What to do with unwanted furniture in the US

Check what can legally be passed on

Most furniture can be resold or donated freely, but some items cannot: drop-side cribs and recalled products should not be resold or donated, and anything with visible damage, staining, pet damage or a smoke smell will be refused. Look up the item on the CPSC recall list if it is a crib, bunk bed or anything for children.

1. Sell it

Solid wood, mid-century, branded, nursery furniture and anything currently expensive new all sell well locally. Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp suit pickup-only items; measure it, photograph it in good light, and say clearly that the buyer picks up and whether help loading is available.

Price for a quick local sale rather than a national market — most furniture buyers are comparing against something they can pick up this weekend.

2. Donate it

Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salvation Army, Goodwill and local furniture banks often collect usable furniture free, and reuse programs pass it to people setting up homes. Call first: they will ask about condition, upholstery and access. Keep the receipt if you plan to claim a deduction.

3. Give it away locally

Free listings, Buy Nothing groups and curb alerts move usable-but-plain furniture within days, which beats paying to have it hauled. Ask whoever collects to bring straps and a second pair of hands, and check your city's rules before leaving anything at the curb.

4. Recycle or dispose

• City bulk trash pickup — often included or a small fee, usually scheduled in advance.
• Transfer station or landfill — priced by weight; check what your load includes.
• Licensed junk removal — priced by truck volume; ask for insurance and a receipt.
• Mattresses are handled separately at most sites, and some states run mattress recycling programs with a fee collected at purchase.
• Refrigerators, freezers, TVs and anything electronic go through appliance or e-waste recycling, not regular trash.

If you are clearing a whole home

Sell or give away the good pieces before a cleanout company quotes. Fewer truck loads means a lower quote, and usable furniture reaching someone who needs it is a better outcome than the landfill.

Common questions

Will a charity pick up my couch for free?

Many will, if it is clean, undamaged and free of pet or smoke odor. Call to check what your local branch accepts before booking anything else.

How do I get rid of a mattress?

Most cities take mattresses on bulk pickup or at a transfer station, often for a fee, some states run recycling programs, and many retailers haul the old one away on delivery.

Is it worth selling old furniture?

Solid wood, mid-century, nursery and branded pieces usually are. Flat-pack in average condition is generally better given away.

Try it on one of your own items

Photograph a single item and KindSort suggests a rough price range, the best place to sell it and a title and description you can paste straight in. No account needed for one item.