How do you dispose of your old mattress? Here are some free, paid, and recycling options.
So you are preparing to shop for a new mattress to increase the comfort of your bed. But how will you properly let go of your old mattress? While many mattresses end up in landfills, there are more useful and environmentally friendly options we suggest you try. Are they trickier? Perhaps, but they are far more efficient.
Before you go to your favourite mattress shop to buy your new mattress, it's good to plan your mattress disposal for a seamless transition. This way, you don't have to worry about your old mattress taking up so much space in your home.
So, what's a bed disposal in Singapore like?
We will break down different ways to get rid of your old mattress and help you choose the method that will work for you.
When Do You Dispose of Your Mattress?
Generally, a high-quality mattress lasts up to 10–15 years. But due to many conditions that affect its lifespan, its quality decreases and eventually loses its ability to provide you with proper comfort and sleep support. So, when do you need to replace your mattress?
A cheaper mattress will degrade faster than a high-end variety. Mattress material and structure affect the longevity of the mattress. Hygiene and care also influence its ability to resist wear and tear. Full-foam and cheaper innerspring mattresses are more prone to sagging than those made with higher quality materials, although they are higher in price. This is a good point to remember when choosing a mattress type to buy. Latex mattresses tend to be the best option when it comes to durability.
Mattress care, size, weight, and lifestyle will also determine how long your mattress will last. If you have kids who love to jump around your mattress or pets who leave their dander, you most likely need to replace your mattress earlier.
Signs that You Need to Replace Your Mattress
- Your mattress is sagging. Sagging happens when the foam or your mattress springs weaken or lose shape. Because of this, the support given by the mattress depreciates, resulting in discomfort and body pain during sleep. If you often wake up sore due to your saggy mattress, it's time to upgrade.
- Your mattress exhibits visible signs of wearing. Aside from sagging, other signs of wear include the presence of holes, ripping, too many stains, lumpiness, and more factors that cause discomfort.
- Your mattress produces a loud noise. Squeaky noises or metal sounds can be really disturbing during sleep. This happens when springs start to age and provide you with less support due to sagging.
- Your mattress gives you allergies. Bed bugs and dust mites accumulate as your mattress ages. Although many mattresses on sale present anti-dust mite and hypoallergenic properties, the effectiveness of the treatment may not last for years, resulting in allergic reactions.
- Your mattress is old. The most obvious reason to replace your mattress is its age. While gel or latex mattresses last up to 10–15 years, other varieties may have a shorter lifespan. Whether your sleeping situation changes or if you simply want to improve your sleep quality, it's important to choose comfort and invest in a reliable sleep solution.
How to Dispose of Your mattress
While it's easy to leave your preloved bed in a landfill, we want to encourage you to choose other ways that are more efficient. Below are environmentally friendly ways to get rid of your old mattress.
Donate Your Mattress
Is it possible to donate mattress in Singapore? Yes! Many homeowners opt to donate their mattresses to those who need them more. This is a good opportunity to reach out to others while freeing up some space for a new bed. However, mattresses that should be donated are those that are still safe and comfortable. Due to hygiene and safety reasons, very old mattresses that are saggy and no longer comfortable are not eligible for donation. Ultimately, mattresses that are being replaced due to size upgrades or changes in the owners' sleeping situation qualify for donation as long as the quality passes the standards.
Note: Before donating your mattress, make sure it is in good condition, has no infestations, and has been thoroughly cleaned. Vacuuming the mattress helps improve its quality before handing it to the next owner. However, if the mattress is not good for you, it won’t be beneficial for somebody else. If the quality of your mattress does not meet the donation standards, check out the other options.
Recycle Your Mattress
If a mattress is not eligible to be used as a mattress anymore, it's time to recycle it. But the question is, how to recycle a mattress? Several recycling centres accept mattresses as a whole. If you want a more convenient process, you can contact a recycling company and pay a service charge. We highly recommend checking the guidelines with the National Environmental Agency (NEA) or your local estate. You may also DIY your mattress by upcycling its parts, especially the foam, for other functions like gardening or home improvement projects.
Mattress Disposal Singapore: Avail a Mattress Disposal Service
Some online mattress shops, including Megafurniture, offer mattress disposal services as they deliver your new mattress. This might be the easiest, fastest, and safest way to get rid of your preloved mattress since bed disposal service providers already know where to land the old unit.
Mattress disposal will typically happen once your new mattress is delivered. So when preparing for your new mattress delivery, we suggest preparing for your old mattress' removal. The mattress removal fee depends on the size and weight of your mattress, so it's important to include it in your budget when buying a new mattress.
Things to Consider During Mattress Removal
When your mattress is at the end of its lifespan and you are ready to buy a new one, you will have to weigh your options based on what's best for the environment and your convenience. We recommend checking with local organisations about ways to safely get rid of an old mattress without contributing to too much environmental damage. Check the quality of your mattress if you plan to donate it to lessen the hassle for both you and the organisation or charity that you want to help.
What is the Condition of Your Mattress?
- Does it have holes or ripped parts?
- Is the mattress sagging?
- Does it spread a foul odour?
- Does it have bed bugs?
Remember that there are regulations for disposing of mattresses and other big items. As much as possible, we recommend connecting with recycling centres to help you make good use of your old mattress.
When working with a mattress disposal company, remember that the price range can vary depending on the size, weight, and location of your mattress.
Before you welcome your new sleep solution, it's imperative to think about the best way to dispose of your old mattress, such as by donating, recycling, upcycling, or connecting with a disposal service provider. By doing this, you will enjoy more space and appreciate your new mattress more without space constraints.
FAQs
How to dispose old bed frame?
To dispose an old bed frame, consider options like arranging a bulk pickup with local waste management, dropping it off at recycling centers, or donating it to charity. In Singapore, Megafurniture offers similar disposal services. Check our website and see our policies in bed frame disposal.
Can you throw away a mattress in a dumpster?
Whether you can dispose of a mattress in a dumpster depends on local regulations and dumpster provider policies. Check with your local waste management of the dumpster provider for specific guidelines. It's best to follow proper disposal procedure to ensure compliance and environmental responsibility.