Old mattresses are one of the most awkward things to get rid of. They’re bulky, they don’t fit in a trash cart, and most curbside services won’t take them without special arrangements. If you’re in Raleigh or Wake County, here are your four realistic options — with the local rules and rough costs for each.
The short version: if the mattress is clean and usable, try to donate it. If not, you’ll either haul it to a Wake County convenience center yourself, schedule your town’s bulk pickup, or have a junk removal service take it. A single mattress removed by a hauler in Raleigh typically runs about $89–$150.
Option 1: Your town’s curbside bulk pickup
Most towns in Wake County offer some form of bulk or large-item pickup, but the rules vary a lot by municipality — and mattresses are often treated as a special item. Towns like Wake Forest, Holly Springs, and Fuquay-Varina run scheduled bulk-collection programs; others direct you to a drop-off site instead.
Before you drag a mattress to the curb, check your specific town’s solid-waste page for:
- Whether mattresses are accepted (some programs exclude them)
- How to schedule a pickup and how far out the next date is
- Item limits and any per-item fees
- How to prep it (many towns require mattresses to be bagged)
Best when: you’re not in a hurry and your town accepts mattresses at the curb.
Option 2: Wake County convenience centers
Wake County runs multiple convenience centers where residents can drop off household waste, and several accept mattresses and box springs. A few things to know before you load up the truck:
- Residents may bring a limited number of mattresses/box springs per day (the county has capped this at two per day), and residency verification is required.
- Not every site takes mattresses — only a handful of locations accept them, so you can’t just go to the nearest center.
- If you have more than the daily limit, extra mattresses can go to the shredder at the South Wake Landfill for a processing fee.
Site lists, hours, and limits change — confirm the current accepting locations and rules on the official Wake County Convenience Centers page before you go.
Best when: you have a truck or SUV, don’t mind the drive, and want the cheapest disposal route.
Option 3: Donate it (if it’s still in good shape)
If your mattress is clean, structurally sound, and free of stains, tears, or odors, donating keeps it out of the landfill and helps someone out. Some charities accept gently used mattresses — but many won’t, because of state health regulations around used bedding, so always call ahead before you load it up.
- Ask about condition requirements (most require no stains and no damage)
- Ask whether they offer pickup or if you need to drop off
- Have a backup plan in case they decline it at inspection
Best when: the mattress is genuinely in good, resellable condition.
Option 4: Junk removal (we do the lifting)
If the mattress is worn out, you don’t have a way to haul it, or you just don’t want to deal with stairs and scheduling, a junk removal service is the easy button: someone shows up, carries it out, and disposes of it responsibly — donating or recycling where possible.
That’s what we do at Raleigh Junk Pros. You don’t have to guess the price, either — upload a photo and you’ll get an upfront quote before you book. A single mattress is usually one of our simplest jobs.
Best when: you want it gone today with zero heavy lifting.
Which option should you choose?
| Option | Effort | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Town bulk pickup | Medium (schedule + prep) | Free–low | Not in a rush |
| Convenience center | High (you haul it) | Free–low + fees | Cheapest, DIY |
| Donation | Medium (must qualify) | Free | Good-condition mattress |
| Junk removal | None | ~$89–$150 | Fast, no lifting |
How much does mattress removal cost in Raleigh?
For a hauler to pick up and dispose of a single mattress, expect roughly $89–$150, depending on access (stairs, walk distance), whether the box spring and frame go too, and how many other items you’re removing at the same time. Combining the mattress with other junk almost always lowers your cost per item, since most jobs are priced by volume rather than per piece. You can see how that works on our junk removal pricing page, or read our cost-per-item guide.
The fastest way to get an exact number is to upload a photo — you’ll have a price in minutes.