Do you have furniture that you no longer need? Whether you are moving to a new space, looking to spruce up your home decor, or trying to experience the benefits of minimalist living, getting rid of old furniture can be a tedious and confusing process.
The route you take will depend on the amount of furniture you need to get rid of, its condition, and how quickly you want to get rid of it. Keep reading to discover our junk removal experts' guide with five effective methods that will help you disappear furniture you no longer need. We’ll also talk about how to dispose of a couch and other specific pieces of furniture.
How to remove old furniture
1. Recycle or Donate It
Donating or recycling your furniture is a quick and philanthropic way to get rid of lightly used furniture. Some organizations will allow you to schedule a pick-up time at your home, but those are the least of them. In most cases, they will require you to drop off large items at their donation center. We can help you with all the heavy lifting and transportation, so all you need to do is point and we will take care of the rest.
Donation centers vary greatly from region to region, so make sure to look up the specifics for your local donation center. If you cannot find a local donation center, consider donating to local shelters or thrift stores.
2. Leave It At The Curb
If the furniture you hope to get rid of is not in good enough condition to donate, meaning it has major damage, rips, stains, holes, or odors, you may be thinking of putting it to the curb. Just remember that local garbage pickup services have rules and regulations on what can be picked up (not to mention any potential fees or fines), so reach out to them before moving the heavy items outside of your home.
3. Take It To The Landfill
If it turns out that your city, Homeowners Association, or community guidelines does not allow you to leave items outside for someone to pick up, you also have the option to take furniture directly to the landfill, recycling center, or scrap dealer. Be sure to contact the facility you wish to take your unwanted furniture to before arriving, to ensure they are prepared to accept the amount and types of furniture you're getting rid of.
Remember you can always rely on us, your expert junk removal team, to carry and dispose of your items according to local guidelines. This means recycling the recyclables, donating the donatables, and disposing of the junk. We make sure your items are dealt with properly, without you even having to lift or move them around yourself! If you’re thinking about the impact of putting furniture into the landfill, you can learn more about this in our carbon footprint guide.
4. Sell Your Furniture
For those who don’t need to get rid of their furniture right away, and have items in excellent condition, you may have an opportunity to make money off your unwanted items by selling them online. There are numerous free and easy-to-use services, such as social media platforms, community message boards, and classified advertisement websites, that will help you reach your desired audience. An added benefit of selling online is interested buyers will often drive right up to your home and haul away their purchases on their own.
There is also always the age-old tradition of a yard or garage sale for getting rid of unwanted items. However, if you need your items gone right away or they are not in the best condition, selling may not be the best solution to dispose of old furniture.
5. Hire A Junk Removal Service
There are many benefits of using a junk removal service to get rid of unwanted furniture, but the biggest one is they do all the work for you. The 1-800-GOT-JUNK? team will grab your heavy furniture items from your home and load them onto our trucks, you don’t even need to lift a finger!
You can also feel good knowing that all furniture picked up by 1-800-GOT-JUNK? that is capable of being recycled, reused, or reduced is brought to the proper processing facilities. If you are concerned about the cost of removing your unwanted items, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? will do a free no-obligation estimate. For more information about furniture removal, visit our furniture disposal page.
How to get rid of specific pieces of old furniture
Properly disposing of furniture is crucial for both environmental sustainability and the efficient use of resources. From couches to bed frames, old doors to pool tables, here are some instructions for efficient and environmentally friendly disposal.
How to dispose of a couch
When it comes to getting rid of an old sofa or couch, consider these options:
- Donation: Many charities and non-profit organizations accept gently used furniture.
- Recycling centers: Look for local recycling centers that accept furniture. Materials like metal and wood can often be recycled.
- Professional removal services: Consider hiring a professional furniture removal service for convenient and eco-friendly disposal.
Learn more on how to get rid of an old couch.
How to take apart a sofa for moving
If you're moving and need to disassemble your sofa for easier transportation, follow these steps:
- Remove cushions: Take off any removable cushions.
- Unscrew legs: If applicable, unscrew the legs for easier handling.
- Detach sections: If your sofa has multiple sections, separate them to make moving more manageable.
- Wrap parts individually: Protect each part with blankets or bubble wrap to prevent damage during transportation.
How to take apart old wood furniture for easy transportation
Taking apart old wood furniture can simplify the disposal process. Follow these general steps:
- Gather tools: You may need screwdrivers, pliers, and possibly a hammer.
- Identify fasteners: Locate screws, nuts, or bolts that hold the furniture together.
- Remove hardware: Carefully remove all hardware while keeping track of each piece.
- Label parts: Label or group similar parts to make reassembly, donation, or recycling more straightforward.
How to dispose of a car seat without harming the environment
Car seats pose unique challenges due to safety regulations. Consider the following options:
- Check for recycling programs: Some regions offer car seat recycling programs. Check with local authorities or retailers.
- Contact manufacturers: Some manufacturers have take-back programs for recycling.
- Destroy before disposal: Consumer Reports says a car seat is good only for six years beyond date of manufacture. If it’s older than that, or if the car seat has been in a crash, it shouldn’t be reused. Cut the straps and remove padding to render the seat unusable before disposing of it responsibly.
How to dispose of old doors and what to look out for
When disposing of old doors, consider the following:
- Reuse or repurpose: Old doors can be repurposed for various DIY projects or donated for reuse.
- Recycling centers: Look for facilities that accept wood for recycling.
- Remove hardware: Before disposal, remove any hardware such as handles, locks, or hinges.
How to take apart a bed frame and its parts for easier disposal
Disassembling a bed frame is essential for efficient disposal. Follow these steps:
- Remove mattress and bedding: Clear the bed frame of any bedding materials.
- Identify fasteners: Locate and remove screws or bolts holding the frame together.
- Separate parts: Disassemble the headboard, footboard, and side rails.
- Bundle and label: Bundle similar parts together and label them for easy identification.
How to take a pool table apart for moving
Disassembling a pool table is a delicate process. Follow these steps:
- Remove the balls and accessories: Take off the pool balls, cues, and any other accessories.
- Unscrew the rails: Carefully unscrew the rails from the table.
- Detach the felt: If possible, remove the felt for safe transportation.
- Label parts: Label each part to simplify reassembly.
Learn more about how to get rid of a pool table.
Dispose of Your Furniture with 1-800-GOT-JUNK?
When it comes to getting rid of unwanted furniture, there are several different options you can explore: Donate it, leave it at the curb, take it to the landfill, sell it yourself, or hire a junk removal service. Finding the option that works best for you can be difficult and time-consuming, and will depend on many factors, including the condition of the items, the amount of furniture you need to get rid of, and how quickly you want to get rid of those items.
If you would rather leave furniture disposal to the professionals, take a look at our furniture disposal page or contact your local 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise for a free, no-obligation quote. We’re happy to help make furniture disposal quick and easy!
