Mattress Removal

The Ultimate Mattress Removal Guide 2026

How to Get Rid of an Old Mattress Safely, Legally & Without the Hassle

Mattresses are bulky and heavy, and local regulations and recycling programs in Seattle and King County make proper mattress disposal important. Below is a quick checklist to choose the right option for your situation.

• If the mattress is in good condition (clean, supportive, and under ~8 years old), consider donation or local pickup for reuse — please note most places do not accept mattress donations
• If it’s stained, sagging, or water-damaged, recycling or responsible mattress disposal services are usually required
• If contaminated or infested, special handling is needed — do not donate; call us for safe disposal

Need help deciding? Get a quote — our Seattle team can often estimate from photos or provide a quick phone estimate and schedule pickup. For agents and property managers, ask about our real estate cleanouts package to combine mattress removal with furniture removal and full property prep.

Step 1: Assess Your Mattress Condition

Before choosing a disposal method, figure out what category your mattress falls into:

Still in Good Condition?

If your mattress is clean, supportive, and less than ~8 years old, you may be able to:

We make sure to donate all functional mattresses to local charities and organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, the Salvation Army, local shelters, or other community programs.

• Donate it to a local charity
• Give it to a friend or family member
• Sell it online (Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist)

Please note most places will not take mattress removals donation.

Old, sagging, or stained?

Donation centers usually won’t accept it disposal or recycling is the best option.

Infested or badly damaged?

A contaminated mattress should never be reused or recycled. It must be handled by professional  junk removal companies or taken to a facility that accepts contaminated waste.

Can You Haul It Yourself?

You can haul an old mattress yourself, but it often requires the right vehicle, proper lifting help, and safe transport especially since mattresses are bulky, heavy, and difficult to maneuver. Improper handling can lead to injuries, damage to your vehicle, or mattress contamination during transport. For most homeowners, hiring a professional service like Action Junk Hauling is the safer, faster, and more cost-effective choice.

Where To Haul It To?

If you decide to haul the mattress on your own, you’ll need to take it to an approved recycling center, donation facility, or a certified landfill that accepts mattresses. Many locations have strict rules for mattress hygiene, bed bug contamination, and material separation, so always check guidelines before dropping items off.

Step 2: Know Your Mattress Disposal Options

Option A: Municipal Bulk Pickup

Many cities offer bulk pickup services, but they come with limitations:

• You need to schedule it several days/weeks in advance
• You often must wrap the mattress in a special plastic cover
• You have to drag it to the curb yourself
• Cities may limit pickups to certain days or one item at a time

It’s a low-cost solution, but not always convenient.

Option B: Retailer Haul-Away Services

If you’re buying a new mattress, some retailers offer old mattress removal when they deliver the new one.
This is helpful, but keep in mind:

• It typically applies only when purchasing a new mattress
• Some stores charge extra fees
• They won’t remove items that are damaged or contaminated

Retailer haul-away is a good option only if you’re already buying new.

Option C: DIY Recycling Facility Drop-Off

Most mattresses can be recycled up to 85–90% of materials (foam, metal springs, wood) can be repurposed.
You can haul it yourself to a designated recycling center.

However, consider:

• You need a truck or large vehicle
• Recycling centers may charge a fee
• You have to do all the lifting and transporting
• Not all centers accept contaminated or waterlogged mattresses

Great option for people with the right vehicle and time.

Note: Washinton charges an additional recycling fee for every mattress and box spring please visit our dumping guides to find out more 

Option E: Hire Action Junk Hauling Company (The Stress-Free Solution)

If you want the fastest, simplest, and most environmentally responsible way to remove a mattress in Seattle, hiring a professional mattress removal service is the best choice. Our local team specializes in mattress disposal services and mattress haul away across the Greater Seattle area and takes care of every step — from pickup and hauling to donation or recycling.

First, We Donate

Our process prioritizes donation: usable mattresses are evaluated and, when accepted by local charities and shelters, delivered to community partners in Seattle. We work with donation centers and nonprofit programs that accept gently used mattresses (subject to local health and safety rules). If donation isn’t an option, we move to responsible mattress disposal and recycling.

Zero Heavy Lifting

Mattresses are bulky and awkward — our trained crew handles all heavy lifting and loading, including upstairs apartments, narrow hallways, or basement pickups in neighborhoods like Capitol Hill, Ballard, and Beacon Hill. Tell us about access when you request a quote and we’ll plan the right crew size and equipment to avoid damage and ensure safety.

Eco-Friendly Disposal

We partner with certified recycling centers and mattress processing facilities to separate foam, metal springs, and wood so materials can be reused. Reputable mattress disposal services can often divert a large portion of mattress materials from landfills — ask our team which local Seattle junk removal recycling partners we use for the best environmental outcome.

How we protect the environment:

• Prioritize recycling and donation to reduce landfill impact
• Separate materials for reuse whenever feasible
• Deliver to certified recycling and disposal centers that comply with Seattle junk removal and King County standards
• Reduce landfill waste and support local recycling initiatives

Saves Time and Hassle

No waiting weeks for a city pickup, no borrowing or renting a truck, and no dealing with drop off logistics.

With one quick call or by clicking to book online, you can schedule same-day or next-day mattress removal in many Seattle neighborhoods. Get an instant quote based on item type and access and let our team handle the rest.

Transparent Pricing

When you consider DIY costs (truck, time, fees), professional junk removal is often just as affordable, without the hassle.

Step 3: Choose the Eco-Friendly Path

Mattresses take up massive space in landfills and contain materials that can often be reused or recycled. To keep your mattress disposal in Seattle environmentally responsible, follow these tips and ask the right questions when booking a mattress removal service.

• Ask your junk removal company which recycling centers they partner with and whether they prioritize donation first — reputable local companies will name partners and explain their process.
• Check Seattle Public Utilities and King County recycling programs for mattress recycling options and accepted drop-off sites if you plan a DIY disposal.
• Look for statewide or regional mattress recycling initiatives (some states have Mattress Recycling Councils — confirm whether programs may apply in your area).

A well-run mattress removal service can often divert a high percentage of mattress materials from landfills — many recycling programs report that 70–90% of materials (metal, foam, wood) can be repurposed; ask for details and documentation if this matters to you.

Step 4: Avoid Illegal Dumping

Leaving a mattress on the curb, alley, or behind a building is illegal in most Seattle neighborhoods and King County — and it creates public-health and neighborhood blight issues. Penalties for illegal dumping may include fines, cleanup fees, and possible citations. Rather than risk penalties, call a licensed mattress removal service to ensure legal, documented disposal.

• Possible fines for illegal dumping (amounts vary by city — check Seattle/King County sites for current figures)
• Cleanup fees and administrative citations may apply if the city must remove dumped mattresses
• Citations are possible for repeat or egregious offenses

Beyond legal exposure, dumped mattresses can attract pests and create public-safety hazards. Do the right thing for your neighborhood — call a local mattress junk removal company and get it handled legally and responsibly.

Quick checklist — what to ask before you book a mattress removal service:

• Do you partner with local Seattle recycling centers and donation charities? (Ask for names.)
• Will you separate materials for recycling or send everything to a certified facility?
• Is there an extra fee for contaminated or infested mattresses, or for stairs and tight access?
• Do you offer upfront pricing and discounts for multiple items (e.g., mattress + couch removal + cabinets removal + furniture removal)?

If you’d like help avoiding fines and ensuring responsible disposal, book online or call our Seattle office — we’ll confirm recycling options, any fees that may apply, and provide upfront pricing so you know the terms before we arrive.

Step 5: Ready to Remove Your Mattress?

Here’s a clear, Seattle-friendly checklist to get your mattress removed quickly and responsibly.

1.  Get a quick estimate — send photos or call and our Seattle team will give a free quote based on mattress type, access, and additional items (couch removal, furniture removal, cabinets removal). Many estimates can be given instantly and we offer upfront pricing so there are no surprises. 
2.  Book your pickup — call our Seattle office or book online. Same-day junk removal or next-day pickup is often available in many Seattle neighborhoods — confirm when you schedule. 
3.  Prepare the pickup area — put the mattress by the doorway or on the ground floor if possible. For condos or apartment buildings, reserve elevator access or inform our team of stairs and tight corridors so we can bring the right crew and equipment. 
4.  Sit back — our trained team handles the heavy lifting, loading, and transport, and will donate usable mattresses or route them to certified recycling centers for responsible mattress disposal. 

Summary for Mattress Removal

Pricing comparison (typical ranges — verify when you get a quote)

• Municipal bulk pickup — low cost but limited scheduling and often requires curbside drop-off.
• Retailer haul-away — convenient when buying new (may apply only with purchase and may include a fee).
• Professional mattress removal service — fastest, no heavy lifting, donation/recycling included; often cost-competitive when you factor time, transport, and disposal fees.

Quick FAQ

• Do you accept infested mattresses? Contaminated or infested mattresses require special handling and often cannot be donated or recycled — call us for safe disposal options.
• Is there a charge for stairs? Some jobs require extra labor for stair carries or tight access; we’ll disclose any additional fees in your upfront quote.
• Will you disassemble bed frames? Yes — our team can dismantle frames and haul away metal, wood, and other components for donation or recycling as appropriate.

If you need extra support during a difficult time, ask about our bereavement services — we handle removals with sensitivity and discretion. To get started, book online or call our Seattle team for a free quote and scheduling.

Choose Seattle’s Top Mattress and Junk Removal Professionals

There’s no reason old mattresses need to end up in landfills. Action Junk Hauling offers a full mattress removal service in Seattle that is fast, eco‑responsible, and easy — with upfront pricing, donation-first policies when possible, and certified mattress disposal services when recycling is required. Call or book online to get a free quote and schedule pickup.

Areas We Serve

We operate throughout the Greater Seattle region with multiple trucks and local drivers ready to help. Common neighborhoods and cities we serve include:

• Seattle neighborhoods: Capitol Hill, Ballard, Fremont, South Lake Union, Queen Anne
• Eastside & nearby: Bellevue, Kirkland
• North to Marysville and south to Tacoma along the I‑5 corridor

If you’re outside these areas, please contact us — we serve additional communities by request. (Note: outlying services such as Waxahachie mattress disposal or Ellis County are outside Seattle; we can refer local partners where applicable.)

Additional Junk Removal Services

Alongside mattress removal, we offer a full range of junk removal and disposal services in Seattle. Popular add‑ons and bundled options include:

• Couch removal and furniture removal — same crew, combined pricing
• Cabinets removal and appliance haul-away — ideal for kitchen remodels
• Real estate cleanouts — fast turnarounds for agents and property managers
• Bereavement services — respectful, discreet handling when families need extra care

We provide upfront pricing and can create bundled estimates to save you more when removing multiple items. For exact pricing, request a quote — we can usually estimate by photo or give a quick phone estimate and confirm final pricing on-site.

Ready to clear space? See everything we take or get a free estimate and book online now.

Mattress Removal customer testimonials

Mattress Removal and Recycling FAQs

Got questions? We’ve got you covered. Check out the most common questions people ask about our junk removal services: