How to Dispose of Furniture

Find the Best Furniture Disposal Option for You

If you’re getting ready to move, downsize or simply update your furnishings, you need to know how to dispose of old furniture efficiently. Depending on the condition of your furniture and your local disposal options, getting rid of old furniture can be tricky. Use the information below to determine which furniture disposal option makes sense for you.

Assess the Condition of Your Furniture

In order to decide how best to get rid of your old furniture, you first need to determine what shape it’s in. Furniture in good condition can be donated to charity. However, furniture that’s past its prime should be thrown out.

Your furniture can be donated if:

The item can be used as-is, with no need for repairs.
Upholstery is free of major rips, stains and odors.
Wood is free of major scratches or gouges.
The item has never been infested with bedbugs or other pests.

Options for Donating Old Furniture

Donating your old furniture allows you to get rid of couches, chairs, dressers and other large items by passing them along to someone else. Depending on your location, you can find many organizations that accept donations and some that will even pick up the furniture for you. Begin your search for where to throw away furniture here:

These donation centers usually offer furniture pickup:

Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Salvation Army (Also allows for drop-off)
National Furniture Bank Association (Also allows for drop-off depending on location)
Vietnam Veterans Association (Small furniture only)
Local Furniture Banks

These donation centers typically require furniture drop-off:

Goodwill
Local Shelters

Keep in mind that even if your furniture is in excellent condition, your chosen charity may not be able to take it based on patrons’ current needs or how much storage space they have available.

Options for Disposing of Your Furniture

How you throw away furniture largely depends on how much furniture you need to get rid of and how quickly you want to get the job done. Here are a few options for disposing of furniture.

Dumpster Rental

This option is best for quickly getting rid of a large amount of furniture. A dumpster rental is a good choice if you’re preparing for a move or downsizing, since you can use a dumpster to get rid of the other junk you don’t want as well. Dumpster rental costs will vary by location, and your rental will come with a weight limit. Call us at 1-866-284-6164 to find out more about dumpster rentals for disposing of furniture.

Curbside Collection

This is a great disposal option if you have a few smaller items. Reach out to your local service provider for regulations prior to disposal. Some waste removal companies will charge extra to pick up furniture in addition to your regular trash or will require you to seal upholstered furniture in plastic before curbside collection will accept it. In some areas, it won’t be accepted at all.

Bulk Collection Days

This option is best if you need to get rid of a couch or other large item but aren’t in a hurry. Your city may also allow residents to schedule bulk collection dates. Your city may limit how many items or what type of items you can dispose of on bulk collection days. Contact your local provider for information.

Junk Removal Service

A junk removal company will come to your home and remove your items for you. With a junk removal service, you will pay according to how much space your items take up in their truck. This is different than a dumpster rental where you typically pay one rate to fill your dumpster as much as you want, provided you stay within the weight limit.