where to donate mattress
You have several good options for where to donate a usable mattress, plus a few “backup plans” if charities near you can’t take it right now.
Quick answer: where to donate a mattress
Most people start with these:
- Large national charities (if your local branch accepts mattresses):
- Salvation Army (many locations accept and may offer pickup).
* Habitat for Humanity ReStore (often accepts gently used mattresses and can sometimes pick up).
- Local charities:
- Homeless shelters, domestic violence shelters, refugee resettlement groups, and church- or community-run housing programs often need beds.
* Furniture banks (they connect donated furniture, including mattresses, to families leaving homelessness or unstable housing).
- “We-haul-and-donate” services:
- Local junk removal / donation-pickup companies that deliver usable mattresses to a charity for you, for a fee.
- Direct-to-person:
- Post it for free on local marketplaces (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Buy Nothing, Nextdoor) so someone who needs a mattress can pick it up.
Always call or check the website first—policies vary a lot by city, and some places don’t accept mattresses at all because of bed bug and hygiene concerns.
Basic conditions before donating
Most charities will only accept your mattress if:
- It has no major stains, rips, or strong odors.
- It has no bed bugs or signs of infestation.
- The springs and structure are intact (no big sags, no broken coils).
- It’s reasonably clean and safe to sleep on.
If it doesn’t meet those standards, they’ll usually ask you to recycle or dispose of it instead.
Step‑by‑step: how to donate your mattress
- Check your mattress condition.
If you’d be comfortable letting a friend sleep on it, it’s probably donation‑worthy; if not, lean toward recycling.
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Make a short local list.
Search for:- “Salvation Army donation center + your city”
- “Habitat ReStore + your city”
- “Furniture bank + your city”
- “Homeless shelter + your city”
-
Check each place’s mattress policy.
- Look specifically for “What we accept” or “Furniture donations.”
- Many Goodwill locations do not accept mattresses anymore; a few do, so you have to confirm locally.
- Ask about pickup vs drop‑off.
- Some Salvation Army, Habitat, and furniture banks will pick up large items like mattresses for free or a small fee, scheduled online or by phone.
* If nobody offers pickup and you don’t have a big vehicle, a local hauler that donates usable items can fill the gap.
- Prepare the mattress.
- Give it a quick clean (vacuum, spot‑clean stains if possible).
- Some organizations want it wrapped in plastic or a mattress bag to prevent contamination during transport.
- Get a receipt (if you want one).
- Ask for a donation receipt; this may help with tax deductions where applicable.
If no one nearby will accept a mattress
In many cities, especially large ones, people find that almost no charities take mattresses anymore. If that’s your situation:
- Try direct person‑to‑person:
- List “Free mattress – gently used” on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or a Buy Nothing group with clear photos, size, age, and pickup details.
* Meet in a public place if possible, or leave it outside at pickup time.
- Look for mattress recycling programs:
- Some regions have mattress recycling facilities or city programs that break them down into metal, foam, and fabric instead of landfilling.
- Use a removal company that prioritizes donation/recycling:
- Some services advertise that they first try to donate, then recycle, and only landfill as a last resort.
Example options by type (not city‑specific)
Here’s a quick “cheat sheet” of common places to check in most areas:
| Type of place | Examples | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Large national charities | Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStore | Some locations accept mattresses and may offer pickup; always confirm locally first. | [1]
| Thrift / charity shops | Local shops, select Goodwill branches | Many no longer take mattresses; policies differ by store and region. | [1]
| Furniture banks | Regional furniture banks (listed via Furniture Bank networks) | Specialize in giving beds and furniture to families in need; often offer pickup. | [7][1]
| Homeless / domestic violence shelters | City or nonprofit shelters, transitional housing | May take mattresses when they’re expanding or moving; call to ask about current needs. |
| Haul‑and‑donate services | Local junk removal that “donates first” | Charge a fee but handle transport and drop‑off; attempt donation, then recycling. | [4][3]
| Person‑to‑person | Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Buy Nothing | List as free, include photos and condition; good fallback when charities aren’t accepting. | [1]