Updated: August 17, 2022
Reviewed by Adam Graham remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.
To provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date cost figures, we gather information from a variety of pricing databases, licensed contractors, and industry experts.
Getting a new mattress is always good news. However, you must remove your old one to make room. You’ll wonder what removal options are available. Some options for mattress removal are taking it to the landfill or having it picked up by your regular trash service. Some mattress and furniture companies will take and dispose of your old mattress when they deliver your new one. However, most charge an extra fee to do this. In addition to their bulkiness, modern mattresses are full of chemicals and materials that must be disposed of properly. Mattress removal services know how to get the job done.
The average cost of mattress removal is between $40 and $120. The average homeowner spends about $75 for professional mattress removal services that remove and dispose of a king-size mattress for you, with all labor and disposal costs included. On the low end, you can spend as little as $20 to remove a twin-size mattress. On the high end of the spectrum, some homeowners spend up to $175 to dispose of a California king mattress and box spring by a specialty mattress removal service, with labor and disposal included.
Mattress Disposal Price
Mattress Removal Cost | |
Average cost | $75 |
National average cost | $40-$120 |
Low-end | $20 |
High-end | $175 |
Cost to Remove Mattress by Size
Mattress removal by size ranges in cost from $20 to $125, based on the size of the mattress and any other removal factors. The bigger a mattress is, the more expensive it is to remove both because of the labor involved and the disposal costs based on the size or volume of material. You will also pay more if you replace all of the mattresses in your home and have several old ones to discard. The table shows an overview of the average price range to remove a mattress based on size. Note that the variance in the price ranges is due to the variables involved in mattress removal, including who is removing it and where it is being removed from.
Mattress Size | Removal Cost |
Twin | $20 - $50 |
Full | $25 - $55 |
Queen | $35 - $95 |
King | $40 - $120 |
California King | $45 - $125 |
Mattress Removal Cost by Service Type
The average mattress removal cost ranges from $20 to $125, depending on the type of service used. Several options are available for mattress disposal, including everything from curbside pickup to having the retailer delivering the new mattress also take the old one. You can have it recycled, hauled to the landfill, or call a junk removal service. Some people opt for dumpster rental to clean out the rest of their home while getting rid of old mattresses. This can be much more cost-effective. In the table and subsections below, you’ll see a breakdown of mattress removal costs by service type, factors to consider with each, and how prices are determined.
Service Type | Removal Cost |
Curbside Pickup | $0 - $20/unit |
Recycling | $10 - $30/unit |
Retailer Removal | $20 - $125/unit |
Landfill Disposal | $50 - $100/ton |
Junk Removal | $50 - $100/small load |
Dumpster Rental | $75 - $125/2 cubic yards |
Mattress Curbside Pickup
Disposing of a mattress with your standard trash service could range from $0 to $20 per mattress. One of the most common ways people dispose of a mattress is curbside pickup, but it may not always be available. Not all trash collection services offer curbside pickup for mattresses and large furniture. Not only that, but you will have to drag the mattress to the curb, where it may have to sit for a few days. Most companies ask that mattresses and other soft fabrics be wrapped in plastic for easier and safer pickup and disposal, which is another step and another purchase to make.
Recycle Mattress
Recycling a mattress is another affordable option, costing between $10 and $30, depending on the size of the mattress and the company hauling it. This reduces landfill waste and gives you the peace of mind that you’re complying with local statutes and helping the environment. However, you may have to break down the mattress or transport it further than you would like on your own. It may prove difficult to find a place where you can recycle your mattress locally because these services are harder to locate.
Mattress Retailer Removal
Those who are replacing their mattress can save some money and spend $20 to $125 on mattress removal by allowing the retailer that delivers the new mattress to take the old one and haul it away. In some rare instances, this service might be offered free of charge, but most companies charge at least a small fee to cover their landfill or disposal costs. This makes the timing perfect because they can haul out the old and bring in the new. However, you may have to request this at purchase time to get it included or at a discounted rate.
Mattress Landfill Disposal
The average cost of landfill disposal for a mattress is $50 to $100. This price is for the disposal of one ton of waste that includes a mattress. If you just need to dispose of the mattress, ask about the rates and how they are charged. Some places will provide low-cost or free landfill permits to assist in proper disposal. This helps people comply with current environmental laws. You may need to rent or borrow a truck for this, and you will have to do all of the heavy lifting. Remember that some landfills will not accept mattresses.
Junk Luggers to Remove a Mattress
The average junk removal rates for mattresses are between $50 and $75 for the mattress alone. You could have them haul the mattress with a small load for $70 to $100. These services aren’t ideal for just getting rid of a mattress because they won’t be cost-effective. On the other hand, if you are getting rid of more than one bed or mattress or even doing a small home cleanup, you could save money by calling junk removal instead. Many services offer recycling solutions that make you feel better about tossing your old mattress. It’s not ideal for those who need same-day mattress pickup, but it could be cost-effective in several situations.
Dumpster Rental for Mattress Disposal
For those who have additional junk to remove, dumpster rental could be a good choice at $75 to $125 for a dumpster that measures two cubic yards in size. This helps you declutter and get rid of everything at once. However, it takes up a lot of space in your driveway. Unless you’ve got enough to fill a container, it’s usually not going to be a cost-effective option. Some homeowner’s associations prohibit these items from being used. Fortunately, if you go this route, you’ll have the peace of mind that the price includes the dumping fees, so you will avoid paying that additional expense.
Mattress Haul Away Cost by Company
When choosing a company, the average cost to remove a mattress ranges from $85 to $200. The cost depends on the company providing the service, the type of mattress being removed, how far it needs to be moved, how many obstacles are along the way, and other factors. Each company has its rates and variables used to set them. It will be important to inquire with each company directly to get an accurate estimate of mattress removal costs in your region. In the table and subsections below, you will see the average costs for the top mattress removal companies, information about each company, and what their services include.
Company | Removal Cost |
Mattress Disposal Plus | $85 - $150 |
Junk King | $90 - $100 |
1-800-GOT-JUNK | $100 - $130 |
Load Up | $100 - $200 |
College Hunks | $100 - $200 |
Mattress Disposal Plus
Mattress Disposal Plus charges an average rate of $85 to $150, depending on the item that needs to be removed. The size of the mattress, as well as whether it’s being disposed of alone or with a box spring, impacts how much you pay. The company offers discounts for removing multiple items or full loads, so you may be able to save some money by getting rid of other furniture or bulky items at the same time. The exact price that you pay depends on whether there are any obstacles and the location of the mattress at the time of removal.
Junk King Mattress Removal
If you choose to hire Junk King to remove a mattress, you will spend between $90 and $100 for mattress removal alone. You may also rent a dumpster or container from this junk removal service, which ranges in price from about $100 to $300 or more, depending on the size of the container or dumpster, the weight of the load, and other disposal fees. Junk King prides itself on affordable pricing and offers free onsite estimates for hauling costs.
1-800-GOT-JUNK Mattress Removal
The average cost of mattress removal only from 1-800-GOT-JUNK is $100 to $130. You can spend a little more to fill an entire truck or dumpster of junk, which usually runs in a similar price range as mattress removal alone and may prove to be the better option. This company is not a dedicated mattress removal provider but a junk removal service. Therefore, they may not be the ideal choice for only disposing of a mattress. They provide whole-home cleaning solutions or a dumpster if you want to dispose of multiple mattresses, but they may not fit every need.
Load Up Mattress Removal
The average cost for junk removal from LoadUp ranges from $150 to $350, with most people spending between $100 and $200 to dispose of a single mattress with this company. This junk removal service is designed for bigger jobs and supplies dumpsters that help with cleanup. This company might not be ideal for the disposal of a single mattress. LoadUp offers upfront pricing and an estimate with prices that claim to be 20% to 30% below average. If you have more junk to get rid of, you could save more by disposing of everything at once.
College Hunks Mattress Removal
The average cost to remove a mattress with College Hunks is $100 to $200. College Hunks is a moving service that typically helps with house and apartment moving, but they also provide an array of other item moving and disposal services. As a result, they may charge less for the disposal of items when performed with another moving service or solution that the company offers. Their rates depend on the size of the mattress, whether a box spring is included, and the number of mattresses for disposal.
Mattress Removal Service Price
Of the average cost of $75 to remove a mattress, you’re spending about $60, or 80%, on labor and $15, or 20%, on fuel, disposal fees, and other costs. The labor for removing a mattress takes less than 30 minutes. However, it can be painstaking work, especially if obstacles are involved. A single person can do the job, but it’s better to have at least two people from a professional service to save you the trouble and the potential back pain. The labor rate depends on the disposal fees in your area and whether there are any stairways, narrow halls, or other factors making the task more difficult. Also, if your area has higher-than-average gas prices or landfill fees, you could spend more on this service. Typically, mattress removal pros and junk haulers charge by the job or load weight rather than using an hourly rate.
When scheduling mattress removal, you’ll need to unmake your bed and move any other objects that prevent workers from having full access to your room. You should ensure there is a clear path from your bedroom to the front door. Some removal companies perform same-day mattress removal, while others require a day or two notice. The scheduling details depend on the company and their work schedule. Junk removal services may take longer because they may visit your home once to provide an estimate and then schedule the work for a later date. It doesn’t generally take much time to remove a mattress. Your old mattress will be picked up and placed on the truck in just minutes and often without having to disassemble the bed or take other steps. The project could take longer if movers have to go up and down stairs in the process.
Mattress and Box Spring Removal
The average homeowner spends $50 to $145on mattress and box spring removal. Adding the removal of a foundation or box spring is a minimal expense. If you have a platform bed or a premium foundation, you may have to look into other removal options for the furniture pieces. However, mattress removal companies can dispose of all box springs and standard foundations along with your mattress. In many cases, people replace their entire bed, so they will need to get rid of the pieces at the same time. Discounts may be offered for removing the entire thing at once or for having more mattresses hauled away at one time.
Bed and Mattress Removal
Those looking for a full bed and mattress removal can expect to spend about $85 to $175, depending on the size of the bed and mattress, how heavy it is, whether it must be disassembled, and other factors. If you are replacing your bed and mattress, you may want to get rid of both at the same time. While most retailers haul away mattresses with delivery, they won’t take furniture. This leaves people to find their own solution. When you keep the pieces together, you get a better discount on bed and mattress removal than by disposing of them separately.
Free Mattress Disposal
In some instances, people will have the option to get rid of their old mattress free of charge or even earn some money from it. This could be a good idea for someone who has a mattress that is in good condition and worth reusing. You can find several places and ways to donate your mattress, such as to animal shelters or even Habitat for Humanity. If it is in good enough condition, you can also sell your mattress, which could earn you money instead of costing anything.
Mattress Donation
If your mattress is still in good condition, you might want to donate it to charity or someone who can use it. Keep in mind that mattresses cannot be donated unless they are clean, free of defects, and not infested with bedbugs or the like. If your mattress has seen its better days, this may not be an option. However, if you have a friend or relative who might be willing to overlook the gentle use, you could still provide someone with a mattress so long as it doesn’t have spots or stains.
Some non-profit groups accept used mattresses in good condition, either for resale at thrift stores or to give to those less fortunate. Many organizations will even pick up mattresses and other large donation items such as furniture. Visit Donation Town to find non-profit organizations that might accept your mattress. You can call agencies such as the Salvation Army, the National Furniture Bank Association, or Habitat for Humanity. Some domestic violence or homeless shelters might accept mattresses, either for use in their facilities or to help residents set up their own houses.
Animal shelters may accept used mattresses as pet bedding. This is one option for getting rid of a worn mattress with stains or tears. While the condition of the mattress is not normally an issue, you should ensure it does not have fleas or bedbugs. Not all groups have the same requirements when it comes to used mattresses. As such, you should always make sure yours meets an organization’s criteria before dropping it off. Do not try to pass off a worn mattress as new. Do not donate one you are no longer willing to sleep on yourself.
Sell Second-Hand Mattress
If you own a mattress that is still in new or like-new condition, you may be able to sell that second-hand mattress to someone who needs one for cheaper than what stores charge. However, you will have to ensure that your mattress is free of tears, stains, spring damage, mold, and other signs of wear or damage. You may have to factor in how you will get the mattress to its new owner. If you have to transfer it to them, you may need to supply the vehicle and fuel, incurring an additional cost on your part. Not only that, but it can take more effort. If you decide to sell, it’s best to require pick up to make it efficient and beneficial for you.
Dump Truck Rental Cost
For those who opt to go the DIY route, there are a few costs to consider, including any mattress disposal fees and dump truck rental, which costs about $200 to $500, depending on the size of the truck that you need and how far you will be driving. Some people rent a dump truck to remove a lot of junk or old furnishings from their home, including a mattress. Some people have to rent a truck because they have no other way to get the mattress to a proper disposal site. Dump trucks usually charge day rates. However, you can also find hourly and short-term rentals to reduce costs. For those with a big clean-up ahead, there are weekly and even monthly rates available. If you choose to go this route, you will have to move the mattress yourself and pay for the fuel used during your rental and any potential disposal fees. Some municipalities have special requirements for mattress disposal, which could include a designated dump site or just dropping it at the local landfill.
Enhancement and Improvement Costs
Bed Bug Removal
In the case of an infested mattress, you may incur an additional bed bug removal cost of $600 to $1,500. Even though you have gotten rid of the mattress, the bed bugs may have infiltrated the rest of your home, and it needs to be properly exterminated and inspected. This service should be done by a qualified exterminator and will incur an additional charge in addition to any existing mattress removal costs. Be sure to properly sanitize and clean the home after removing bed bugs so that your new mattress does not become infested and repeat the problem.
Additional Considerations and Costs
- Infested mattress disposal. The supplies to seal and mark a mattress should cost you between $10 and $20. If your mattress has bed bugs, it’s important to take precautions during disposal. Wrap your mattress tightly in plastic and seal it with duct tape. This ensures bed bugs do not get into other areas of your home while you carry the mattress outside. You’ll also want to mark the mattress as having bed bugs so that no one else snatches it up.
- Repurpose your mattress. You may also wish to reuse all or some of the mattress, so there is less for disposal. For example, you could use the fabric as a weed block or the cotton padding to fill pillows or stuffed animals. You could also create custom cushions for a kitchen chair from various sections of memory foam. Wood pieces can come in handy for scrap projects around the house. Scoop out all the innards from your mattress or box spring, leaving only the frame. You can fill this with yard clippings to create your own compost heap. Steel springs can be sold at scrap metal yards, or you may also repurpose them.
- Mattress only. Removal services should not take your bed frame along with the mattress unless you specifically ask them to do so. Junk removal services take into account the cost of landfill permits and dump fees when calculating rates. As such, you should not pay anything above what you were quoted.
- Illegal dumping. If your area offers free landfill permits, collection points, or curbside pickup, you can easily perform mattress removal yourself. However, you should not dump your mattress alongside the road or in a wooded area. Illegal dumping can result in fines of up to $500.
- Burning a mattress. Burning a mattress produces toxic gases and is therefore unsafe for the environment. It leaves behind metal springs that require disposal.
- DIY. If you are thinking of DIY, alternatives to the methods already mentioned are to drop the mattress off at a designated spot for your city’s “clean-up days” or throw it into your apartment’s resident dumpster.
- Same-day service. Many companies claim to provide “same-day” service, but that can be misleading. It doesn’t guarantee same-day pickup but merely means you will be able to schedule an appointment that same day. It may still be several days before your mattress actually gets picked up once the appointment has been made.
- Estimates. You should always get at least three estimates when comparing your options for mattress removal services. That way, you will know that you are getting a fair price and understand what companies charge.
- Insurance. Mattress removal services must be insured. This is because they deal with hauling large pieces, and mattresses are known to be flammable and filled with chemicals, making them a huge fire risk. Make sure that you choose a company that is insured against any potential liability or issue that may arise in the removal process.
- Recycling. You will spend $10 to $17 to dispose of a mattress in the states of California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, where mattresses must be recycled through the Mattress Recycling Council’s program. To get rid of your mattress in these locations, you will need to have your mattress removed by the retailer when your new one arrives or deliver it to a certified recycling facility yourself. Be sure to check your local and state laws before disposing of a mattress.
FAQs
- Where can I get rid of my old mattress?
Several places can assist you with getting rid of your old mattress, including recycling services, junk hauling services, your local trash service or landfill, specialty mattress removal companies, and even the retailers that deliver your new mattress.
- How much does it cost to haul away a king-size mattress?
Generally, it costs between $40 and $120 to haul away a king-size mattress and dispose of it properly, depending on who hauls it away and what services are included.
- How can I get rid of my bed for free?
There are several options for getting rid of your bed for free if you aren’t in a hurry. You could post an ad on Facebook or other social media, ask family and friends, or even just sit it on your curb with a sign marked “FREE” if your municipality will allow it. However, you’ll have to haul it out there and deal with it sitting there until it gets taken.
- Can you throw away a mattress in a dumpster?
Unless you own the dumpster, have permission to use it, or have paid to rent it, the answer is no. If you dump a mattress in a dumpster that is not yours, you could be charged a fine of up to $500 or more for illegal dumping.
- Does the Salvation Army take mattresses?
Where permitted by law, the Salvation Army will normally take mattresses that are still in serviceable condition. For more information, please contact your local Salvation Army Chapter.
- How do you dispose of mattresses?
When disposing of a mattress, there are several options. You could put it on the curb or call a junk removal service, haul it to the landfill, or even donate it if it’s in good condition.
- Will Casper remove your old mattress?
If you buy a Casper mattress and are within their home delivery and set-up radius, mattress removal will be included with the delivery of your new mattress.
- What parts of a mattress can be recycled?
The metal springs of a traditional coil mattress can be recycled, as can some of the foams and other fibers used to produce the finished product. The wood frame of a box spring and even fabrics and buttons can also be recycled in some cases.