How to Dispose of Old Furniture: 6 Options Compared
Getting rid of furniture doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. From free donation pickup to dumpster rental, here are all your options ranked by cost and effort — so you can choose the right one for your situation.
| Option | Cost |
|---|---|
| Donate to Charity (Free) | Free |
| Sell It Online | Free (or earn money) |
| Curbside / Bulk Pickup | Free or low cost |
| Junk Removal Service | $75–$600+ |
| Rent a Dumpster | $275–$450 (10-yd) |
| Furniture Retailer Haul-Away | Free–$30 per item |
All 6 Options In Detail
1. Donate to Charity (Free)
Best for: Furniture in good condition
Organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salvation Army, and Goodwill accept gently used furniture and often offer free scheduled pickup. Your furniture gets a second life and you may qualify for a tax deduction.
Pros
- + Completely free
- + Tax deduction possible
- + Furniture gets reused
- + Free pickup at many locations
Cons
- − Only takes clean, undamaged items
- − Scheduling required
- − May have waiting list
Where to go: Habitat for Humanity ReStore · Salvation Army · Goodwill · Local shelters & churches
2. Sell It Online
Best for: Quality furniture with resale value
List on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or OfferUp. Nice furniture can sell for $50–$500+. For high-end pieces, consider Chairish or 1stDibs. If you want fast removal without cash, list it as "free" — people will typically haul it themselves within hours.
Pros
- + Can earn money
- + Free to list
- + Buyer handles removal
- + "Free" listings move quickly
Cons
- − Time to photograph and list
- − No-shows and flaky buyers
- − May take days or weeks
- − Only for sellable condition items
Where to go: Facebook Marketplace · Craigslist · OfferUp · Chairish (high-end)
3. Curbside / Bulk Pickup
Best for: Residents with scheduled bulk pickup service
Many municipalities offer bulk item pickup — usually a few times per year or on request. Check with your city's waste management department. Some cities charge a small fee per item. Simply place furniture at the curb on the scheduled day.
Pros
- + Little to no cost
- + No hauling required
- + Eco-friendly
Cons
- − Infrequent schedules
- − Not all cities offer it
- − Items sit outside until pickup
Where to go: Your city waste management website · 311 call center
4. Junk Removal Service
Best for: Heavy items or when you cannot move furniture yourself
Companies like 1-800-GOT-JUNK, LoadUp, or local providers send a crew to load and haul your furniture. Ideal for heavy pieces (pianos, sectionals) or when you're not able to do any lifting. Most offer same-day or next-day service.
Pros
- + Zero effort — crew does everything
- + Same-day available
- + Can handle any condition furniture
- + No space or equipment needed
Cons
- − Most expensive per-item option
- − Price jumps with volume
- − Must be home for appointment
Where to go: 1-800-GOT-JUNK · LoadUp · College HUNKS · Local junk removal companies
5. Rent a Dumpster
Best for: Multiple pieces or combined with other debris
When clearing out multiple rooms of furniture — or doing a renovation at the same time — a roll-off dumpster is the most cost-effective option. A 10-yard dumpster holds 3–5 sofas, multiple mattresses, and several rooms of household junk.
Pros
- + Best value for large volumes
- + Work at your own pace
- + Combine with other debris
- + Keep for 7–14 days
Cons
- − You do the loading
- − Needs driveway space
- − Minimum cost even for light loads
6. Furniture Retailer Haul-Away
Best for: Replacing furniture with a new purchase
Many furniture retailers (IKEA, Ashley, Wayfair, local stores) offer haul-away of your old furniture when they deliver new pieces. This is the easiest option when you're already buying replacement furniture. Fees typically range from free to $30 per item.
Pros
- + Convenient — happens at delivery
- + Often free or very cheap
- + No scheduling required
Cons
- − Only available when buying new furniture
- − Not all retailers offer it
- − Limited to items being replaced
Where to go: IKEA · Ashley Furniture · Wayfair · Local furniture stores
Best Option by Furniture Type
| Furniture Type | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Sofa / Sectional | Donate or sell |
| Mattress | Junk removal or dumpster |
| Bed frame | Sell or donate |
| Dresser / Wardrobe | Sell or donate |
| Dining table + chairs | Sell or donate |
| Desk | Sell or dumpster |
| Multiple pieces at once | Dumpster rental |
| Piano | Junk removal |
Related Guides & Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get rid of a sofa for free?
You can get rid of a sofa for free by donating it to organizations like Habitat for Humanity ReStore, Salvation Army, or Goodwill — many offer free pickup. You can also list it on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist as "free" and people will often haul it themselves. Some municipalities offer free bulk item pickup a few times per year.
Can you put furniture in a dumpster?
Yes, most furniture is accepted in roll-off dumpsters — sofas, mattresses (sometimes with a fee), bed frames, dressers, dining sets, and more. A 10-yard dumpster can typically handle a few rooms of furniture. This is the best option when you have a large amount of furniture to dispose of at once.
How much does furniture removal cost?
Junk removal companies typically charge $75–$150 per item for single-item pickup, or $200–$600 for a half-truckload. Renting a dumpster costs $275–$450 for a 10-yard container, which makes more sense when you have multiple pieces. Donation pickup is usually free for qualifying items.
Does Habitat for Humanity pick up furniture?
Yes, Habitat for Humanity ReStore offers free furniture pickup in many areas. They accept gently used furniture in good condition — no rips, stains, or structural damage. Schedule a pickup online at habitat.org. Items are resold to fund affordable housing projects.
Can I leave furniture on the curb?
Curb disposal rules vary by city. Many municipalities have a bulk item pickup program where residents schedule large-item pickups a few times per year. Some allow furniture curbside on trash day. Others prohibit it and may fine you. Always check your city's waste management rules first.
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