Mattress Disposal or deciding when is time to buy a new one is more important than most people realise. Getting a good night's sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your body; to do that, you need a good mattress. If you find yourself waking up consistently throughout the night, or having trouble falling asleep, it's time to invest in a new mattress, but what do you do with your old one? This article will look into the different ways you can dispose of your old mattress.
Signs It Is Time for a New Mattress
Even though a mattress is something you use every day, you might not recognize when it's time to invest in a new one. While some signs might be obvious, others might not be as clear when it's time to dispose of your current mattress. Either way, you should look for the following signs that your mattress may be getting too old.
Noise
When you go to sit or lay down on your mattress, you shouldn't hear any noises. If you begin to hear squeaking sounds or screeching metal noises, it may be a sign your mattress is too worn. These sounds usually come from the metal springs inside a mattress. In some cases, the coils inside may just need to be tightened or replaced if one is damaged, though most of the time it is a sign of wear and tear. A noisy mattress could mean it's not as supportive as it once was, and it's time to start looking for other sleeping options.
Sagging
A visual sign that your mattress may be too old is if it appears to be sagging, or has a significant indent on one or more sides. This occurs from normal wear and tear when the foam inside starts to lose shape and the springs inside start to lose tension. Normally, when you get off a mattress, the foam should return to its original shape. If it doesn't, you may want to consider looking for a new mattress.
Pain
Though you might not think right away that your mattress is the reason you are waking up in pain, it could be the culprit. After years of use, your mattress will become less and less supportive. If you start waking up with back pain or neck pain, it could be a sign that your mattress has lost some elasticity. When this happens, it is essential to start shopping for a new mattress to ensure you wake up pain-free and limit the risk of further injuring yourself.
How Much Does It Cost To Dispose of Your Old Mattress
Finally getting a new mattress can be exciting, but you have to keep in mind you still must dispose of your old mattress. There are a few different ways you can get rid of an old mattress. Sometimes the company who you purchase your new mattress will remove the old one during the delivery. Other times you can have your local trash service come pick it up for you. You can also dispose of it yourself, and bring it to a landfill. Despite the option you choose, there will likely be a fee.
The average cost to dispose of a mattress is around $75, though this price can change depending on which disposal service you use. To do it yourself, it could be as low as $20 to simply take it to a landfill. If you choose to have a professional come remove your mattress, it could cost as much as $150. This includes the labour cost and the disposal price.
If you're wondering why prices could get so high to simply dispose of old mattresses, that is due to the fact modern-day mattresses usually have a lot of chemicals and materials that are harder to dispose of. Getting the job done properly may cost a little extra.
Where To Go To Dispose of an Old Mattress
When it's time to dispose of your old mattress, there will be a few different options to consider.
Research Local Programs
To start, it is always smart to research if your state participates in mattress recycling programs. States like Connecticut, Rhode Island, and California all offer mattress recycling programs at little to no cost. If this is an option in your state, you should consider recycling your mattress.
Bring It to a Landfill
One of the cheapest ways to dispose of an old mattress is to just bring it to a local landfill. There might be a small fee to drop it off, but doing it yourself can save you the most money.
Professional Services
If you don't have the option or time to bring your old mattress to a landfill, you can hire professionals to come to remove the mattress for you. This could be your local trash program or another service specializing in mattress disposals. They will come directly to your home, remove, and dispose of your old mattress for you. Depending on the size of your mattress and the way they dispose of it could affect the cost of the service.
Donate It
If your mattress is still in decent condition, you can consider bringing it to a local donation centre. Sometimes, local donation centres will even pick up your mattress for free. Depending on where you go, you also may even qualify for a tax deduction.
Some donation centres that typically accept mattresses are Goodwill, The Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and Habitat for Humanity. Donating your mattress could be a great way to repurpose your mattress and offer it to someone in need, as charities know how to clean a mattress and will give it another life.
To Recap
It is essential to recognize the signs when it comes to needing a new mattress. Normal wear and tear cause the mattress to become less supportive, which can lead to an uncomfortable night's sleep. Once this occurs, it's time for a new mattress.
There are a few different ways to go about disposing of your old mattress. You can do it yourself and bring it to a landfill, or professionals can come to dispose of it for you. Just keep in mind there will usually be a fee involved. Make sure to do your research before disposing of any mattress to find out which option will work best for you and your needs.
Image attribution: City of Fort Collins / John Robson
