Do you have an old couch taking up space in your garage or basement? I know you’re probably thinking: “But it was expensive!” But if your couch looks beat up and worn out, it’s time to let it go.
Here are a few tips on removing that old couch to make room for something new.
Couches are too large to put in the trash, and most garbage trucks won’t take them. The first thing you should try is to put it out on the curb with a “Free to Take” sign.
If that doesn’t work after a day or two, try one of these other options.
Ways to Get Rid of Your Old Couch or Sofa
1. Sell It
Have a yard sale
This is a great way to dispose of an old couch if you have a yard. If you don’t, try to find a spot near your house or apartment complex. People will be more likely to take the couch if it’s close by and easy to carry away.
List it for sale in a Facebook yard sale group
If it is still in good shape, post it for sale on Facebook. Search “yard sale” or “garage sale” on Facebook and join any relevant groups. Then, post your couch for sale in the group’s comments section.
You can also post it on Facebook Marketplace if your area has no yard sales.
Sell it on consignment
You can also check your local consignment shops. Call around and see if they’ll buy your couch from you and sell it for you. They will charge you a small commission, but the couch will go to a new home, and you’ll have a few dollars in your pocket.
List it on eBay
Sell it through Craigslist or eBay. If your sofa is in good condition and has sentimental value, it might be worth listing on these sites. Someone might want to buy it. You can set it up for local pickup, so you won’t have to pay shipping charges.
List it on LetGo
The first step is to list your item on LetGo. You can do that from the app or letgo.com by clicking “Get Cash” and choosing “I have something to sell.” Follow the prompts to upload photos of your item, write a description, set a price, and add any other relevant information.
Once you submit your listing, you’ll receive an email letting you know it’s been added. You can then track its progress immediately!
2. Give it Away
Give it away to a friend or neighbor
If you have a friend or neighbor looking for furniture, they might be willing to take your old couch off your hands. If you’re lucky, you might get a few dollars for it.
You could also give your couch as a gift to someone moving into a new place or experiencing hardship.
Give it away on craigslist
Craigslist is a great way to find new homes for your old furniture — or anything else you don’t need anymore. There is a “free” section for local pickup.
If you’re giving your couch away, include a picture and a detailed description of its condition in the ad.
Include information about whether it’s still usable (and if not, why not). If possible, include photos of both sides of the couch so potential buyers know what they’re getting into—and maybe even make them more excited about taking it off your hands!
3. Donate It
Take it to a thrift store or furniture bank
If you don’t have any immediate plans for your old couch, consider donating it to a local charity.
Many organizations, including the Salvation Army, Goodwill Industries, and Habitat For Humanity ReStore, accept gently used furniture and make it available to their clients.
You can also check with local shelters or churches to see if they can use the furniture.
Goodwill accepts most large, bulky items. However, call before dropping off large items, as not all stores accept them due to limited space and resources.
The Salvation Army accepts most household items in good condition. However, there are some restrictions on what can be donated: sofas and mattresses (unless they’re stripped down), toys and stuffed animals, hazardous materials like paint cans or batteries, electronic equipment older than five years old (including TVs and radios), and cribs or car seats (unless they’re clean) are not accepted.
Habitat ReStore sells new and used building materials at affordable prices; proceeds go toward Habitat for Humanity.
Organizations that accept furniture donations:
- Goodwill
- Habitat for Humanity
- St. Vincent De Paul Society
- Furniture Bank Network
- The Salvation Army
- Catholic Charities
- The ARC
- AMVETS
4. Upcycle It
Find another purpose for it
If your couch needs a little TLC, you may be able to repurpose it into something new. Some ideas include:
Reupholster it. This option is excellent if your old couch has no significant structural damage or stains. A local upholsterer can remove the old fabric from the frame and replace it with a new one that suits your style better. You may even find a patterned material at a fabric store instead of buying an entire roll for your project!
Use the fabric for pillows or other accents in your home. You can often find scraps of leftover fabric at upholstery shops (or even ask if they’ll sell some), which makes these projects even easier! Don’t forget those throw pillows; if you’ve got enough material left over from reupholstering your couch, they will make great accents on their own or inside a pillow.
5. Haul It
Haul it to the dump
If you have a truck or other large vehicle, you may consider hauling it to the dump if other efforts have failed. Some municipalities will charge you for dropping off an old couch at landfill sites.
But if you live in an area without charges for disposing of furniture, this may be the easiest option for removing your old couch.
Rent a roll-off dumpster
Rather than paying for a single item to be hauled off, gather everything old, broken, and taking up space in your home or garage and get rid of it all at once. The most efficient way of doing this is to rent a dumpster.
A roll-off dumpster can be delivered to your home or business, filled with all the junk you want to go, and then taken away when you’re finished.
Hire a junk hauling service
Another option for removing an old couch is to hire a junk hauling service. These companies will come to your home and remove all unwanted items, including couches!
They’ll even load the items into their trucks, so you don’t have to lift a finger! These services offer flat rates much lower than hiring movers or renting a truck.
In Summary
When you finish reading this article, you will have a few different ways to dispose of that old couch.
The upcycling option may be the most time-consuming but also the greenest and most mindful choice.
If you have the time, try that route first and see how it works.
The charitable organization you donate your furniture to will probably appreciate your compassion.
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