Short answer: yes—if it meets strict “clean, tagged, no bugs” rules. This guide shows the checklist, state laws, who still wants beds, and what to do when donation flops.
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First, pass the donation-ready check
- No rips, big stains, smells, or bedbugs. Drivers refuse damaged beds on sight. rentokil.comearth911.com
- Law tag intact. Many charities need that white label to prove content and age. sleepproducts.orgamericanlawlabel.com
- Under 5–8 years old. Salvation Army and others cap age to keep inventory saleable. earth911.comexmattress.com
- Wrapped in plastic on pickup day. Stops dust and pests. earth911.com
- Paired box spring meets the same rules. A dirty base will sink the mattress, too. tomsguide.com
Watch state tagging and sanitizing laws
Many states require yellow “second-hand sanitized” labels or proof of disinfection before resale. checkout.nolahmattress.comsleepproducts.orgiabflo.org Some states ban reselling used beds entirely, pushing charities to refuse them. Always check your local health agency before loading the truck. checkout.nolahmattress.com
Where to donate a mattress right now
| charity / program | takes beds? | key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Salvation Army | Yes | Clean, tagged, no pests earth911.comrentokil.com |
| Habitat ReStore | Rarely (new-in-bag only) | Must be sealed plastic austinhabitat.org |
| St. Vincent de Paul (Austin) | Yes, if excellent | Call first; space is tight ssvdp.org |
| Furniture Bank Network | Yes | Ready-to-use only furniturebanks.orgfurniturebank.org |
| Earth911 recycler finder | Recycle beds | Zip-code search earth911.com |
Quick backups
- Paid haulers like Ex-Mattress clean and re-home beds when charities say no. exmattress.com
- List on Asherfield—keep 85% of the sale, skip hagglers, and help a local buyer.
When to recycle instead
If the bed fails any checklist point, recycle it through a Mattress Recycling Council site or a local program listed on Earth911. mattressrecyclingcouncil.orgearth911.com Recycling saves up to 80 lb of steel, foam, and fiber from landfill. bhg.com
FAQ (people also ask)
Can you donate mattresses with minor stains?
No—even light discoloration triggers health refusals. rentokil.com
Do I get a tax break?
Yes—IRS allows itemized deduction with a charity receipt for gifts over $250. 1800gotjunk.cominvestopedia.com
Why won’t Goodwill take mattresses?
Health risks, pest control costs, and state rules make beds a hard no. tomsguide.com
Who picks up beds for free?
Salvation Army and some furniture banks do curb pickups in select zips. earth911.comfurniturebanks.org
Can I donate just the box spring?
Yes—if it meets the same clean-and-tag rules; call first to confirm. tomsguide.com
Wrap-up
If the mattress is spotless, tagged, and bug-free, donate it to a listed charity and snag a tax write-off. If not, recycle it or list on Asherfield for quick cash and an 85% payout. Need more routes? Jump back to our national donation guide or learn the best way to donate box springs. Together, we keep beds out of landfills—one clean hand-off at a time.