What Can I Do With Old Furniture?
Getting rid of old furniture is easier said than done, and it leaves many people wondering what to do with their old couch. After all, you can’t simply toss a couch in your trash can and expect the waste management company to pick it up. You’re not alone if you’re not sure what to do with old furniture.
Bring your old furniture to Goodwill or Salvation Army and donate it to get rid of it and support good causes. You can also list your furniture on Facebook Marketplace and sell it to make some extra money. Otherwise, you can call a landfill or recycling center and see if they will accept your old furniture.
Never leave your furniture out on the curb without scheduling large item pickup. Trash collection services only pick up old furniture if you schedule a bulk item collection. Follow along as we explore what to do with old furniture.
How To Get Rid Of Old Furniture
1. Donate It
You may no longer have use for your old furniture, but someone else might. Today, donating old furniture is easier than ever as you can quickly find charities and organizations that accept it. Search for local organizations, such as Goodwill and the Salvation Army, near your home.
They often accept furniture, but they sometimes have requirements. For example, they may not take your old furniture if it’s covered in stains, pet hair, and holes. That’s why it’s a great idea to research the organization’s drop-off policy before you bring your furniture.
After all, nobody wants to load and haul furniture only to find out they must bring it back home. It’s also worth calling ahead to see if they’re willing to accept furniture that day. In some cases, they may not have space, so you may have to wait until they’re ready for it.
2. Sell It
There’s nothing wrong with making a little extra money when you must get rid of old furniture. There’s a good chance that you plan to buy new furniture, so why not sell your old furniture and put the money toward a new couch?
Today, selling old furniture is as easy as listing it on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Post pictures of your furniture and describe its condition to let customers know what to expect. Transparency goes a long way when selling anything online.
Check online to see what other homeowners charge for secondhand furniture. This can give you a good idea of how much to charge someone for your old couch or chair. However, it’s a great idea to have the customer meet you somewhere other than your house. After all, it’s hard to trust strangers sometimes.
3. Schedule A Pickup
Trash collection companies understandably won’t accept old furniture unless you tell them about it beforehand. Most furniture is simply too big to fit in the truck with everyone else’s trash. That’s why you must call ahead or schedule a bulk item pickup online to avoid problems.
Otherwise, they will leave your old furniture on the curb, and you must move it again. You can typically schedule one bulk item pickup each week with your standard trash collection service. This doesn’t come at an extra cost in most cases unless you schedule more than one bulk item pickup.
They will tell you which day they plan to collect your old furniture, so don’t put it on the curb until then. Otherwise, you may upset your neighbors and even get in trouble if you live in an HOA neighborhood. This is the best option if your old furniture is not in good enough condition to sell or donate.
4. Pay For Furniture Disposal
Another option is to hire a furniture disposal service or a moving company to get rid of your old furniture. Trash disposal services and movers charge customers based on the size and weight of the furniture. Naturally, disposing of bulky furniture is more difficult than removing a small chair.
You can expect to spend between $75 and $250 to hire a trash disposal company to remove your furniture. Moving companies also offer this service at a similar rate, but they don’t always do it unless you’re also moving. It’s worth the cost of hiring a service if your furniture is in bad shape and you don’t want to bring it to a dump site.
5. Drop It Off At A Landfill
You can typically take old furniture to a landfill at a low cost. However, it varies based on location, so it’s worth calling ahead if you’re worried about the price. Keep in mind that landfills typically enforce regulations regarding what they’ll accept.
For example, they won’t likely accept anything that has electronic components. That means you can’t likely drop off a massage chair and heated couch, as they contain electronic components. Otherwise, you may face fines if you drop something off that goes against what they accept.
Luckily, you won’t have to spend a fortune to bring your old furniture to a landfill. The average cost to junk a large item is $30 in many areas, or between $10 and $50. Some people bring extra cash to tip the employees, which is nice if they help you unload your furniture.
6. Recycle It
A lot of furniture contains recyclable materials, such as metal and wood. You can do your part to reduce our carbon footprint if you recycle your old furniture. Granted, you cannot simply put your old furniture in a recycling bin for standard pickup.
They won’t accept it, so you must instead call your local recycling center to see if they’ll accept it. It’s a bad idea to show up and drop the furniture off without scheduling it in advance. Not all recycling centers accept bulk items, so call as many local centers as possible if one won’t accept your old furniture.
You can also take decorative metal furniture to metal scrap centers. In that case, they may even give you money in exchange for your metal furniture. Granted, it won’t likely be much, but it’s worth the effort if you want some extra money.
How Often Should You Replace Furniture?
Many homeowners replace their furniture after 7 to 50 years, which is a huge range. However, that’s because so many variables affect how long furniture can last. For example, you may replace furniture in less than 5 years if your pets damage it with scratches and urine.
However, some tables can easily last up to 50 years if they’re made of durable materials and you take great care of them. It’s a great idea to replace a couch after 15 years, however, as it can become quite uncomfortable. Beds are the most important type of furniture to stay on top of replacing.
That’s because mattresses go through a lot of wear and tear throughout their lifespans. Sweat, skin oils, and body weight can wear a mattress out much sooner than you’d expect. That’s why most people replace their mattresses every 8 to 20 years.
Summing It Up
The best way to get rid of old furniture is to sell it or donate it to a local charity. Otherwise, you can call your trash collection service and schedule a bulk item pickup to get rid of your furniture. Landfills and recycling centers also typically accept old furniture, but it’s worth calling to confirm before you arrive.
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Nick Durante is a professional writer with a primary focus on home improvement. When he is not writing about home improvement or taking on projects around the house, he likes to read and create art. He is always looking towards the newest trends in home improvement.
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