Does Salvation Army Take Mattresses?

If I had a dollar for every person who scheduled a Salvation Army donation pickup, watched the truck pull up to their house, and then watched the driver refuse to take their mattress — I could retire.

This happens all the time. Someone calls Salvation Army, schedules a furniture pickup, includes the mattress on the list, and assumes everything is set. Then the truck arrives, the driver takes one look at the mattress, and says no. Now you've got a mattress in your driveway and no plan.

The Salvation Army mattress situation is more complicated than Goodwill's flat "no." But that complexity doesn't work in your favor. It just means more confusion and more wasted time.

Let me explain what's actually going on.

Salvation Army's Official Mattress Policy

Unlike Goodwill, which has a universal no-mattress policy, Salvation Army's policy varies by location. Their official guidance is frustratingly vague:

"These vary from location to location, so please visit The Salvation Army Donation Center in your area for their policies."

Translation: You need to call your local store and ask. And even then, what they tell you on the phone may not match what happens when the truck shows up.

• Mattress must be in "excellent" or "like new" condition
• No stains of any kind
• No rips, tears, or sagging
• No odors
• Original tags still attached (many locations)
• No signs of bed bugs or pests

The Pickup Problem

Here's where the Salvation Army experience gets really frustrating.

You can schedule a donation pickup online or by calling 1-800-SA-TRUCK. The form asks what items you're donating. You list your mattress along with other furniture. Someone confirms your pickup date.

Then the truck arrives.

The driver looks at your mattress. Maybe there's a small stain you didn't notice. Maybe it's slightly compressed from years of use. Maybe it doesn't have the original tags. Or maybe the driver just doesn't think it meets their standards.

I hear this story constantly from customers who call my company after the Salvation Army route didn't work out.

Why Most Mattresses Get Rejected

My company has picked up over 1.15 million mattresses. I can tell you with confidence: people dramatically overestimate the condition of their mattresses.

"It's in great condition" usually means "I've been sleeping on it fine." But that's not the same as being sellable to a stranger.

Here's what actually happens to a mattress over time:

• Body impressions form (even if you rotate it regularly)
• Sweat and body oils soak into the foam and fabric
• Dust mites accumulate (millions of them)
• Small stains appear that you don't notice against your sheets
• The support structure gradually breaks down

After 7-10 years of use, even a well-maintained mattress shows its age. It might feel fine to you because the changes happened gradually. But to someone evaluating whether they can sell it — or to a Salvation Army driver making a split-second decision — it looks used.

Less than 5% of the mattresses my company picks up would meet donation standards. And even that 5% — the ones that genuinely are in excellent condition — often get rejected simply because donation centers don't want the hassle and liability of dealing with mattresses.

The Real Reason Charities Are Wary of Mattresses

Bed bugs.

One infested mattress can contaminate an entire warehouse of donated furniture. Bed bugs spread easily, they're hard to detect visually, and they can survive for up to a year without feeding.

For a charity that handles thousands of donated items, the risk of accepting mattresses is enormous. One bad donation could cost them tens of thousands of dollars in pest control and lost inventory — far more than they'd ever make selling mattresses in their thrift store.

Add in the liability concerns (what if someone buys a donated mattress and claims they got bed bugs from it?) and the expensive sanitization requirements in many states, and you can understand why even charities that technically accept mattresses are extremely picky about which ones they take.

What "Call Your Local Store" Actually Means

When Salvation Army says "policies vary by location," they're not being helpful — they're being accurate in a way that creates confusion.

Here's what actually varies:

• Whether they accept mattresses at all
• What condition requirements they have
• Whether they offer pickup for mattresses
• Whether pickup is free or has a fee
• What sizes they'll accept
• Whether they need the original tags

You could call five different Salvation Army locations and get five different answers. One might say yes, they accept mattresses. Another might say only king and queen sizes. Another might say only with tags. Another might say they stopped accepting mattresses six months ago.

This inconsistency isn't malicious — it's just how a large organization with independent local branches operates. But for you, it means phone calls, uncertainty, and no guarantee that what you're told will match what happens.

The California and EPR State Exception

If you live in California, Connecticut, Rhode Island, or Oregon, you have a much better option than trying to navigate Salvation Army's policies.

These states have Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws that fund free mattress recycling. Through the Bye Bye Mattress program, residents can drop off mattresses at designated locations for free.

California has over 240 drop-off sites. Connecticut has 157 participating municipalities. These programs exist specifically because mattress disposal is so difficult — and they work.

What To Do When Salvation Army Says No

So you tried Salvation Army and it didn't work out. I've written a full guide on how to get rid of a mattress with 7 nationwide options. Here they are:

1. Mattress Recycling Pickup Service — Professional recycling pickup available nationwide.
2. Municipal Bulk Pickup Service — Many cities offer bulk pickup that includes mattresses. Check with your local waste management.
3. Drop Off at Landfill or Recycling Facility — If you have a truck, you can haul it yourself. In EPR states (CA, CT, RI, OR), use Bye Bye Mattress for free recycling drop-off.
4. DIY Mattress Breakdown — Disassemble it yourself and recycle the components (steel to scrap, wood to yard waste, etc.).
5. Sell or Give Away — Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Nextdoor if it's in genuinely good condition.
6. Junk Removal Companies — 1-800-GOT-JUNK, Junk King, LoadUp, etc. Convenient but pricier ($75-$200).
7. Donation — Local charities or furniture banks may accept mattresses in excellent condition, but most have strict requirements.

Preparing for a Donation Attempt

If you still want to try the Salvation Army route despite everything I've said, here's how to give yourself the best chance:

Before you call:

1. Inspect your mattress thoroughly in bright light
2. Check for any stains, even small ones
3. Look for rips, tears, or loose threads
4. Check if the original tags are still attached
5. Smell the mattress — any odors will disqualify it
6. Look for signs of sagging or body impressions

When you call:

1. Ask specifically: "Do you accept mattresses?"
2. Ask about condition requirements
3. Ask if tags need to be attached
4. Ask if they offer pickup for mattresses specifically
5. Ask if there's a fee

Before pickup:

1. Take photos of the mattress condition
2. Have a backup plan ready
3. Don't be surprised if the driver says no

The Bottom Line

Salvation Army's mattress policy is technically more open than Goodwill's, but that doesn't mean your mattress will actually be accepted.

The requirements are strict. The inspection process is subjective. The policies vary by location. And the experience of scheduling a pickup only to have your mattress rejected at your doorstep is incredibly common.

I'm not trying to discourage you from donating. If your mattress is genuinely in like-new condition — no stains, no wear, tags attached — and you're willing to make phone calls and potentially get rejected, it's worth a try.

But if you're like most people with a normal, used mattress that's been slept on for years, the donation route is probably going to be a frustrating dead end.

Save yourself the time. Look into recycling or disposal options first.