It’s been over ten years, and you’ve decided it’s time to invest in a new mattress. You’ve spent hours at the retailer and found the best mattress for you. Now you’ve got to figure out what to do with that old eyesore in your bedroom!
Although many mattress companies remove old mattresses when they deliver a new one, oftentimes you’re left stuck with the burden of getting rid of it. And as much as you’d like to leave your mattress out on the curb for trash day, plenty of old mattresses end up in landfills, which can harm our environment.
To help you decide what to do with your old mattress, we’ve compiled a list of alternatives that will put it to good use and get you into your new mattress sooner.
Find a friend or family member: Do you have a family member going off to college or a friend moving into a new apartment? You might be able to contribute to their expenses by giving them a temporary or permanent mattress to sleep on.
Make a donation to Goodwill or Salvation Army: If you have a Goodwill or Salvation Army near you, you can drop off your mattress and write off the donation on your taxes. Although you may consider your mattress to be old, many people will still see it as something new.
Look for another shelter: Plenty of disaster relief, homeless and women’s shelters are in need of donations, especially mattresses. Get a receipt and write the charity off on your taxes while contributing to a good cause.
Sell it: Craigslist and other online markets are a great resource for selling items fast, and there are sure to be people awaiting a decently priced mattress. If you want to make a profit, get your mattress thoroughly cleaned and sell it for an affordable price.
Go to a recycling center: Many mattresses (which are 90% recyclable) are wasted, primarily because recycling centers that take mattresses are few and far between. Landfills can sometimes offer recycling services, but they are also a rare find. If you are determined to properly dispose of your mattress.
Give an animal a new bed: Your local animal shelter may accept your used mattress and use it to provide a comfortable bed for pets awaiting adoption. Dog kennels and daycares may also be interested. You’ll need to have the mattress professionally cleaned before you donate it.
Use the parts: If you’re into repurposing, consider taking apart your mattress and using it for other projects. The buttons on mattresses can be sewed onto clothing and the stuffing can be used to stuff pillows. The wooden slats can be used as fire wood or for a carpentry project, and the springs can be used in a garden for climbing plants.
Start composting: If you’re unable to find a recycling center, use your mattress to begin building a compost bin. The wooden frame can contribute to the bin’s exterior while the mattress stuffing or foam padding can be used to keep your compost pile warm.
Leave it to us: When you purchase a new mattress and have it delivered to your home, we will haul away your old mattress at no cost. We will take it to a recycling center where it will be properly disposed.
