When should I replace my mattress?
Before we get to the nitty-gritty, let’s figure out if it’s time for you to get rid of your mattress. 👀
There are some misconceptions about when you should replace your mattress.
Dreams UK “Replace Every 8” slogan advises Brits to upgrade their mattress every 8 years.
At Bensons for Beds, the standard mattress warranty is 5 years only.
Other brands guarantee a mattress for 10 years.
So, how often should you replace your mattress? 🧐
Replace your mattress every 7 - 10 years
You should aim to replace your mattress every 7 - 10 years as a rule of thumb.
If you wake up with aches and pains, feel your partner moving around, or notice dipping - then it’s probably time for a replacement. 🤯
The National Bed Federation [1] created this video to show how much use is accumulated in a 7-year old mattress.
To summarise, a 7-year old mattress:
⏲️ Has roughly 20,000 hours of use
🛁 Absorbed 80 gallons of moisture (a bath full!)
💀 Accumulated half a stone of dead skin
Pretty gross, right?
So, even if your mattress still feels comfortable after 7 years, it will not be the most hygienic. 🤢
This is another reason we always stress the importance of using a mattress protector.
You can use mattress cleaners to get rid of stains and refresh the surface, but this may not be enough (especially if you haven't been using a protector).
If you think your mattress is due to be replaced, check out some of our favourites below - they can recycle your old mattress too!
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![Simba Hybrid Mattress]()
![Simba Hybrid Mattress]()
Simba![Simba]()
HybridPrice from £ 659The Simba Hybrid mattress is a high-quality pocket-sprung mattress with multiple layers of foam.The Simba Hybrid mattress is a high-quality pocket-sprung mattress with multiple layers of foam.Price from £ 659 -
![hypnia supreme memory mattress]()
![hypnia supreme memory mattress]()
Hypnia![Hypnia]()
Supreme Memory MattressPrice from £ 329.99 £ (900.99 )The Hypnia Supreme Memory Mattress is a softer mattress with three foam layers.The Hypnia Supreme Memory Mattress is a softer mattress with three foam layers.Price from £ 329.99 (£ 900.99 ) -
![DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress]()
![DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress]()
DreamCloud![DreamCloud]()
Luxury HybridPrice from £ 409 £ (949 )The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress is a 5-layered premium mattress.The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress is a 5-layered premium mattress.Price from £ 409 (£ 949 ) -
![Nectar Premier Hybrid]()
![Nectar Premier Hybrid]()
Nectar![Nectar]()
Premier HybridPrice from £ 775The Nectar Premier Hybrid combines pocket springs, micro springs, and memory foam.The Nectar Premier Hybrid combines pocket springs, micro springs, and memory foam.Price from £ 775
What to do with an unwanted mattress
Maybe it’s time to upgrade your old mattress with a shiny new one. ✨
But now we have another dilemma…
What do you do with the old mattress? 🤔
Consider these options:
- Take the mattress to a recycling centre
- Donate the mattress to charity
- Hire a mattress removal service
- Contact your local council
- Buy a new mattress that comes with a disposal service
We’ll go into more detail about these different options further down. 👇
1. Take the mattress to a recycling centre
Most mattresses are made with recyclable materials. ♻️
And yet, in 2017 [2], just 19% of mattress disposals were recycled, with the remaining 81% ending up in landfills.
Unfortunately, recycling your mattress is not as straightforward as leaving it outside with the rest of your recycling bins. 🗑️
The following materials are typically recyclable:
- Metal springs (found in pocket sprung and coil sprung mattresses)
- Foam padding (memory foam, latex foam, etc.)
- Natural fibres (cotton, wool, etc.)
- Outer fabric
However, whether or not you can recycle your mattress depends on the particular mattress and individual recycling centre. 👀
Where is a mattress recycling centre near me?
There are recycling facilities all over the UK, and you’ll likely find a mattress recycling service within driving distance, but you’ll have to transport the mattress yourself. 🚗💨
Check here [3] to enter your postcode and find your nearby recycling centre details.
You’ll also be able to find out with there is a mattress recycling pickup option available. 🧐
What happens to recycled mattress materials?
It’s all well and good knowing the materials are recycled.
But how does the recycling journey end? 👇
| Mattress material | How it is recycled | What it is recycled into |
| Metal springs | Melted down in metal recycling plants | Construction material |
| Foam padding | Extracted and cleaned for reuse | Furniture stuffing, pillows, and carpet underlay |
| Natural fibres (i.e. wool, cotton) | Washed and spun into new fibres | Insulation, new yarn, other recycled textiles |
| Outer fabric | Stripped from mattress and shredded down | Low-grade fabric, refuse-derived fuel (renewable energy) |
Springs and foam are moderately easy to recycle, with the fabric cover being the most difficult due to the contamination complications.
2. Donate the mattress to charity
If your mattress is reasonably good, you might consider donating it to charity. ❤️
A clean mattress with a few years left could be an excellent option for those who can’t afford a brand new mattress.
You don't need to take the mattress to the charity shop.
In fact, the charity usually offers a free mattress collection service, saving you the inconvenience of transporting it yourself. 😅
REM-Fit goes one step further. They donate their returned mattresses to the British Heart Foundation, and all profits are kept by the charity.
The following charities accept mattress donations:
- British Heart Foundation mattress collection UK [4]
- British Red Cross mattress collection UK [5]
- The Salvation Army mattress collection UK [6]
You should contact your chosen charity to discuss the details of the mattress donation.
3. Hire a mattress removal service
Getting rid of your mattress yourself can be a hassle, especially if you don't have the means to transport it. 🙁
Luckily, there are removal companies that can collect your bed [7] for a fee.
A removal service makes life a lot easier as they will take the mattress straight from your room.
We encourage you to use a legitimate mattress collection service that recycles your mattress instead of sending it to landfills.
If you don’t have a car or cannot transport the mattress yourself, then a mattress collection service is a great idea. 🙌
4. Contact your local council
If you haven’t got the amenities to drop your mattress off at a recycling centre, or it’s in too poor a condition to donate, consider arranging a council collection. 🚚
You can apply for a special collection of bulky items via gov.uk [8].
The price for these bulky waste collections depends on your area and your local council rates.
There is typically a minimum fee plus an additional charge dependant on the item.
You should compare the prices with other mattress removal services and see what’s the cheapest. 💰
5. Buy a new mattress that comes with a disposal service
Some mattress retailers and brands offer a disposal or recycling service with the purchase of your new mattress. 😍
There is usually a charge, but this is often cheaper than the local council or removal companies.
Often the price depends on the mattress size, with single mattresses being the cheapest for disposal and super kings the most expensive.
Some retailers can even recycle your old divan base and headboard too. 😱
Additionally, the mattress recycling service is a much more eco-friendly option.
You reduce your carbon footprint as the same van that delivers the new mattress will collect your old one in a simple swap. 👍
The mattress is then often fully recycled at a mattress recycling centre. ♻️
Check out these fantastic mattresses that come with a removal service:
-
![DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress]()
![DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress]()
DreamCloud![DreamCloud]()
Luxury HybridPrice from £ 409 £ (949 )The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress is a 5-layered premium mattress.The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress is a 5-layered premium mattress.Price from £ 409 (£ 949 ) -
![Simba Hybrid Mattress]()
![Simba Hybrid Mattress]()
Simba![Simba]()
HybridPrice from £ 659The Simba Hybrid mattress is a high-quality pocket-sprung mattress with multiple layers of foam.The Simba Hybrid mattress is a high-quality pocket-sprung mattress with multiple layers of foam.Price from £ 659 -
![Nectar Premier Hybrid]()
![Nectar Premier Hybrid]()
Nectar![Nectar]()
Premier HybridPrice from £ 775The Nectar Premier Hybrid combines pocket springs, micro springs, and memory foam.The Nectar Premier Hybrid combines pocket springs, micro springs, and memory foam.Price from £ 775
How to prepare my mattress for disposal
If your mattress is being collected by a charity, removal service, or retailer offering mattress removals, you’ll want to prepare it for disposal.
Typically, this involves:
- Fully undressing the bed and removing any pillows.
- Creating a safe entryway for the removal men (i.e. removing any fragile items and pictures from the walls.)
- Sometimes you’ll be asked to pop the mattress in a disposal bag.
- Other companies will require you to take the mattress from the room and leave it on the doorstep.
The individual requirements will depend on the conditions of the company removing your mattress.
You should check the relevant website in advance, so you have time to prepare. 💻
Can you cut up a mattress for disposal?
A mattress isn’t exactly a small item - and you may be considering cutting it up to transport it for disposal more easily. 🤔
If you have pre-arranged a removal service to collect your mattress, you should leave the mattress in one piece.
If you’re disposing of your mattress yourself and need to transport it more efficiently, or you want to reclaim or recycle the materials, then you can cut it up.
Before you start, ensure the following:
- You use safety glasses and cut-resistant work gloves when cutting the mattress. 🥽🧤
- You have the necessary tools (i.e. box cutter, pliers, etc.) ✂️
- You have a safe outside area to work in. 🏕️
- You have previous DIY knowledge or experience with tools. 👩🔧
We also recommend having someone nearby to assist and watch out for your safety.
The below video shows how you can safely cut up your mattress for disposal:
As you can see, you should cut up the mattress layer by layer, starting with the cords, removing the outer fabric, and then each of the individual layers.
What is a mattress disposal bag?
To put it simply, a mattress disposal bag is a bag in which to dispose of your mattress. 🧳
They can come in specific mattress sizes or as a one-size-fits-all.
Some retailers, such as Bensons for Beds, will give you a mattress disposal bag when you buy their mattress recycling option.
If you are donating your mattress, some charities may ask you to pop your mattress in a bag to protect it during transport.
🚚
Mattress disposal bags are sometimes referred to as mattress disposal covers or collection mattress protectors.
Where to buy a mattress disposal bag
If you need a mattress disposal bag in preparation for disposing of your mattress, you can typically only find them online. 💻
Amazon is a great place to find a cheap but efficient mattress disposal bag.
How to use a mattress disposal bag
If your mattress is being collected for disposal or donation, you should pop the mattress in the disposal bag before the driver arrives. 😅
Some retailers request the mattress is bagged before the driver arrives for hygiene reasons.
This is more important now more than ever since the coronavirus pandemic to ensure the best safety precautions are taken. ✔️
Follow these steps:
- Open up the bag and tuck it under each bottom corner of the mattress.
- Next, pull the bag around the side of the mattress as much as you can.
- When the bag is about halfway on, stand the mattress up and pull the rest of the bag up around the mattress.
- Secure the bag by taping up the opening with duct tape.
A mattress disposal bag is also a great way to transport your mattress!
If you’re moving or giving your mattress to a family or friend, consider buying a mattress disposal bag.
This will help keep the mattress protected during transportation and make it easier to move as you can slide it up and down the stairs. 🤗
-
![Amazon TopSoon Mattress Bag Cover]()
![Amazon TopSoon Mattress Bag Cover]()
Amazon![Amazon]()
TopSoon Mattress Bag CoverPrice from £ 8.99 £ (9.25 )The TopSoon Mattress Disposal bag is fully waterproof and dust-mite resistant.The TopSoon Mattress Disposal bag is fully waterproof and dust-mite resistant.Price from £ 8.99 (£ 9.25 )
How not to dispose of your old mattress
You should follow any of the above recommendations for getting rid of your old mattress. 👍
These are the safest and most convenient ways of getting rid of your old mattress.
But how should you NOT get rid of your old mattress? 👇
Fly-tipping
Fly-tipping [9] is defined as depositing waste illegally.
This includes leaving your mattress on the curbside, road, or other unauthorised areas. 😮
This makes the area look unsightly, but it can also be hazardous to the public and harmful to the environment.
Between 2018 - 2019, over 1 million [10] instances of fly-tipping were reported in the UK.
If you are caught fly-tipping, you can receive a fine of up to £50,000 from local authorities and a 5-year prison sentence. 👮
Burn your old mattress
It may seem obvious, but you should never burn your mattress as a way of disposing of it. 🔥
It’s illegal to burn material that has been treated with chemicals and can create harmful fumes which are dangerous for the environment.
Burning mattresses are regarded as the same or similar offence as fly-tipping and can include hefty fines of up to £50,000. 😱
Sell a second-hand mattress as new
Although it’s technically not illegal to sell a used mattress, we discourage you from selling a mattress over 7 years old. 🤢
A well-used mattress will be unhygienic and not offer the same support as a new mattress.
If you are thinking about selling your mattress, you must also be transparent about how long it has been used and any stains or other damage it includes.
You can sell a used mattress online, but it’s better to look into selling locally to family, friends, or local pages first to avoid hefty shipping charges. 💰
The final steps
So we’ve covered all the dos and don’ts of how to dispose of a mattress. 🙌
If you’ve decided how to get rid of your old mattress and now you need a new one, check out some of our best mattress reviews.
Our favourites include:
These mattresses also include a mattress disposal service that you can add to the basket before you checkout. 👇
-
![DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress]()
![DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress]()
DreamCloud![DreamCloud]()
Luxury HybridPrice from £ 409 £ (949 )The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress is a 5-layered premium mattress.The DreamCloud Luxury Hybrid mattress is a 5-layered premium mattress.Price from £ 409 (£ 949 ) -
![Nectar Premier Hybrid]()
![Nectar Premier Hybrid]()
Nectar![Nectar]()
Premier HybridPrice from £ 775The Nectar Premier Hybrid combines pocket springs, micro springs, and memory foam.The Nectar Premier Hybrid combines pocket springs, micro springs, and memory foam.Price from £ 775 -
![Simba Hybrid Mattress]()
![Simba Hybrid Mattress]()
Simba![Simba]()
HybridPrice from £ 659The Simba Hybrid mattress is a high-quality pocket-sprung mattress with multiple layers of foam.The Simba Hybrid mattress is a high-quality pocket-sprung mattress with multiple layers of foam.Price from £ 659
Table of Contents
When should I replace my mattress?
What to do with an unwanted mattress
1. Take the mattress to a recycling centre
2. Donate the mattress to charity
3. Hire a mattress removal service
5. Buy a new mattress that comes with a disposal service
How to prepare my mattress for disposal
What is a mattress disposal bag?
Frequently asked questions
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Can you put a mattress in a skip?
Most skip companies prohibit the disposal of mattresses in a skip, whilst others allow it for a small fee.
You should check the skip company before dumping your mattress in it.
You should never dump your mattress in somebody else’s skip without their knowledge.
This is known as fly-tipping, and you can face a fine of up to £50,000, including prison time.
-
Can you take an old mattress to the tip?
Taking your mattress to the local tip is one of the quickest ways to get rid of your old mattress.
Whilst most tips take mattresses, you should call ahead of time and make sure they accept old mattresses.
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Is there a mattress disposal service near me?
Most UK areas will have a mattress disposal service.
This includes:
- Mattress disposal Birmingham
- Mattress disposal Bristol
- Mattress disposal Leeds
- Mattress disposal Brighton
- Mattress disposal Edingburgh
- Mattress disposal Nottingham
- Mattress disposal Richmond
- Mattress disposal Bromley
You should check your local area to see if there is a disposal or recycling service near you.
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How can I get rid of my old mattress for free?
If you're looking to freecycle your mattress - you should consider donating it.
If your mattress is in good condition, many charities will collect your old bed for free.
You should contact charities in your area to see if they accept used mattresses.
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References
- 1 Home - The National Bed Federation
- 2 Number of mattresses recycled up 55 per cent | Resource Magazine
- 3 Recycling collections - GOV.UK
- 4 Welcome to British Heart Foundation - BHF
- 5 The British Red Cross | Worldwide Humanitarian Charity
- 6 The Salvation Army Thrift Stores | Home
- 7 Mattress Recycling and Disposal from £24 - Collect Your Old Bed
- 8 Apply for special collection of large waste items - GOV.UK
- 9 Fly-tipping & the law | Keep Britain Tidy
- 10 What is Fly Tipping? - Hinton's Waste
Alternatively, message us directly via the Contact Us page.