How to Get Rid of an Old Mattress: Haul-Away, Donation and Recycling

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Start with the seller who is delivering your new bed and ask about haul-away. If that is not offered, your options are a mattress recycling program where one operates, a charity that accepts used furniture, your city's bulky-item pickup, or a private hauler. Which one fits depends on where you live, the bed's condition and how fast it has to go. Call ahead for any of them, because rules vary by place.

Start with the seller who is delivering the new bed

Many retailers and some online sellers offer to take the old mattress when the new one arrives. Policies and fees vary, so ask three things at checkout: whether removal is offered, whether it costs extra, and what condition the old bed must be in. Get the answer in writing, because delivery-day promises from a driver are hard to enforce.

If you are buying online, read how delivery works before you commit; our guide to buying online vs in-store lists the questions. Returns follow separate rules; see trial and return policies before you give your old bed away, in case you need to switch back.

Mattress recycling programs

The Mattress Recycling Council, an industry nonprofit, runs recycling programs in states that have passed mattress recycling laws. As of October 2026, its page lists operating programs in California, Connecticut, Oregon and Rhode Island, and its consumer site, Bye Bye Mattress, points visitors to a state page and a "Find a Location" tool.

In states without a program, that site says it is not active but links to a list of recyclers across the country, and suggests contacting your city or waste hauler about bulky-item disposal. The pages we read did not address fees or the condition a bed has to be in, so ask the facility. State laws change, so check the current list for where you live.

Donating a mattress

Some charities take mattresses and some do not, and policy varies by location. The Salvation Army's donation FAQ lists mattresses under unbroken furniture, says its thrift stores accept items that are gently used, and notes that acceptance varies by location because of local ordinances and need. It advises calling to confirm before donating. The page does not mention box springs, so ask about those separately.

Other charities set their own rules. Expect a bed that is clean, intact and free of stains and odors to be a candidate, and a worn or damaged bed to be declined. If the answer is no, you have lost nothing but a phone call, and the alternatives below still apply.

City bulky-item pickup and haulers

Many cities and waste haulers offer a bulky-item pickup, sometimes by appointment and sometimes with a fee or a wrapping requirement. Do not set a mattress at the curb without checking, since some places fine illegal dumping. Call the sanitation department or check its website for scheduling and rules.

A private junk-removal service is the fastest option and usually the most expensive. Get at least two quotes, ask what the quote includes, and ask whether they recycle or donate what they take. Some will carry it out of the bedroom, which is useful for stairs or tight turns.

If the bed has bed bugs, stains or damage

Tell whoever is taking the bed. A hauler, recycler or charity needs to know before pickup, because pests can spread in a truck or a warehouse. Seal the mattress in a plastic mattress bag and do not drag it through shared hallways without covering it. A pest professional or your local health or waste authority can say what is allowed in your area.

A badly stained, wet or moldy bed will usually be refused by charities. That leaves the seller, a recycler that accepts it, bulky pickup or a hauler. Ask each what they accept before you commit.

Prep and timing

• Pick the exit before the new bed arrives. Book pickups for the same day or the day after delivery.
• Strip the bed, wash the bedding and take off any topper or protector you want to keep.
• Measure doorways and stairwells if the bed is heavy, and plan for two people.
• Take a photo of the old bed if a charity or hauler asks for one.
• Do not break the mattress apart yourself unless a recycler asks. It is hard work and can tear the cover.

Think about the foundation too. A box spring or old base may need its own disposal route, and our guide on whether you need a box spring helps you decide if the new bed needs a new one.

Make the next one easier to retire

A protector keeps a mattress cleaner, which widens your options when it is time to move on, since charities and recyclers are easier to work with when the bed is clean. See our protector guide. If you are still deciding whether the old bed is really done, read when to replace your mattress first.