Does Goodwill Take Old Mattresses?

For those of you wondering, “Does Goodwill take mattresses?” Sadly, they don’t, but they accept all other donations. They do so due to safety and health concerns.

It’s not limited to mattresses only. They don’t accept pillows, bunk beds, bed frames, waterbeds, and hide-a-beds.

These items might be in perfectly good condition, but they might pose a safety and health risk for their staff or the new owners. Hence, Goodwill doesn’t accept items in these categories as donations to keep everyone safe.

Let’s dig down deep and understand why Goodwill thinks this way and what other options you can explore when disposing of your old mattress, so keep on reading.

Goodwill Doesn’t Take Mattresses – Why?

Goodwill did take old mattresses back in the day, but that is no longer the case. They have to go down this route due to the new policies in the US. According to these laws, new mattresses have to be sanitized and refurbished before they are deemed fit for sleeping for the new owners.

Now, this is something that is not cost-effective for Goodwill. So, they stopped taking mattresses. But they do take a range of other bedroom items. These include the likes of curtains, bed sheets, and various furniture that weigh under 25 pounds.

Nevertheless, if you want to donate a mattress that is clean and in pretty good condition, you always have the option to donate it to other schemes and charities.

But if your mattress is not fit for any further use, you might consider disposing of and recycling it properly by contacting a firm specializing in junk removal.

Do They Take Bed Frames or Box Springs?

Like mattresses, Goodwill also doesn’t take box springs; the same is true with bed frames. But they do accept any bedroom furniture that weighs under 25 lbs.

Box springs and bed frames are bulky, so they have excluded these two items from their acceptance list. It’s irrelevant whether your box spring or bed frame is in good condition.

But many other organizations and charities can take your box spring or bed frame (check our mattress foundation disposal and donation tips). But you must ensure that these two items are clean, fit, and undamaged.

You can visit the Furniture Bank Network for more information on which charities or organizations you can reach out to in your local area. So, getting in touch with them before you make any move is better.

Most of them will provide services of picking the box spring or bed frame directly from your house, and they can also take your old mattress, provided that it’s in good shape and clean. You still have the option to donate it to some other charity.

Do They Take Any Bedroom Furniture?

Goodwill does take bedroom furniture, but the items must weigh less than 25 pounds. This is the latest policy that Goodwill has adopted. Nevertheless, they won’t accept box springs, baby cribs, or bed frames, no matter what condition these items are in.

Federal law prohibits some of these items from donation, stipulating health and safety standards. But most general furniture like drawers or bedside furniture is accepted.

However, it is still better to check all the guidelines with your local Goodwill before you donate something. Rules can differ from one Goodwill store to another.

Remember that any bedroom furniture you have decided to donate must be safe to use and be in pretty good working condition. If that doesn’t apply, there are other ways to dispose of your furniture with the help of junk disposal companies or other recycling centers.

However, Goodwill can certainly take the following items provided that they are in good condition:

• Blankets
• Bed linen
• Bedroom lamps
• And another piece of furniture that is under 25 pounds.

What Other Options Do I Have for Donating My Mattress?

If the mattress you want to donate is in good condition, there are many other places to donate it. We have mentioned The Furniture Bank Network earlier. It’s a directory of places where you can donate furniture or box springs for beds throughout North America.

You might look around and find some local charities in your area. You might have Salvation Army in your neighborhood, and they take mattresses, but get in touch with them before you move.

Some other option you can explore here is Habitat for Humanity. You can contact your local shelters to find out whether they need a mattress. If you have an old mattress torn, sagging, or turning yellow, you should not donate it. Such mattresses have to be recycled responsibly.

Earth 911 has a mattress recycling facility; you can visit their website for more information. Another option is the Mattress Recycling Council which can provide you with tons of information on how to recycle your mattress properly.

Some other companies, such as 1-800-Got-Junk, will remove any mattresses that can’t be repaired. Some of them can even take mattresses that have bed bugs in them. However, you must contact the pest controller before the mattress is accepted.

Should I Throw Away My Mattress – What Should I Consider Before Doing That?

There are a few things that you must keep in mind before you throw away your old useless mattress:

Check the mattress warranty

On average, mattresses come with a warranty of up to 10 years, while other mattresses (mostly latex mattresses) even have warranties that go up to 25 years. Some brands like Avocado Green, DreamCloud, and Nectar have lifetime warranties.

Therefore, if you have a mattress that is defective or damaged, make sure that you check its warranty and see what is covered before you think about throwing it away.

Have a second look at the condition of your mattress

If standing or sagging is not excessive, you have different ways to boost the overall support and comfort of your mattress temporarily. It will allow you to get more life out of your old mattress until you can bring in the new one.

Going for a quality mattress topper is a pretty good option for you. It will temporarily alter the overall comfort and feel of your old mattress. Plus, there is a wide variety of mattress toppers that you can choose from based on your precise needs.

You can learn how to clean your mattress properly. It can significantly extend the overall lifespan of your mattress, and you can get it into a better shape for donation.

How Can I Recycle My Mattress?

If that old mattress is in a condition that is not good enough for donation, you can always recycle it. It’s a pretty convenient process as most materials used in constructing these mattresses are recyclable, including memory foam.

The process itself is quite simple as there are various options you can go for. You can contact your local recycling facility, and they will handle it.

Earth 911

It’s an online database that will assist you in locating a recycling facility in your area. You only have to enter your zip code and let them take the reins from there. You will have all the information on the center’s location and operating hours.

The information on Earth 911 will also let you know what you can recycle and can’t. As soon as you have found a recycling center in your area, you can get in touch with them.

Bye Bye Mattress

Bye Bye Mattress is committed to keeping the number of mattresses in landfills on the lower side. They will help you find a recycling facility in your area.

If you are located in Rhode Island, Connecticut, or California, you will only have to use your zip code to find a facility near you. They are expanding their services rapidly and will soon be available in other states.

Mattress Disposal

They are located in all major cities throughout the country and are fully licensed for their mattress and furniture removal services. For just a small fee, they will come to your home and pick up any unwanted items.

They will help you dispose of them in an eco-friendly manner. Mattress Disposal makes sure that they don’t continue in landfills in any way. They take part in different donation campaigns.

But you must remember that Mattress Disposal doesn’t guarantee that all items will be recycled. Therefore, getting in touch with Mattress Disposal should be your last resort.

Do thrift stores take mattresses?

Most thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army do not accept mattress donations due to health concerns and cost of sanitizing them. Some thrift stores that may take clean, sanitized mattresses in good condition include AMVETS, St. Vincent De Paul, and Vietnam Veterans of America. Check with your local thrift store for their specific donation policies.

Conclusion:

Goodwill used to accept old mattresses for donation back in the day, but that is not the case in the present day. Therefore, you will need to look for other charities, organizations, and recycling facilities to get rid of your old mattress. But they do accept bedding accessories and furniture weighing under 25 lbs.