Your Old Mattress Doesn’t Need to End Up in the Dump. Here’s How How I Donated My Gently Used Bed

I recently got a new mattress, the Midnight Helix Luxe, and I’ve been testing it at home for a few months now (full article coming soon). However, this required my boyfriend and me to switch out our old Casper Select mattress. While we were relieved to finally find a bed that worked for both of us, we still had to figure out what to do with our old mattress we had no space to store.

The hardest part about getting a new bed is getting rid of your old one. Here’s everything I did to remove my old mattress and how I met some cool people along the way. 

My old mattress had to go

My boyfriend and I live in a smaller house, so it was hard to ignore the extra queen-sized mattress leaning against our bedroom wall. The easiest and most convenient option would have been to leave it out on the street and schedule a bulk pick-up with our city. In our area, this service is free. However, I didn’t want my old mattress to end up in a landfill. 

My old Casper was, first and foremost, not that old — we had it for less than three years and it was in great shape. Although we have two dogs, we always kept a mattress protector on the bed and tried to keep it as clean as possible. There were no tears or rips in the cover. While all-foam mattresses like ours deteriorate faster than hybrid beds, ours had plenty of years left in it. The bed could still go to someone who needs it. 

I started the removal process with friends and family. My boyfriend and I sent texts to our loved ones in the nearby area to see if anyone was looking for a new mattress. I also looked into Facebook Marketplace and local groups that bought and sold items. Unfortunately, we were out of luck and stuck with the Casper for a little while longer. 

After exhausting easier options, I looked for places we could take it. Simple Google searches told me that the Goodwill in my area doesn’t accept used mattresses, and the thought of fitting the bed in my car to drop it off somewhere was another beast. Further research brought me to a local organization that accepts furniture and mattress donations — and, better yet, will pick it up from your home. 

Local non-profits for gently used mattresses

Beds for Kids is a non-profit organization located in Charlotte, North Carolina. I was familiar with it before starting my research because it partners with many local businesses. The organization’s philanthropy is simple: It aims to provide beds and essential furniture to families in need. 

This non-profit accepts various furniture donations of box springs, cribs, dressers, small tables, new bed linens, new pillows, new mattress protectors, new blankets and quilts and, of course, mattresses. Zach Smith, the non-profit’s director of operations, told CNET, “In 2023, we received 3,900 donated mattresses.” That’s almost 4,000 beds out of the landfill and in families’ homes that need them.

In addition to donations from locals, Beds for Kids also receives donated mattresses from larger corporations and universities. For example, the University of North Carolina Charlotte donates its used dorm beds. “[Universities] change them out every five years or so. We love these mattresses because they are a durable fabric that is waterproof and bed bug-resistant,” said Smith.

Beds for Kids also partners with Ashley Homestore through its licensee, Broad River Retail. Smith said, “Broad River has been a partner of ours since our beginning. They donate new mattresses, but they also encourage folks who are purchasing new beds and furniture to donate their old items to us if the condition meets our standards. This partnership is instrumental in how we serve and allows us to continue to receive the inventory we need to serve families in our community.”

How your bed goes to a family in need

My donation process to Bed for Kids was seamless. After submitting an inquiry on the website, I was contacted by inventory manager, Will Lineberry. I then sent a few pictures of the mattress to ensure that it was in good condition. We scheduled a pick-up time, and then two team members carried the bed out of my house and into their truck. Pick-up required a $30 tax-deductible fee, but drop-off donations are free.  

Since these donated mattresses go directly to someone who needs them, a bed needs to meet a few requirements. Smith said, “We require [used mattresses] to be less than eight years old with no rips, tears or stains. The brand does not matter.” Keep in mind that these requirements are specific to this local organization. An organization that accepts mattresses near you might have stricter or looser guidelines.  

Once out of your hands, the bed then goes through an inspection and a cleaning process. “After we receive the donated mattresses, we send them to be sanitized at a place called Carolina Dry Heat to ensure that they are clean and free of bed bugs.” With any used mattresses, bed bugs are always the main concern. 

In 2023, Beds for Kids made a record of 1,002 deliveries to families in the area. With the help of 2,783 volunteers, they served 3,948 people in need. “We feel passionately that we are creating a space where furniture companies, colleges and individuals can sustainably donate their mattresses,” concluded Smith.

Other options for getting rid of your old bed

If you can’t find a local charity to donate to or can’t transport your donation to somewhere that accepts old mattresses, here are a few options that might be in your area:

• Bulk pick-up: If this service is offered, you can leave a mattress out on your street and schedule a time for your city to come pick it up. 
• Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity: Some Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity locations accept mattress donations. Check your local websites.  
• ReSupply: This Veteran-founded and owned organization picks up furniture in any condition.
• Friends or family members: Reach out to friends and family to see if they need a mattress.
• Mattress brands: Some mattress brands will pick up your old mattress when you buy a new one. 
• Local buy and sell groups: Try selling or giving away your gently used mattress on Facebook Marketplace, Freecycle Network, Nextdoor or Craigslist.
• Recycling services: A Bedder World is a nationwide mattress recycling and disposal service that picks up your bed from your home. 
• Local shelters: Some homeless shelters may take mattress donations.
• Upcycling and DIY crafts: Stuff your pet’s bed with extra foam, use the coils as a wine rack or create a wooden box out of foundation slants.

Bottom line, try to keep your mattress out of the landfill. I know that this isn’t possible for every mattress: Some are too old or torn up to be given to someone new. But, according to the Mattress Recycling Council, more than 75% of a mattress is recyclable. This includes materials such as foam, steel coils, some fibers and sometimes wood. Chances are there are places in your area that either recycle old beds or accept donations. 

I’m fortunate to have found an organization that not only made the donation process easy but left me feeling good about where my old bed was going.