A public resource guide
DC Department of Public Works (DPW) offers free bulk collection for residential addresses. Mattresses are eligible. This guide covers every disposal option for District residents.
Last updated: May 2026 · Maintained by Freemoval as a public resource
This is a public resource guide for Washington residents. Below: the free city options, donation programs, state recycling law, and paid options when free won’t work for your situation.
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The fastest free path for most residents is the City’s own bulk collection program.
DC Department of Public Works (DPW) bulk collection
FreeEligibility: DC residential addresses with City service (single-family and most rowhouses).
How to schedule: Schedule online at dpw.dc.gov or call 311. Allow 7–10 days for scheduling.
Set-out: Items at curb the night before your scheduled pickup. Do not block sidewalk or alley access.
Cost: Free for DPW-serviced residential addresses.
Apartment buildings and condos: Larger residential buildings in DC typically use private waste haulers. Contact your building management for the property's bulky item process.
DC Transfer Station: DC residents can also self-haul mattresses to the Fort Totten Transfer Station with proof of residency. Useful for items between scheduled pickups.
Diplomatic and federal employees: Federal housing and diplomatic residences have separate waste arrangements. Contact your housing office for the property's mattress disposal process.
For complete Washington bulk waste rules beyond mattresses, see our Washington junk removal guide.
If your mattress is still in good condition — no significant stains, no bedbug history, less than ~7 years old — donation is the best path. Most programs offer free pickup.
Washington donation programs
Free for usable itemsHabitat for Humanity DC ReStore: Free pickup for furniture, appliances, and building materials.
Salvation Army National Capital Area: 1-800-SA-TRUCK or satruck.org.
Goodwill of Greater Washington: Multiple DC drop-off locations.
A Wider Circle, So Others Might Eat (SOME), N Street Village: Local nonprofits accepting usable bedding for transitional housing.
What donation programs typically accept: Clean mattresses without significant tears or stains, no bedbug history, less than ~7 years old. Box springs are usually accepted with the same condition standards. Bed frames in working condition with all hardware.
What’s typically NOT accepted: Mattresses with bedbug history or visible insect activity, significant stains, mold, structural damage, or significantly worn condition. Always call ahead to confirm the program’s current standards.
The District of Columbia does NOT have a statewide mattress recycling program. Mattresses collected curbside are typically landfilled. Some private mattress recyclers operate in the DC-Maryland-Virginia region.
Free options work for most Washington residents, but some situations need paid pickup: you’re moving out and can’t wait for the next scheduled bulk week; your apartment building doesn’t have free bulk service; you need in-home loading (mattress comes out of the bedroom, not the curb); or you’re disposing of multiple items at once and want it handled in a single trip.
LoadUp paid mattress pickup
$85+LoadUp connects you with independent loaders in Washington for upfront-priced mattress, box spring, and bed frame pickup. In-home loading included — you don’t carry the mattress to the curb.
What’s included: Loading from inside the home, hauling, and licensed disposal. No prep required beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $85+ for a single mattress. Box spring + mattress + bed frame as a bundle is typically less than the sum of individual prices.
Other paid services: 1-800-Got-Junk, College Hunks Hauling Junk, Junk King DC, and local DMV haulers serve the area.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. 100% of round-ups fund subsidized pickups at standard market rates.
Book a Washington mattress pickup with LoadUp → Round-up option at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Box springs: Almost always handled the same as mattresses by city bulk programs and donation organizations. The state recycling laws above generally cover both mattresses AND box springs. Wrap requirements (where they exist) apply to box springs too.
Bed frames: Treated as regular bulky furniture, not mattresses. Most curbside bulky programs accept bed frames separately. Wood frames go to landfill or wood recycling. Metal frames are recyclable as scrap metal — if you have access to a scrap yard, they may pay you for the metal. Donation programs accept working bed frames with all hardware.
Headboards and footboards: Same as bed frames — bulky furniture, not mattresses. Donate if usable; place with bulky pickup if not.
Adjustable bed bases (motorized): Usually NOT accepted in standard mattress recycling because of the electronics and mechanics. Check if your retailer offers haul-away with new purchase. Otherwise, paid pickup is typical.
Is mattress removal really free in Washington?
Yes, the city offers free curbside or scheduled bulk pickup for mattresses, box springs, and bed frames through DC Department of Public Works (DPW) bulk collection. DC residential addresses with City service (single-family and most rowhouses). Free options work for most residents. Paid pickup is only needed in specific situations like apartment buildings without free bulk service, mid-move scheduling that can't wait, or in-home loading requirements.
How do I schedule a free mattress pickup in Washington?
Schedule online at https://dpw.dc.gov (dpw.dc.gov) or call 311. Allow 7–10 days for scheduling.
Do mattresses have to be wrapped in plastic before pickup?
Washington does not require mattresses to be wrapped in plastic before curbside pickup. However, wrapping is still a best practice for bedbug prevention. Plastic mattress bags are inexpensive (around $5-15) and protect sanitation workers and other residents. If your mattress has any history of bedbugs, wrap it AND mark it clearly with 'BEDBUGS' in large letters.
Can I donate a used mattress instead of throwing it away?
Yes, if the mattress is in good condition. Washington-area programs that accept usable mattress donations include Habitat for Humanity DC ReStore, Salvation Army National Capital Area, Goodwill of Greater Washington, among others listed above. They typically require no significant stains, no bedbug history, and less than ~7 years old. Call ahead to confirm the program's current standards before scheduling pickup. Donation is the most sustainable path for mattresses still in usable condition.
Does DC have a free mattress recycling program?
The District of Columbia does NOT have a statewide mattress recycling program. Mattresses collected curbside are typically landfilled. Some private mattress recyclers operate in the DC-Maryland-Virginia region.
What about box springs and bed frames?
Box springs are handled the same as mattresses by Washington bulk programs and most donation organizations. The same set-out rules and wrap requirements (if any) apply to both. Bed frames are treated as regular bulky furniture rather than mattresses -- they're usually accepted in bulky pickup but may be in a separate disposal stream from the mattress itself. Metal bed frames can be recycled as scrap metal, sometimes for a small payment at scrap yards. Adjustable bed bases (motorized) are usually NOT accepted in standard mattress disposal -- they need retailer haul-away or paid pickup.
My building uses a private hauler. Can I still use city pickup?
Probably not for the building itself. Most apartment buildings and condos in Washington with 5+ units use private waste haulers under contract. The free city bulk program is for single-family and small multifamily addresses with direct City service. Contact your property manager for the building's mattress disposal process -- most properties have either an on-site bulky disposal arrangement or a coordinated pickup with the building's hauler. You may also be able to use a paid junk removal service that picks up directly from your unit.
Is this page maintained?
Yes. Last updated May 2026. If you find outdated information, please contact us.