The Right Way to Get Rid of an Old Sofa
As convenient as it is to buy couches online, there are still some benefits to regular retailers. First of all, visiting stores in person means you can try them before you make a purchase. And then there is the delivery situation.
Yes, your online purchases will be shipped to your home, but it’s up to you to get them inside and up (or down) any stairs and final destination, where you then assemble and sort them yourself. what to do with an old sofa. Although it’s not a given, some brick and mortar stores will not only ship you a new sofa, but they’ll also pick up your old one (if you so choose).
And while this may not seem like the biggest benefit, if you’ve ever had to get rid of a large piece of furniture and didn’t have a big car, then you know it can be a huge pain. Here are a few options if you ever find yourself in this situation.
How to get rid of an old sofa
To clarify, we are talking about situations where keeping a sofa in your house is not possible – for example, if you have nowhere to put it. Here are some of the ways you can get it:
Donate
Even if you don’t have a truck or van, you can still donate your old sofa. However, this may take some time because not all second-hand and resale organizations accept donations of furniture, and even if they do, they may not offer donation pick-up services. You may need to make a few calls, but this January Lifehacker post will get you through the process.
Sell or give away
Ask around if friends or family members would like a couch. If no one is interested, post an ad on Freecycle , Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or Nextdoor to let people know it’s for sale or that you’re giving it away. Be sure to indicate that they themselves will be responsible for removing it from your home and transporting it.
While it may be tempting to put a sofa on the curb with a “free” sign, check your city’s regulations before attempting to take it outside. In some places there are certain days when things can be distributed on the side of the road. Others are never okay.
Recycle it
There are also ways to recycle old sofas, but again, it’s best to contact your city’s sanitation department or your waste disposal company to find out how furniture is recycled in your area. Some communities have bulk recycling facilities or special reception days.
If the couch can no longer be used, another option is to take it apart and recycle the various parts. Once you’ve taken it apart, you can take the wood, fabric, foam core, and springs to a recycling facility or landfill .