Bulk pickup, retailer take-back, donation or haul away. The pros and cons of every option.
Mattresses are one of the most awkward things to get rid of. They are heavy, floppy, they do not fit in most cars, and you cannot just toss them in the trash bin. If you live in metro Atlanta, here are your real options.
Many cities and counties in the Atlanta area offer bulk item collection for things like mattresses and furniture. How it works varies a lot. Some require you to request a pickup ahead of time, some limit how many items you can put out, and some charge a fee. Leaving a mattress at the curb without a scheduled pickup can lead to a code violation in some places.
Pros: often low cost or included in your sanitation fees. Cons: you have to get the mattress to the curb yourself, and you may wait a while for the pickup.
When you buy a new mattress, many retailers will haul away the old one at delivery, sometimes for an extra fee. Ask before you buy.
Pros: convenient. Cons: only works if you are buying new from that retailer, and sometimes the old mattress must be stripped and ready at the exact moment of delivery.
Some charities accept mattresses, but most have strict rules. They usually want them clean, free of stains and tears, and sometimes with a manufacturer's label. Call ahead. Many will not take used mattresses at all for hygiene reasons.
A mattress is mostly steel, foam, wood and fabric, and much of it can be recovered. Mattress recycling options in Georgia are limited compared to some states, but they exist. A junk removal company that recycles can route your mattress there when possible.
A mattress removal service carries the mattress out of your bedroom, down the stairs and away. No dragging, no curb, no waiting for a pickup day.
Pros: fastest, no lifting, and you can add the bed frame, an old dresser or anything else in the same trip. Cons: costs more than a free bulk pickup.
If you have had bed bugs, say so up front, no matter which option you pick. Infested mattresses need to be wrapped and handled carefully so the problem does not spread. Some services cannot take them.
"Easy process and our mattress and box spring are gone!" one of our reviewers wrote. Call (470) 456-2357 and we can often take it the same day. Getting a new bedroom set? We handle the rest of the old furniture too.
Furniture, appliances, mattresses, garage and estate cleanouts, yard waste and debris. Fair price up front, same-day when the schedule allows.