If you’ve just bought a new mattress, its time you say goodbye to the old one. Maybe you’re thinking where you can dispose it of and you’re still coming up with blanks. Before you make this decision, you should check the condition of the mattress. If it’s not in good shape, it will still go into waste when you donate. Also, if the mattress has things like bugs, you should avoid donating it.
Apart from this caveat, the requirements for each organization vary. Some will not accept king size if they don’t have the space to accommodate large beds. Others will only accept donations within a certain age range. Here is a simple guide on how to donate mattresses.
01.Habitat for humanity
The first thing that comes in mind when Habitat for Humanity is mentioned is building houses for the homeless. If you donate the mattress to this organization, you can be sure it will go to someone in need. You can make your donations online or take it to the nearest store. But because each location is independent, you should call first to verify acceptance.
02.The Salvation Army
They have a large network of sites that accept mattresses. You can schedule the pickup time with one of their trucks. When you go to their website, they clearly state that mattresses and beds will not go into recycling. The Salvation Army is an international body that runs major shops across the US, Europe, and the UK.
03.Donate to Charity
Many charitable organizations will accept mattresses but will not resell them. One famous organization is Donation Town. It works with local homeless shelters to donate the mattress where it’s most needed. To assist the list of local charities, you should enter the zip code in the directory. No matter your location, there’s always someone who needs it. Most of these people are affected by hurricanes, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.
Currently, there are more than 30 Donation Town pickups cities in the United States. You may want to set an appointment that requires minimal effort from you. Donation Town is not only amazingly easy to use but also gives a variety of options to make the donations.
Another famous charitable organization is the Furniture Bank Association. It donates furniture and mattresses to needy families. The National Furniture Bank Association operates an online directory, so they can easily find your donation. You should communicate early for drop off or a pickup.
There are more than 80 furniture banks in the US. When you contact the charitable organization, it will organize for a pickup within a 15-20 miles radius.
Sometimes, it can be confusing to find a local charity to donate your mattress. You can search online to know the local charities that accept mattresses. Since most charitable organizations are affiliated with churches, they will appreciate those people who are ready to help others.
As the old saying goes, a man’s trash could be another man’s treasure. Some organizations may even state that it’s a `gently used’ mattress.
04.Donate mattress on Craigslist or Facebook
If none of the above charities are accessible to you, Facebook and Craigslist should be your go-to option. While you may have put a lot of work to ensure the mattress goes to a worthwhile home, these platforms can always find a needy home. And that’s something to warm someone’s heart. Keep in mind that this might not be the best option if you’re on a strict timeframe. It can take time for you to reply and schedule a pickup.
When you post the mattress on one of these sites, someone needy can pick it up. Once you connect with someone, you should do your best to meet in a public location.
Third-party Resale Websites are more practical and require less paperwork. Best of all, the mattress won’t sit in the storage facility as it’s moved from the house to the needy family.
05. FreeCycle
Once you list the mattress on FreeCycle, someone will get in touch with you. Of course, you don’t have to contact anyone until they are ready to pick the mattress. Make sure you state that you’re not selling the mattress. However, you should describe it as it is – maybe it has some stains or there’s a problem with the structure.
06. Arc Thrift Stores
Arc Thrift Stores is one of the charities that accept used mattresses. When you visit the website, you’ll find a list of all household goods. And every time there’s a new product, they will update the list. Some home appliances may not be accepted on this site.
07.Donate to a shelter disaster
Donating your mattress after a natural disaster can help save lives. Depending on the impact, there’s always someone in need.
08.Donate to schools and varsities
There’re always needy students who come from poor backgrounds. A mattress donation can be a lifesaver. Why take the mattress to landfill when it can have a second life in the hands of a student.
09.Will charities accept mattress donation of any size?
Before you donate a mattress to a charitable organization, you should first check whether they accept it first. However, it’s good that you tell the organization how you used the mattress. If it was used by pets, you may want to disclose that too because some people may be sensitive to pet hairs.
Perhaps you’re wondering where the mattress goes after it’s picked up. Well, before it’s given to a needy person, it’s sanitized.
10.What to do if your mattress cannot be donated
If you cannot donate the mattress to a charitable organization, you should take it to recycling companies. Some will pick it up for free while others will do it at a small fee.
You may want to contact a mattress removal company to ask them what they will do once they pick it. If this option is not locally available, you should haul the mattress to a local landfill. Keep in mind that some recycling centers will not accept soiled mattresses, wet, or those infested with bedbugs.
11.Wrapping it up
Did you know that there’re millions of mattresses in a landfill each year? Imagine the differences they could make to needy families. Whether your mattress is in bad condition or you simply need a change, the above donation suggestions can work for you.
It’s worth mentioning that some will not accept old mattresses that harbor bacteria and bed bugs. But as long as the mattress is in good structural shape, it will be accepted by most organizations.
If you believe that your old mattress is not donation worthy, think again!