Mattress donation can be an excellent way to get rid of an old bed. But to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible, there are certain requirements you need to fulfill in order for the mattress donation to go smoothly.
Salvation Army, Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity and Furniture Banks of North America all accept mattress donations; most provide free pickup services.
Salvation Army
Mattresses provide shelter residents with much-needed relief during times of domestic abuse or other trauma. Donated mattresses in decent condition are typically accepted by The Salvation Army; however, you should contact your local Salvation Army branch first if there are any restrictions or preferences as to which types can be accepted.
Depending on your local branch’s regulations, it might be a better option to donate the mattress elsewhere – perhaps Goodwill would accept it? Goodwill offers clothing, furniture and home goods to low-income communities while its locations also accept used mattresses with no visible stains or mold growth.
Find a donation center by searching the Furniture Banks Network’s online database of locations accepting donations in your area. Many donation centers require quality standards be met before accepting donations; thus be sure to remove all sheets or coverings before dropping it off at one.
Goodwill
Though it’s uncommon for charities to accept used mattresses, there are organizations that do. This often happens with charities that provide furniture to families in need – one such charity being Furniture Bank Association of America – with locations all across North America offering low or no-cost furniture options at various facilities; many also accept mattress donations and pickup.
Most local homeless shelters will accept used mattresses as donations; however, it’s essential that your mattress be in good condition; otherwise the shelter may reject it and infest it with bedbugs.
Instead, consider donating it to a non-profit that recycles furniture – this organization should assign an appraisal value that you can use for tax purposes. There may be also services that offer mattress pick-up for an additional fee.
Freecycle Network
Most charities will not accept mattresses in poor condition because they can present a serious health hazard to people allergic to smoke and pet dander, not to mention paying fees associated with disposing donated mattresses that can’t be reused.
However, there are charities and recycling facilities that accept mattresses in good condition for recycling purposes. At such facilities, parts such as metal springs can be recycled into new products while synthetic layers can be repurposed as carpet underlay material.
Another option for mattress donation is donating it to local thrift stores or furniture banks. Habitat for Humanity operates ReStore stores that accept new and gently used furniture including mattresses; similarly, Furniture Bank Association of America offers low- or no-cost furniture to families and individuals in need; you can search their website to locate a location near you that offers pickup service.
Craigslist
Many charities, including Salvation Army, Goodwill, and National Furniture Bank Association will gladly accept your old mattress for donation – some even provide free pickup service! While these organizations will accept mattresses in relatively good condition for donation, make sure that bed bugs haven’t made themselves known before hand; charitable organizations generally have high standards and won’t accept mattresses covered in debris or insects.
As well as nationwide charities, you may also give your mattress to a local homeless shelter. There are various online tools and databases that can assist in locating shelters that accept mattresses – most are free for use – though before giving, make sure it will fit within their guidelines as many may have limited storage capacity and storage requirements.
