What to Do With an Old Mattress? 7 Options Ranked [2026]

Yes, but only if it is in good condition — no stains, rips, sagging, or bed bug history. Most charities refuse mattresses with visible wear because of health regulations.

Organizations that accept mattress donations:

• •Salvation Army: Accepts clean mattresses in good condition. Offers free pickup in many areas. Call your local chapter to schedule.
• •Habitat for Humanity ReStore: Accepts gently used mattresses at some locations. Policies vary by region.
• •Furniture banks: Over 80 furniture banks across the US distribute mattresses to families transitioning out of homelessness. Search for your local furniture bank through the Furniture Bank Association.
• •Sleepyhead Beds: A nonprofit that collects and redistributes mattresses in Kansas City and several other metros.

Always call before donating. If your mattress has any stains or structural damage, donation will not be an option and you will need to dispose of it instead.

Up to 90% of a mattress is recyclable — metal springs, wood, foam, and cotton can all be reclaimed. Three states offer free mattress recycling through the Bye Bye Mattress program run by the Mattress Recycling Council:

• •California: Free drop-off at hundreds of locations statewide
• •Connecticut: Free drop-off through participating collection sites
• •Rhode Island: Free drop-off, over 330,000 mattresses recycled so far

In other states, check your local transfer station or recycling center. Many accept mattresses for $10–$30. Some cities like Springfield, MO run their own recycling programs that deconstruct mattresses and sell the raw materials to manufacturers.

If no recycling option exists near you, disassembling the mattress yourself lets you recycle the metal springs at a scrap yard ($5–$15 value) and send the wood frame to yard waste.

Most mattress retailers that offer removal with delivery send old mattresses to a recycling facility or a landfill. They do not resell or refurbish them. Some specifics:

• •Mattress Firm: Offers old mattress removal with new purchase for a fee (typically $49.99). Mattresses are sent to recycling facilities where available.
• •Casper: Partners with recycling programs in select cities for returns and old mattress disposal.
• •Local retailers: Policies vary widely. Some charge $25–$75 for haul-away, others include it free with purchase.

The catch: retailer removal is only available when you buy a new mattress. If you just need to get rid of an old mattress without buying a replacement, you need a standalone removal option.

You can sell a used mattress if it is in good condition, though demand is limited. Expect $20–$100 for a clean, name-brand mattress that is less than 8 years old.

• •Facebook Marketplace: The most active platform for used mattresses. Free listings, local pickup.
• •Craigslist: Free listings under "furniture by owner." Price it low ($20–$50) for faster pickup.
• •OfferUp and Nextdoor: Smaller audience but strong local reach.

Tip: Pricing your mattress at $0 (free) often gets faster responses than pricing it at $20. Some states like California have laws requiring disclosure that a mattress is used, so check local regulations before listing.

Mattress removal costs $0 to $250+ depending on the method. Here is what each option actually costs:

• •City bulk pickup: Free in most municipalities. You schedule online or by phone, then place the mattress at the curb on the designated day. The wait is typically 2–8 weeks.
• •Dropcurb: $79 flat rate for curbside mattress pickup. Same-day availability. Book online in 60 seconds.
• •1-800-GOT-JUNK: $150–$250+ depending on location. No upfront pricing — requires an in-person estimate.
• •LoadUp: $95 average per mattress. Online booking with 2–3 day scheduling.
• •Landfill self-haul: $20–$50 in tipping fees. Requires a truck or trailer and your own labor.
• •Dumpster rental: $250–$400 for a 10-yard dumpster. Only makes sense if you have multiple items to dispose of.

If you are replacing a full mattress set, most removal options accept both the mattress and box spring together. Pricing for the pair:

• •Dropcurb: $79 for the mattress + $29 for the box spring = $108 total for same-day curbside pickup
• •1-800-GOT-JUNK: $200–$350+ for the set (in-person estimate required)
• •City bulk pickup: Free for both items, but you may need to schedule each as a separate bulk item depending on your city
• •Donation: Most charities that accept mattresses also accept matching box springs

If the box spring is in worse condition than the mattress, you can donate one and dispose of the other separately. There is no rule that says they have to go together.

In most cities, leaving a mattress on the curb without a scheduled bulk pickup is illegal and can result in fines from $50 to $500. Cities like New York require mattresses to be sealed in a plastic bag before curbside placement to prevent bed bug spread — violating this rule carries a $100 fine.

The right way to curb a mattress:

• •Schedule a city bulk pickup or a junk removal service first
• •Place the mattress at the curb on the designated pickup day, not before
• •In NYC and several other cities, wrap the mattress in plastic
• •Keep the mattress inside or in your garage until the scheduled date

With Dropcurb, you place the mattress at the curb and book online. A hauler picks it up the same day — no fines, no waiting weeks.