Mattress Disposal: What Should I Do With My Old Bed and Mattress?

There’s nothing better than the feeling of your first night’s sleep in a brand-new bed set. Just imagine curling up under that duvet, sinking into those pillows and closing your eyes – absolute bliss!

However, when you buy a new bed, there is always a niggle in the back of your mind: what you should do with your old bed and mattress once your new one arrives? In fact, one of the most common questions we get asked here at Bensons for Beds is “how should I dispose of my old mattress once I have bought a new one?”

If your old bed and mattress is still in pretty good nick but you haven’t got space in the spare room for it, then it might seem a shame to take it to the tip. After all, someone else could still get plenty of use out of it.

Luckily, here at Bensons for Beds, we’ve got an excellent solution. Our customers can wave a fond and cheery goodbye to their old bed whilst doing their bit for charity at the same time, thanks to our partnership with the British Heart Foundation.

Here, we take a look at how the British Heart Foundation’s bed and mattress collection service works and whether your old bed could be suitable for this service.

JUMP TO: How to dispose of mattress

When should I replace my bed?

Sleep is so important to both our mental and physical health and the right bed is a huge part of getting a restful night’s sleep. A comfortable bed and a good quality mattress can make all the difference to how you sleep at night, offering your body the support and comfort it needs while you sleep.

It is generally advised that you should start thinking about replacing your bed every seven to eight years, at the same time as you might think about getting a new mattress. After all, you sleep on your bed for hours every night, not to mention relaxing on your bed, watching TV and reading. So, it does get a lot of use.

Of course, interior fashions also change and so it may just be that you’ve fallen out of love with a bed that you once adored and there’s no shame in that. This means that you may want to change your bed sooner than the recommended timeframe.

If you have started feeling uncomfortable in bed, waking up with aches and pains, or getting less sleep than usual then it may be time to look into buying a new mattress or bed frame.

How long should a mattress normally last?

Sleep experts estimate that we spend approximately one-third of our lifetime in bed (1). So, a good-quality mattress can be the difference between a restful night’s sleep and tossing and turning all night long.

But even the best quality mattresses will naturally degrade over time and need replacing at some point.

The lifespan of a mattress depends on a variety of factors, including the type of mattress, how often you sleep on it, the quality of your mattress, your bodyweight and the position in which you sleep (2).

For example, do you sleep in the same position each night? Or are you more likely to be moving around?

To improve the lifespan of your mattress, be sure to buy a high quality one and clean it regularly.

Generally speaking, the advice from experts suggests that a good quality mattress should last between 7 and 8 years. And it could possibly last even longer if looked after properly.

When should I replace my mattress?

A good way to test if you need a new mattress is to sleep over at a friend’s house, or treat yourself to a stay in a hotel!

If you find that you are getting a better night’s rest when you are sleeping in a different bed, this is a strong indicator that it is time to replace your mattress!

If you are not sure how long you have had your mattress or whether you need to be on the lookout for a replacement, there are a few tell-tale signs to look out for:

Replacing your mattress: do you wake up with aches and pains?

If your mattress is past its best, it will no longer offer you the same level of comfort and support that it once did.

So if you wake up each morning with aches and pains in your body which then ease during the day, it could well be time to replace your mattress.

Replacing your mattress: does it feel lumpy?

Chances are, you sleep on your own mattress most nights. And if you usually sleep in the same position, body impressions and lumps are likely to appear after a while.

If there are lumps (whether visible or invisible) in your mattress or it feels as though it is sagging in areas, a replacement is necessary in the near future.

Replacing your mattress: have your sleep needs changed?

As we get older, our bodies tend to need more support while we sleep. Some people find that they need to replace their mattress with a firmer one in their later years. If you are dreaming of a firmer bed, a replacement could be the right move!

Check out our bed and mattress buying guide to see which level of firmness would suit you best.

Replacing your mattress: are you are itching or sneezing during the night?

Over time, as gross as it might sound, the truth is that mattresses accumulate dust and dead skin simply because you sleep on them every night.

This can cause sneezing or itching as it irritates your skin or sinuses as you sleep. So if you find that you are sneezing or itching more than usual, then it could be time to replace your mattress (3).

If you think it might be time to replace your mattress then have a look at some of the different types of mattresses we have to offer. With access to memory foam, hybrid, pocket sprung mattresses and more in every size, finding your ideal fit is easy at Bensons. 

Shop all Mattress Types

 

 

The British Heart Foundation bed and mattress donation scheme

Do Bensons for Beds remove old beds and mattresses?

Although here at Bensons for Beds we do offer a mattresses and divan bed disposal scheme, we have also partnered with the British Heart Foundation. This partnership provides a free collection service for your old mattress, bed and bedroom furniture for our customers.

The charity offers a free furniture pick-up service for customers who have bought a new bed or mattress from Bensons for Beds. The British Heart Foundation will come and collect your unwanted bed frame, mattress or bedroom furniture. They will then re-sell these in their network of shops right across the UK to raise money for the BHF charity.

And the money made from the sale of your bed and bedroom furniture will provide much-needed funds for the charity. It is donations like these that help the British Hear Foundation to continue their essential and pioneering work in cardiovascular research.

But, as well as raising money for a fantastic cause, donating your old bed or mattress can also save you money too. Disposing of a mattress or bed can be pricy. You may have to hire a van to take your old bed and mattress to the tip. Or, at the very least, there’s fuel costs to consider.

How to arrange a free bed or mattress removal service

When you’re ready to get rid of your bed or mattress, simply call 0808 250 0084 to arrange your free collection. You can also or book your collection online via the British Heart Foundation’s website. They’ll even take any unwanted bedroom furniture off your hands too.

Once you’ve entered your details, the BHF team will get in touch and let you know when they’re able to remove your old bed and mattress, at a time which suits you.

The BHF’s drivers will arrive at the agreed time for your old bed and mattress removal. They’ll even remove the items from inside your home to save you having to do any of the heavy lifting. They’re quick and efficient, making this one of the most convenient ways to donate your bedroom furniture.

Be sure to arrange the date for your British Heart Foundation collection after your new bed has arrived – after all, you don’t want to be left without a bed!

We would like to thank you in advance for your donation. So far, Bensons for Beds customers have raised a whopping £7.3 million+ for the British Heart Foundation!

Check out more information on how to recycle your bed with the British Heart Foundation.

Will the British Heart Foundation accept my old bed and mattress?

Unfortunately, the British Heart Foundation cannot accept just any old bed frame or mattress - it does have to be in good, reusable condition.

They are unable to collect furniture which is not suitable to re-sell. This means it must be suitable for someone to use straight away, as it will be going on to a new home.

For quality and safety reasons all bed frames, bases and mattress must be in a usable condition. Broken, torn or damaged items cannot be accepted. Your mattress must be clean and free from stains.

Your mattress, bed base, divan or upholstered bedroom furniture will also need to have a valid fire safety label securely attached to it.

The British Heart Foundation’s van drivers will make the final decision on whether your bed can be accepted or not. Do not be disappointed if your bed cannot be taken - there are alternative ways you can dispose of your old bed and mattress.

Other ways to get rid of your bed frame or mattress

If your bed frame or mattress isn’t suitable for resale by the British Heart Foundation then don’t worry. There are plenty of other ways to dispose of them or give them a new lease of life.

Disposing of your old bed or mattress: give it to a friend or family member

Do you know anyone that’s just starting out with a new home and needs some furniture to get themselves settled? Perhaps someone you know has fallen on hard times and needs a little bit of a helping hand.

Giving your old bed frame or mattress to a friend or family member could really help to tide them over until they are able to purchase one of their own. Just make sure they’re still clean, usable and can be slept on comfortably before giving them away.

Disposing of your old bed or mattress: recycle it

If you’re reluctant to take your bed or mattress to a tip and you’re looking for a more sustainable option, then there are bed recycling companies who can come and take your bed frame and mattress away.

We offer a mattress recycling scheme too. For a small fee, we will collect your old divan bed base and mattress. We will then break it down into parts to be recycled. At present this service is available on divan bed bases and mattresses only.

Another thing to be aware of is that although bed frames are not accepted in your household recycling bin, your local waste recycling centre does accept them. So, you could take your bed frame here. You will need to transport the bed frame to the local waste recycling centre yourself though.

Disposing of your old bed and mattress: resell it

If your bed or mattress is in a reasonable enough condition to be used again, why not try selling it on locally? List it on sites such as Gumtree, Freecycle or Facebook Marketplace.

A good way to see what sort of price you should list your old bed and mattress for is to check what other beds are selling for in your area. Then, benchmark the condition of your bed frame against these. Offering it for collection only is also a great idea as it will save you having to transport the bed to its new home yourself.

You could also advertise your bed for free if you don’t need the extra cash. Again, this will save you the cost and effort of transporting the bed yourself. You may even be able to do this if your bed isn’t in the best condition as some people may just be looking to use the materials that your bed frame is made from for other purposes.

Disposing of your old bed and mattress: request a local council collection

Most local councils offer collection service that applies to old mattresses, beds and other pieces of furniture. There is usually a small charge for this service, although some local authorities do offer it for free. To find out the charge for this service in England or Wales, simply visit the gov.uk website and type in your postcode.

If you live in Northern Ireland or Scotland then visit your local council’s website to find out how much they charge for mattress collection.

Although many local authorities say that they will recycle some or all of the items they collect, there is no guarantee that your bed or mattress will not end up in a landfill. So, this might not be the best option if you are looking to get rid of your mattress in an eco-friendly way.

Disposing of your old bed and mattress: take it to the tip

A good option for bed or mattress disposal is to take them to your local tip. However, this does mean that you will have to transport it there yourself which can be a pain if the bed or mattress will not easily fit in your car. Hiring a van to dispose of your old bed or mattress is also an option. But it’s one that could prove costly.

Do Bensons for Beds remove old mattresses?

Yes, we absolutely do. What’s more, we can arrange to collect your old mattress and any divan bed bases at the same time as we deliver your new one. Want to learn more? Check out our ‘recycling your mattress with Bensons’ page to find out everything you need to know.

Sources:

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21056174/
2. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/how-long-should-a-mattress-last
3. https://www.avera.org/balance/allergy-and-immunology/allergies-is-my-bedding-making-me-sick/