An old mattress is too large for most household bins, and the best way to deal with it depends on its condition and the services available where you live. If you are buying a new mattress, plan what will happen to the old one before delivery day so it does not get left in your bedroom or outside.
Here are the main options, including our collection and recycling service for customers buying a new mattress from Revival Beds.
Ask about collection with your new mattress
When you buy a new mattress from Revival Beds, you can ask us to collect and recycle your old one. This is an optional service with an additional charge. Let us know when you order, or contact us before delivery if you want to add it later. We can confirm the current fee and arrangements for your order; our mattress recycling page has more details.
Having collection arranged alongside delivery saves you from finding a separate way to move a large mattress. Tell us about access to the bedroom and the size of the mattress so that the collection can be planned with your delivery.
Reuse it if it is still suitable
If the mattress is clean, dry and in good condition, someone else may be able to use it. Ask a friend or family member, or check whether a local reuse organisation accepts mattresses. Acceptance rules vary, so confirm them before arranging transport. Do not offer a mattress with damage, persistent damp, contamination or signs of pests for reuse.
If you are unsure whether the mattress itself needs replacing, our guide to when you should change a mattress covers the signs to check.
Check your council’s options
Your local council may offer a bulky waste collection or accept mattresses at a household waste recycling centre. Check what it accepts, any booking requirements, charges and how the mattress should be prepared. Arrangements differ between councils, so use the GOV.UK local council finder to reach the right information for your address.
If you use a private clearance company instead, check that it is authorised to carry household waste. GOV.UK’s household waste guidance explains the checks to make.
Make a plan before your new mattress arrives
If a collection is booked, check whether the mattress needs to be accessible on the day and follow the collector’s preparation instructions. Do not leave it outdoors in the rain unless the collection service specifically instructs you to do so.
Still choosing a replacement? Our Mattress Buying Guide covers sizes, construction and the feel of different mattresses. Revival Beds makes mattresses to order, and you can book a showroom visit to compare the current range.
