what to do with old mattress and box spring

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You lot are wondering how to dispose of a mattress— Maybe y'all are thinking of a new bed or just got a new mattress. Whatever the example, it is challenging to know what to practice, especially if in that location is even so some life in your old mattress. It's probably not something yous remember about a lot, but knowing how to get rid of an sometime mattress is merely as important as knowing how to select your perfect mattress when it'southward time for a replacement.

Because they're so large and bulky, mattresses aren't always easy to go rid of, particularly in an environmentally friendly way— just in that location are some good options available for when yous demand to get them out of your dwelling house. Before you become rid of an old mattress though, information technology's important to know when it'south time to get a new one.

How To Know When Information technology's Time To Supplant Your Mattress

A good mattress can last you a long fourth dimension, only y'all'll accept to replace information technology somewhen. Less expensive mattresses have a shorter lifespan, typically 7-8 years, only higher quality mattresses may accept longer lives. It'southward of import that your mattress keeps you comfortable and your body supported up until it's time to supplant it.

Some signs that yous need to replace your mattress include:

Yous're waking upward with aches and pains
The mattress is lumpy, sagging, uneven, or visibly worn
Information technology's harder for you to fall asleep or stay comatose
Your mattress makes lots of noise as you shift around
Y'all just want to choose the all-time mattress for your sleeping style

What About My Box Leap?

If your mattress rests on top of a box spring, it's of import to check that for signs of wear likewise. Just like your mattress, you'll desire to replace your box spring if it'due south damaged, sagging, excessively dirty, or noisy.

What Do I Do With My Old Mattress?

It may just be tempting to put an old mattress in the dumpster, on the curb free for the taking or for junk removal— but yous should consider other options. Illegal dumping is a real problem for large items like article of furniture and mattresses, and it's not worth potential fines or repercussions.

If you're looking to get rid of a mattress, consider these options.

Donating Your Mattress

As the adage goes: "1 human'south trash is another man's treasure." If your unwanted mattress is clean and in skillful shape, mattress donation is an first-class selection. One of the best times that I come across people donating a mattress is when they combine households. Ofttimes the mattress is still in great shape, but the new couple wants to start with a new bed and that makes sense on many levels.

Not only can your erstwhile, in proficient shape mattress help a person or family unit in need, but these donations may exist revenue enhancement deductible as well. Remember to include the box spring also if you are getting rid of it also.

Where to Donate Your Mattress

The Conservancy Army or Goodwill
Habitat for Humanity
A local clemency or homeless shelter

Note: E'er go far touch with your local branches and organizations to make sure they accept mattress donations— some may not accept them while others volition.

Recycling Your Mattress

Your typical box spring mattress is made from fabric, forest, and metal springs— in other words, things that can exist recycled! Simply you can't merely stuff your erstwhile mattress in your recycling bin and wait for your area recycling program to take care of it. If in that location is a mattress recycler or mattress recycling program in your area, information technology tin can be as easy as taking your item to them. They might fifty-fifty be able to selection it upwardly for you.

You lot'll need to pay a small recycling fee when you turn in your one-time mattress, and also the price of mattress removal if they'll come out and selection it upward for you though.

Why Recycle Your Old Mattress?

Recycling mattresses keeps them out of the landfill and can give those parts a new lease on life. Cream from mattresses can exist shredded and reused as rug padding, the metal components tin exist melted down into all kinds of items, and the fabrics can exist reused in other items, or repurposed into insulation.

Where to Recycle Your Mattress

The Mattress Recycling Council (for residents of California, Connecticut, and Rhode Island)
To detect a recycling facility almost yous, check out the Earth911 directory
Community drop-off locations, or locally-run mattress recycling days

Note: Your mattress retailer may be partnered with a mattress recycling programme— this is especially helpful if at that place are no mattress recycling centers nearly you lot.

Why You Shouldn't Take Your Sometime Mattress to the Landfill

Mattresses are large beefy items, and they take upwardly a lot of space. This is true for your home, and it'south also true for your area landfill. In fact, even amidst all the other trash and solid waste there, mattresses also accept upward a huge amount of landfill space.

Americans dump well-nigh 20 million mattresses a year, and this can add upward to 800 million cubic feet of refuse to landfills already packed to the skirt with other garbage. Because of the padding, fabric, and springs, discarded mattresses are hard to compact and tin can even break the landfill machinery!

Consider all other options earlier considering the landfill. Your local charities, thrift stores or recycling centers— and the Globe— will give thanks yous!

Selling or Giving Away Your Mattress

If you've got a perfectly skilful mattress that you still need to get rid of, this is some other good option. But be certain that whatsoever transactions are safe, secure, and fair for both buyer and seller.

Where to Sell Your Mattress

Facebook Marketplace
Craigslist
Nextdoor
Your local classified ads

Note: If yous need the mattress out of your home quickly, this likely will not be your fastest choice.

When Not to Donate or Sell Your Mattress

Even if you tin't sell or donate your mattress, y'all have to consider proper disposal. This is especially truthful if your mattress isn't in the most pristine condition. Generally, donation centers volition not accept mattresses if they display any of the post-obit:

1. If It's Cleaved or At the End of Its Lifespan

If yous can't sleep on a broken or anile mattress, yous can't expect anyone else to either. Equally long as it'due south non completely destroyed, a well-used mattress tin can notwithstanding be recycled for parts or repurposed.

ii. If Information technology'south Stained, Dirty, or Smelly

Suspicious stains on the mattress don't inspire a lot of confidence and can look unhygienic. If your mattress is looking dingy and the stains aren't coming out, consider recycling it.

3. Bed Bugs and Other Pests

If your mattress has been infested by bed bugs or other pests, then you absolutely should not risk spreading the pests to others. Even recycling the mattress tin can potentially spread the pests, and then proper disposal is vital here.

When disposing of infested items, information technology's of import to contain the infestation before attempting to move them. For smaller items like pillows, placing them in a plastic bag will work. Larger items similar mattresses should be shrink-wrapped or tightly covered in tarp or painter'due south plastic to contain the pests and forestall further spread.

Once moved outside, conspicuously label that the mattress is infested to deter anyone who may be tempted to rehome your detail before waste disposal picks it up.

Why Mattress Intendance Matters

A lilliputian actress care goes a long way. Keeping a clean and well-maintained mattress can really encourage meliorate sleep and can also extend the life of your mattress. For more information, cheque out my tips for how to make clean your bedroom for better slumber.

Periodically rotating your mattress and box spring can prevent sagging and excessive clothing— in turn, this prolongs their lives and keeps things comfy for years to come.

The Importance of Investing in a Quality Mattress

With mattresses, yous really practice get what you pay for. A sturdy, high-quality mattress will go on you lot feeling comfortable and well-supported for years to come— and some, like Hastens, may last generations. Cheaper mattresses may leave you feeling uncomfortable or even in hurting afterward only a few years and crave replacement. That's why it'southward so important to spend every bit much as you comfortably tin can on a practiced mattress that will final.

Condolement is subjective, but some skillful things to await for in a mattress include:

The mattress holds your entire body and keeps your hips supported
It'southward comfortable on pressure points such as your head, shoulders, hips, and knees
Lets your muscles relax throughout your body— especially those in your back

Shopping for a new mattress can be a daunting feel, just it doesn't take to be. If yous're in the market for something new, check out my guide on how to choose a mattress.

Whether you lot're getting rid of your sometime mattress or looking for a new one, you shouldn't be losing sleep over your mattress!

Sweet Dreams,

Michael J. Breus, PhD, D, ABSM; FAASM

The Slumber Doctor

Dr. Michael Breus

Michael Breus, Ph.D - The Sleep Md is a Diplomate of the American Board of Slumber Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and one of only 168 psychologists to pass the Sleep Medical Specialty Lath without going to medical school. Dr. Breus is a sought after lecturer and his knowledge is shared daily in major national media worldwide including Today, Dr. Oz, Oprah, and for fourteen years as the slumber practiced on WebMD. Dr. Breus is the bestselling author of The Power of When, The Sleep Doctor's Diet Plan and Good Dark!

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