How to Dispose of a Mattress
in Chicago
Ten ways to get rid of an old mattress in Chicago, from donating and recycling to setting it out for the city or booking a pickup.
Chicago guide · Pickups from the $129 minimum
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10 ways to get rid of a mattress
Donate it
If it's clean and lightly used, call charities and furniture banks first. Many no longer accept used mattresses, so confirm before you haul it over.
Set it out for City pickup
Homes with City of Chicago garbage service (single-family homes and buildings with four or fewer units) can set large items in the alley next to their cart on collection day. Check current rules with CHI 311. Buildings with five or more units use private haulers.
Use a mattress recycler
Mattresses can be broken down into steel, foam and wood. The Mattress Recycling Council has information on recycling options.
Hire a junk removal service
We carry it out from any floor and haul it away. A twin or full set starts at $149, and a queen or king set at $189. See mattress removal.
Drop it at a recycling center
Some recycling and transfer facilities take mattresses, usually for a fee. Call ahead about hours and charges.
List it for free
Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist's free section and Buy Nothing groups work for clean, newer mattresses.
Sell it
A gently used mattress can sell on Marketplace or OfferUp. Clean it and describe its condition honestly.
Ask your retailer
Many stores will haul away the old mattress when they deliver a new one, sometimes for a small fee. Ask before you buy.
Give it to friends or neighbors
A spare guest bed is often welcome. Offer it to family and neighbors before paying to dispose of it.
Wrap it if there are bed bugs
An infested mattress shouldn't be donated, sold or stored. Seal it in plastic and follow our guide to disposing of a mattress with bed bugs.
Reuse ideas before you get rid of it
For mattresses that are clean and free of pests:
Turn it into a daybed
A spare twin mattress on a low frame with a fitted cover and some pillows makes extra seating for a guest room or basement.
Reuse the foam
Cut a clean foam layer into seat cushions, a kneeling pad for the garden or a pet bed.
Store it for later
If you expect a guest room or a move soon, bag it in a mattress cover and store it upright somewhere dry.
Check for bed bugs first. Never reuse, store or donate a mattress with stains, live insects or shed skins. See the EPA bed bug pages.
Mattress pickup prices
| Item or load | Starting price |
|---|---|
| Twin or full mattress & box spring | $149 |
| Queen or king mattress & box spring | $189 |
| Bed frame | $79 |
Starting prices from our pricing page. Minimum charge: $129.
How to Dispose of a Mattress in Chicago: FAQ
Will the City of Chicago take my mattress?
Homes with City of Chicago garbage service (single-family homes and buildings with four or fewer units) can set large items in the alley next to their cart on collection day. Check current rules with CHI 311. Buildings with five or more units use private haulers.
Can I donate a used mattress?
Sometimes. Many charities no longer take used mattresses for hygiene reasons. Call first, and never donate one with stains or signs of bed bugs.
How much does mattress pickup cost?
A twin or full set starts at $149, and a queen or king set at $189. Stairs and extra items can change the quote.
Rather skip the hauling?
Send a photo and we'll confirm the price. Our crew does all the lifting.
Call (312) 521-0935Get my quote