Buzz
Photo: Westend61/Getty ImagesPurchasing a new sofa is thrilling, but dealing with the old one can be a hassle. Due to their size and weight, moving a couch out of your home can be a daunting task. Additionally, local waste disposal rules might prevent you from simply leaving it on the curb.
When deciding how to handle your old couch, think about whether it’s still in good condition. This could lead you to explore recycling options or donating it, rather than contributing to landfill waste.
Planning ahead is essential, as some sofa removal methods require advance scheduling or finding a suitable recipient for your couch, which might take time. (You certainly don’t want your old couch cluttering your living room alongside the new one while you figure out disposal options.)
Below are some of the simplest and most hassle-free ways to dispose of your old couch, allowing you to transition smoothly to your new one.
Let your friends know you're getting rid of a couch
You might discover that a friend’s acquaintance—or even their son—could benefit from your used sofa for their first apartment or a children’s play area.
Look into secondhand furniture stores or local online marketplaces
Post it on a Buy Nothing group
If your couch is still in decent condition, try listing it on a local Freecycle or Buy Nothing group. This not only allows you to give your sofa away for free to someone in need (and keep it out of the landfill) but often, the person picking it up can assist with moving it, saving you the effort of heavy lifting.
Donate it to charity
Many charities are happy to accept—and sometimes even collect—donated couches. Organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Furniture Bank, Goodwill, and Salvation Army frequently take gently used furniture. You can also reach out to local women’s shelters or refugee support groups to see if they could use your old couch.
Some charities offer scheduled pickups for furniture donations, while others may require you to drop off the couch yourself. Check with your local branch to understand their specific policies on furniture donations.
See if your furniture store will take your couch away
While it’s unlikely, as most furniture stores don’t offer removal services for old sofas, it’s always worth inquiring.
The exception to this is IKEA, which provides a one-for-one removal and delivery service. They’ll take your old couch or bed when delivering your new one, and they’ll even recycle the old furniture for you.
Put it out on bulk garbage day
Before your new sofa arrives, check with your local sanitation department to understand bulk garbage rules. Some areas allow old couches to be disposed of on bulk garbage day, while others may require scheduling a pickup or paying a fee for removal.
If you’re placing your sofa out for bulk garbage collection, try putting it out a few hours early. A neighbor might pick it up to refurbish or repurpose it.
Another option is to take your sofa directly to a waste management facility, which might help you avoid disposal fees.
Hire a junk removal service
If your local sanitation department doesn’t accept your couch, a junk removal service can handle it for a fee. They can remove your old couch quickly and often donate usable items to local charities.
