How do I get rid of a couch or sofa?

Getting rid of a couch comes down to two variables: how fast you need it gone and what condition it's in. Here are all six options, ranked from cheapest to most convenient.

Option 1: Sell online (Free, or profit)

Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, and Craigslist are the right first move for any couch in decent condition. You might make $50–$300. The buyer hauls it away.

The reality: selling furniture takes 1–2 weeks for most pieces, and no-shows are common — expect at least one buyer to flake. Couches under $50 are hard to sell. If you're within 10 days of a move-out date or HOA deadline, selling is too slow and unreliable to count on.

Best for: couches in good condition, 3+ weeks of lead time, and patience for buyer coordination.

Option 2: Donate (Free)

Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Habitat for Humanity ReStore offer free pickup for qualifying furniture. Most have online scheduling. Lead time is typically 1–2 weeks.

The hard part: they inspect on arrival and refuse items that don't meet their standards. What disqualifies a couch: any rips exposing foam, pet hair embedded in fabric, noticeable odors, smoke smell, broken springs or frame, significant staining on cushions or fabric. If your couch has any of these, it will be rejected — meaning you've waited 2 weeks and are back to square one.

Best for: couches in genuinely good condition with 2+ weeks of lead time and the flexibility to be home during their pickup window.

Option 3: City bulk pickup (Free)

Most US cities accept couches in scheduled bulk/large-item pickup. Free, but scheduling takes 2–9 weeks depending on your city. Restrictions include pile size limits, a hard curb deadline (usually 7am), and a limit of one or two pickups per scheduling period.

See the full city-by-city breakdown → [Will bulk pickup take a couch?](/faq/will-bulk-pickup-take-my-couch)

Best for: people not on a deadline with standard-sized sofas that fit within pile restrictions.

Option 4: Self-haul to dump ($30–$80)

Rent a pickup truck ($20–$40 from U-Haul), remove the couch cushions, and most standard sofas fit in the bed. Drive to your local transfer station or landfill, pay the disposal fee ($15–$35 per load), done.

Total cost: $35–$75. Time required: 2–4 hours including loading, driving, unloading, return trip. This requires being physically able to load and unload the couch (two people strongly recommended). On moving day or during a busy week, this is often the option that gets skipped — the time and effort cost is real.

Best for: people with access to a truck and a free half-day who don't mind the physical work.

Option 5: Dropcurb ($79, same day)

Book online in about 60 seconds. Select your item, see the exact price, confirm. Move the couch to the curb. A local hauler picks it up by 8pm. You get a photo confirmation when it's done.

No truck, no dump trip, no appointment window, no need to be home. A standard sofa is $79.

Best for: anyone who wants it gone today without the logistics of a dump run or the uncertainty of a donation/sale.

Option 6: Traditional full-service junk removal ($130–$250)

Companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK, LoadUp, and College Hunks send a two-person crew to your home. They give you an on-site estimate (price depends on how much truck space your items take), carry the couch through your home and out to their truck, and dispose of it. You need to be home for the estimate window.

Cost for a single couch: $130–$250. The price premium reflects crew labor, truck overhead, and insurance for entering your home.

Best for: couches that are physically inaccessible — stuck in a basement, up a steep staircase, or otherwise impossible to move to the curb without professional help.

Cost and effort comparison:

Getting a couch to the curb:

Most standard sofas were moved into your home by two people and can be moved out the same way. Tips: (1) remove the legs (usually 4 bolts underneath — takes 2 minutes), (2) slide the couch on a moving blanket or piece of cardboard to protect floors, (3) measure your doorframe width (32–36 inches standard) vs. the couch — most standard sofas fit, but oversized sectional pieces sometimes don't.

For sectionals: most modular sectionals separate into individual pieces. Move each piece separately. Each piece typically counts as a separate item when booking Dropcurb.

Dropcurb multi-item pricing for common couch scenarios: