Eventually, you’re going to have to replace your mattress. And when you do, it would be handy to have a mattress removal checklist.

And that is precisely why we created one here. Now, getting rid of your used mattress won’t have to be a major undertaking.

People find that mattress removal and disposal can be challenging. Not everyone wants them. You can’t just dump them anywhere. And there are laws around how and where to dispose of them. 

In fact, three states - California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island - have enacted mattress recycling laws that require manufacturers and retailers to dispose of old mattresses when new ones are sold and delivered. But everyone else is on their own!

Steps to Take Prior to Mattress Removal

There are a few things you should do before disposing of your old mattress, especially if it’s in good condition and can be reused:

1. Determine how you want to dispose of your old mattress. If it’s still usable can it be sold or donated, or should it be taken to a disposal or recycling facility?
2. If you’re taking it to a facility such as a landfill, bag and seal the mattress in a mattress bag. This is often required by law to protect against the spread of bed bugs.
3. If you are going to sell or donate your mattress, inspect it carefully for any holes, tears, mold or large stains, burns, or other noticeable damage.

Unless you are buying a new mattress and the retailer (or manufacturer) takes your old one away for you, you must figure out how you’re going to get rid of your old one.

Essentially, there are five options:

• Donating or Giving Away
• Selling
• Reusing or Repurposing
• Recycling
• Junk Removal
  

To that end, we’ve created this handy Mattress Removal Checklist for you:

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Let’s look at some of these disposal options:

Donating or Giving It Away

If the mattress is still usable, consider donating it to those in need. There are many non-profits that will take moderately used mattress, and many offer free pick-up service or convenient local drop-off locations.

Keep in mind, however, that some charities do not accept any mattresses so be sure to check ahead before transporting your unwanted mattress.

Here are a few national charities that may receive old or used mattresses:

The Salvation Army has a large network of local sites that accept mattress donations, and you can schedule a time for one of their trucks to pick your old mattress up.

Goodwill Industries operates thrift stores across the U.S. and most include a donation center. Some no longer take mattress donations so be sure to call before attempting to donate.

Habitat for Humanity International is a worldwide company working to ensure that everyone has a safe place to call home. They accept mattress donation drop-offs at multiple locations.

Selling Your Mattress

If the mattress you’ve replaced is relatively new, you can try selling it for cash. You can try a yard sale, local classified ads, and online venues. Here are steps to selling your old mattress:

Step 1: Determine a Fair Price

Only expect to get about 20 to 30 percent of the original product price.

Step 2: Research Mattress Resale Laws and Regulations

In some states, used mattresses must be properly cleaned and disinfected before they can be sold by anyone, including private individuals. Various states require new cover ticking while other states prohibit re-covering mattress to prevent hiding stains or physical damage.

Step 3: Choose a Selling Venue

• Craigslist is an online classified advertisement site. You can place a free ad in your local area offering your mattress for sale.
• Facebook Marketplace is also a great way to check with your own personal network for anyone looking for a new mattress.
• Nextdoor is a social networking service for neighborhoods that allows “For free” and sale items to be listed locally.

Step 4: Write Your Ad

Be sure to include the following:

• The mattress size (e.g. King, Queen, etc.) and height in inches
• The construction type
• The age of the mattress in years
• If used as a primary bed or a guest bed
• If a mattress pad or protective sheet was used

Reusing or Repurposing

Yes, you can find new uses for your old mattress. Here are a few ways an old mattress can be taken apart and the materials reused for different purposes

• Remove all springs and other steel parts from your mattress and sell them for scrap. scrap yards and metal recyclers in your area can be found online.
• Mattress springs can be used to create metal wreath displays, tree ornaments, and a wide range of arts and crafts.
• Buttons, braiding and other decorative materials can be repurposed for craft or sewing projects.
• Memory foam mattress material can be used as a bed for your dog or cat. Other uses include DIY chair cushions, pillows, dishwashing sponges and filler for stuffed animals.
• Mattress fibers can be reused as padding or insulation.
• Fabric covering from your old mattress can be made into throwaway rugs for the garage, shed or utility room.
• The wooden parts of mattresses can be used as firewood or craft projects.

Remember to be careful when dismantling a mattress as the metal springs have sharp parts that can cause injury.

Recycling

About 80 to 90 percent of the average mattress can be recycled to create new products. This includes the springs, foam, upholstery, wooden parts and the box spring, if there is one.

To properly recycle your old mattress yourself, you need to locate a recycling center near your that accepts them. Online resources such as Earth911.org or ByeByeMattress.com allow you to search for recycling centers in your geographic area that accept mattresses.

Large Junk Removal Services

If you aren’t close to any thrift stores or recycling centers, or you simply don’t want to bother with those options, contact the waste management service in your town or city and ask if they provide mattress pickup. If they do, it may require a special work order and the removal may have to be on a day other than your typical trash collection day.

If they don’t, then a junk removal service may be your best bet. 

Points for hiring a firm for mattress removal :

• Estimate the weight of the mattress.
• Twin mattresses: about 45 pounds.
• Full size mattresses: average 55 pounds.
• Queen size mattresses: around 70 pounds.
• Kings / California Kings: up to 90 pounds.
• Research the junk removal services available in your area and compare prices.
• Keep in mind that most providers charge by weight, while some only charge by volume.
• Watch out for per-item removal costs.
• Because of dwindling landfill space and the push for landfill conservation and green disposal methods look for a company that will recycle or donate used mattresses before sending them to the dump.

Junk King's Mattress Removal Service

Junk King provides an efficient, safe and eco-friendly mattress disposal service to make the whole process easy for you. Our experienced mattress removal team will have the manpower to haul off that mattress and bed frame without damaging any of your home on the way out.

Ready to get rid of your old mattress? It’s as simple as 1, 2, 3. You make an appointment by booking online above or by calling 1.888.888.JUNK (5865).

Our professional and insured mattress disposal team will show up at your home or office; we call 15 minutes before we arrive on site and we’ll give you a free estimate based on how much room your items take up in our truck. You point and we haul your items into our junk removal trucks, with no hidden fees.