture banks accept beds for families transitioning out of homelessness. The Furniture Bank Network has 80+ locations across the U.S. that accept mattresses in good condition.

Most people replacing a bed need to get rid of the mattress and box spring at the same time. Here are the specific options for mattress disposal:

Mattress recycling facilities break down mattresses into steel springs, foam, cotton, and wood. Over 80% of mattress materials are recyclable. The Mattress Recycling Council operates Bye Bye Mattress programs in California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island with free drop-off locations. Other states charge $0-30 per mattress at recycling centers.

City rules vary. Some municipalities ban mattresses from bulk pickup entirely. Others require mattresses to be wrapped in plastic before curbside collection. A few cities (Portland, San Francisco, Seattle) have mandatory mattress recycling laws.

Never leave a mattress on the curb without checking local rules first. Illegal dumping fines range from $50 to $1,000+ depending on the city.

Metal and wood bed frames have different disposal paths.

Metal bed frames are fully recyclable. Scrapyards accept them for free and sometimes pay $2-8 depending on weight (a standard queen metal frame weighs 30-50 pounds). Current scrap steel rates run $0.04-0.08 per pound in 2026. Call your local scrapyard before visiting — most accept bed frames without an appointment.

Wood bed frames go to the landfill in most cases. Treated or painted wood is not accepted at recycling centers. Some cities accept untreated wood frames through yard waste programs, but this varies. Solid hardwood frames (oak, walnut, cherry) hold resale value on Facebook Marketplace even when dated.

Upholstered platform beds are the hardest to dispose of. They combine wood, foam, fabric, and sometimes metal. Most donation centers reject them. They are too bulky for regular trash. Junk removal services are typically the best option for platform beds.

It depends on your city. Some municipalities allow bulky items at the curb on specific collection days. Others require you to schedule a pickup in advance.

Cities that allow curbside bulk pickup typically have rules about how items must be placed. Common requirements include:

• •Mattresses must be wrapped in plastic (New York City, Philadelphia, Chicago)
• •Bulk items only on scheduled collection days (most cities)
• •Maximum 2-4 items per collection period
• •Items must be at the curb by 6-7 AM on collection day
• •No blocking sidewalks or storm drains

Leaving a bed on the curb outside of designated collection times can result in illegal dumping fines. Fines range from $50 in smaller cities to $500+ in New York City and Los Angeles.

If your bed is still in decent shape, selling it can offset disposal costs entirely.

Facebook Marketplace is the fastest platform for selling used beds. List the frame with clear photos and measurements. Bed frames sell for $50-300 depending on quality and brand. Mattresses are harder to sell — most buyers avoid used mattresses due to hygiene concerns.

Craigslist and OfferUp are alternatives. Listing as "free" gets the fastest response if you just want it gone.

Avoid selling mattresses with any stains, sagging, or odors. No one will buy a visibly used mattress, and shipping is not practical. Focus on selling the frame and headboard separately — these hold value better than mattresses.