# How to Get Rid of an Old, Disgusting Mattress and Boxspring? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 2, 2011, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175 "2011-08-02T14:01:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/21 "2011-08-02T18:27:09Z")
> [@redtail23](#): > > Alternatively, drive around town until you find an unlocked business dumpster and use that. I’m a business owner. A nosy neighbor spied someone putting things in my dumpster and got the guys license plate info. I filed a police report, and the cops caught the guy, who confessed. The cop asked if I would consider withdrawing my complaint. I said I would, if the guy emptied my dumpster, since I couldn’t distinguish his stuff from mine. With the cop watching, the guy took everything out of the dumpster and loaded into his car; trunk, back seat, passenger front seat. Don’t do this. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/22 "2011-08-02T18:30:37Z")
[Bagster](http://www.thebagster.com/Areas_Serviced.aspx). Check your ZIP code for service availability. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/23 "2011-08-02T18:41:22Z")
The guy down the street from me just put his old mattress (and some carpet) out at the curb a few months ago. Apparently he didn’t call for a special pickup, because the trash company ignored it. Now I guess he just thinks nature is going to reclaim it, and frankly it is, bit by bit. I’d complain to the county, but I’m perversely fascinated. ---
**Author:** ![Eva\_Luna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e495f1/32.png) [@Eva\_Luna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eva_Luna)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/24 "2011-08-02T18:46:58Z")
> [@Balthisar](#): > > Craigslist. Free mattresses. This worked for me, within hours. I had several offers. ---
**Author:** ![Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8797f3/32.png) [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Romeo_and_Whatsherface)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/25 "2011-08-02T19:15:26Z")
So the municipal landfill is out. I’m willing to bet your _county_ has a landfill. Why not call your county government offices and find out? ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/26 "2011-08-02T19:26:34Z")
Get an art foundation grant and some matching government government funds to have it installed as a found art exhibit. With any luck, you can parlez it into a travelling exhibit and never see it again, a la [Elmer McCurdy](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elmer_McCurdy). ---
**Author:** ![nivlac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3bc359/32.png) [@nivlac](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nivlac)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/27 "2011-08-02T19:29:09Z")
Can’t you just look for a local hauler to take the mattress away for a fee? Check the local paper, put up notices at the market, laundry, etc., or ask local businesses who they use to get rid of bulky crap. ---
**Author:** ![beartato](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9d8465/32.png) [@beartato](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beartato)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/28 "2011-08-02T19:31:29Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > I’ll look into the 1-800-JUNK option and see if they’ll cross state lines to help us out. Also, I’ll try the local mattress places but the first two I called said they if weren’t buying from them they weren’t going to take old mattresses. The mattress places may not take your old ones, but I think what **kunilou** was getting as it that they may be able to tell you what they do with ones that they do take. ---
**Author:** ![J-P\_L](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/j-p_l/32/3156_2.png) [@J-P\_L](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J-P_L)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/29 "2011-08-02T19:34:27Z")
If a store that sells mattresses won’t take it because you did not buy mattresses from them, at least, ask them what they do with the ones they do pick up, they might put you in touch with some company that recycles mattresses. You’ll most likely be expected to cover the cost. Beated to it by Beartato. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/30 "2011-08-02T19:45:50Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > The guy down the street from me just put his old mattress (and some carpet) out at the curb a few months ago. Apparently he didn’t call for a special pickup, because the trash company ignored it. Now I guess he just thinks nature is going to reclaim it, and frankly it is, bit by bit. I’d complain to the county, but I’m perversely fascinated. Take pictures and post a Web site: The Stinky Mattress Project. (Ref: [Stinky Meat Project](http://www.stinkymeat.net/)) ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/31 "2011-08-02T19:47:46Z")
> [@beartato](#): > > The mattress places may not take your old ones, but I think what **kunilou** was getting as it that they may be able to tell you what they do with ones that they do take. Yes, that is what I meant. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/32 "2011-08-02T19:53:24Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > Take pictures and post a Web site: The Stinky Mattress Project. > (Ref: [Stinky Meat Project](http://www.stinkymeat.net/)) I actually had that in mind. I would presumably need a stinkymate to volunteer to sleep on it one night. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/33 "2011-08-02T20:01:03Z")
I’ve had success putting my crap into a dumpster at an apartment complex I used to live at. Drive up just after dark like you own the place, dump em, drive away like you still own the place. Obviously it’s not risk-free. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/34 "2011-08-02T20:07:50Z")
Cutting up the mattress sounds like the most practical method. There’s really not much there except some foam padding and the fabric top. That’ll bag up easily. Cutting up the springs with metal snips would be the most tedious part. Buy a good wire cutter > **[Klein Tools D228-8 Pliers, Diagonal Cutting Pliers with Short Jaw and Beveled...](https://www.amazon.com/Diagonal-Leverage-Klein-Tools-D228-8/dp/B0000302VW)** > > Klein Tools D228-8 Pliers, Diagonal Cutting Pliers with Short Jaw and Beveled Knives, High-Leverage Color-Coded Wire Cutters, 8-Inch - Side Cutting Pliers - Amazon.com Hire a couple teenagers. Pay them $40 a mattress to cut it & bag it. You might even make a few $$$ taking the cut up wire to a recycler. Problem solved. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/35 "2011-08-02T20:39:06Z")
Commence toxic tort court actions against the tenants who slept on the mattresses and allegedly stinkified them, and file the said mattresses as evidence with the court. Then either move without filing a forwarding address, or drag things out until the tenants cave in and settle on the condition that they take possession of the mattresses, or just plain lose the case and pay the tenant’s court costs in mattresses rather than money. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/36 "2011-08-02T20:44:05Z")
If the Clintons could donate their [used underwear to charities](http://www.nytimes.com/1994/04/16/us/clinton-taxes-laid-bare-line-by-line.html) and claim tax deductions, you should at least be able to drop the mattresses off at the political party of your choice and claim a tax deduction. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/37 "2011-08-02T20:50:56Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > Rural area? > > Burn the mattress in your back yard. You can make more profit if you buy a and insure a flea-bag motel, put a stinky mattress in each room, rent out the rooms for first month plus damage deposit, burn the place to the ground, make an insurance claim to pay off the mortgage, and make your profit by blaming it on the tenant smokers and keeping their damage deposits. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/38 "2011-08-02T20:52:58Z")
Too bad you are not in Canada. At the moment, I keep putting things in the mail, but they do not get delivered (Canada Post is on the rebound from a strike). I suppose the best you could do would be to parcel post them to the address of someone whom you do not like, and for the return address, put down the address of another person whom you do not like. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/39 "2011-08-02T20:57:51Z")
You’re a pilot and you’d like to have some flight time comped, so how about dropping them from a plane on the first pass, and then on the second pass letting the parachutists who are paying your plane rental and fuel use them as soft landing targets. Then just fly off into the distance while your happy clients start to wonder how the hell they can dispose of stinky mattresses. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2011, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175/40 "2011-08-02T21:12:16Z")
Container garden. Just cut the tops out of each one, stack some bricks around it and fill with topsoil. Seriously, bagster is the bomb. You might need two bags, but $190.00 and done. If any are King sized you might need a chain saw. . . [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-rid-of-an-old-disgusting-mattress-and-boxspring/591175.md?page=3)