How to Get Rid of an Old Couch: 7 Easy & Eco-Friendly Options

Best Ways to Get Rid of an Old Couch

One of the most convenient ways to get rid of an old sofa is to take advantage of couch disposal options in your area. Depending on the condition of your furniture, it might find a home with another family. Or, free bulk trash services might get rid of an old, worn-out couch for you. Here are the most common and easiest methods to get rid of your couch.

Donate It to a Local Charity

Knowing where to donate used furniture in your city is important when you're decluttering before a move. Just make sure your couch is in gently used condition and isn’t broken, dirty, or infested. Options to consider for donation centers include:

• Goodwill. Goodwill locations accept donated household goods, including furniture. Search for a Goodwill location near you if you can haul your old couch to the center yourself.
• Habitat for Humanity ReStores. Many ReStore locations pick up large items like furniture for free. You can often schedule a pickup online or by calling a local ReStore.
• The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army also offers free pickup in many locations for couches and other furniture.
• Regional or local thrift stores. Search for other thrift stores in your area and contact them about couch donations. Many stores take furniture, and they might support specific missions like local rescue squads or churches.
• Local rescue missions. City resources dedicated to helping people get back on track with life or into new homes may welcome furniture donations to assist in those efforts.

Sell It Online

You might convert your unwanted couch into some cash by selling it online. This is usually for couches that are still in good condition. Consider listing it on:

• Facebook marketplace
• Craigslist
• OfferUp

Vacuum and spot clean the couch before taking pictures in the best lighting possible. Then, list the sofa online with photographs and details about the size, condition, and features. Make it clear in your listing that someone must haul the sofa away themselves unless you plan on delivering it.

You should also follow good safety practices for selling items online. It may not be possible to meet someone in a neutral location for a couch exchange, but you can wait to invite people to your home to pick it up until you're in the process of — or done with — moving.

Research Curbside Pickup and Bulk Trash Services

Don't think your couch is in the right shape for donating or selling? Bulk trash pickup might be the best choice.

Many waste management services offer curbside pickup for old furniture removal periodically. Some municipalities handle bulk trash once a month, for example. Contact your waste management provider to find out when bulk trash pickup is and what you can leave at the curb, as some locations allow furniture and others don't.

Hire a Junk Removal Service

In locations where bulk trash isn't an option, or your waste management company is strict about what sits at the curb, paid junk removal can help. Consider this option if you have numerous bulky items to get rid of and no easy way to get them to a local dump yourself.

Junk removal for couches and other items typically costs money, but you can get quotes from several services in your area to find affordable options. Consider how those expenses might balance out savings associated with not moving that old furniture to a new home. You might also consider the peace of mind you'll get from not having to deal with the old sofa going forward.

Repurpose or Upcycle It

If you no longer want a couch to be your living room centerpiece, but want alternatives to sending it to the landfill, consider repurposing it by making it a feature in a kids' playroom or guest room.

You can also upcycle a sofa into several pieces. For example, you might:

• Recover cushions to create floor pillows for a family room
• Turn couch cushions into pet beds for fur babies or cushions for dog crates
• Cut your way through to the wood frame and convert it to a bench, or use the wood for other projects
• Use upholstered sofa backs as bed headboards

Things to Consider Before Disposing of Your Couch

Before parting ways with your old couch via furniture donation or other means, consider factors such as:

• Its condition. Be honest about the condition of the sofa, including cleanliness and structural integrity. Avoid donating or selling a couch in complete disrepair or one that might have pests in it.
• Environmental impacts. Many couches contain non-biodegradable materials that can release harmful chemicals as they decompose. Don't just dump an old couch in the woods nearby.
• Local regulations. Disposal rules for bulk items like furniture vary by location. Stay up-to-date with regulations in your area by visiting local government websites or contacting local waste management providers.