Why Habitat ReStore & Most Charities Won’t Take Used Mattresses
Donating is the first thing most people try, and for mattresses it usually fails. Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna’s ReStore in Aberdeen lists beds, bed frames, headboards, footboards, mattresses and box springs as items it does not accept. Charities generally cannot resell used bedding because of hygiene and bed bug concerns, so even a clean mattress is a hard sell.
Other organizations set their own rules, and Goodwill policies can vary from one location to another. If you want to try, call first and ask about your specific item before you load it into the car. Our furniture donation guide covers what Harford County charities do take.
Curbside Bulk Rules by Town
Whether you can put a mattress out depends on where your address sits. Rules below were checked against each municipality’s published information on November 14, 2026.
| Where you live | What to do | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Town of Bel Air | Bulk waste is collected every other week by appointment only. Call Public Works at (410) 638-4545 at least 24 hours ahead. | The Town does not publish an item count. Ask whether a mattress and box spring count as one or two items. Many “Bel Air” mailing addresses are outside Town limits, so confirm yours. |
| City of Aberdeen | One free bulk pickup per fiscal year (July 1–June 30). Call (410) 297-4259 or email dpw@aberdeenmd.gov. | Do not set items out until the City confirms. A mattress and box spring set counts as one large item; extra pickups are $20 per large item (up to three per pickup). |
| Havre de Grace | The City’s Friday bulk service is a metal-item collection by reservation: 410-939-5009, 8 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday–Thursday. | Because it is a metal-item program, ask the City whether a mattress qualifies before you set one out. |
| Unincorporated Harford County (Fallston, Forest Hill, Abingdon, Jarrettsville and others) | The county licenses private trash haulers and does not run curbside collection. Ask your hauler if they take mattresses and what they charge. | HOA rules may also limit what can sit at the curb and for how long. |
Dropping a Mattress at the Harford Waste Disposal Center
County residents can bring a mattress and box spring to the Harford Waste Disposal Center (3241 Scarboro Road, Street). The county does not list a separate mattress fee; a load that includes a mattress is charged by vehicle type, which is $8 for a car or SUV and $11 for a pickup or trailer. A queen set rarely rides inside a car, so plan on a pickup, a trailer, or an SUV with the seats down, and strap it securely.
Remember the rules: open Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., arrive before 2:45, bring a Maryland license with a Harford address, and pay by cash or credit. Full details are in our Scarboro Landfill fees, hours and rules guide.
What Mattress Removal Costs with a Full-Service Crew
A crew costs more than the $8 or $11 dump fee, because you are buying the truck, the labor and the disposal in one price. What you get for it: we carry the mattress and box spring out from any floor, load it, and take it away, with nothing for you to lift, wrap or drive.
- One mattress or box spring: priced as a single-item pickup, which is the lowest tier.
- A bedroom set: mattress, box spring, frame, dresser and nightstands are priced by the space they take in the truck, which is usually cheaper than paying for each piece separately.
- Part of a larger cleanout: if you are also clearing a basement, garage or whole house, the mattress rides along in the same load.
See our Harford County junk removal pricing tiers for how truck space sets the price. If a mattress is wet, soiled or bed bug affected, tell us when you call so we can plan for it. Call 443-655-5106 for a free estimate; we can often quote from a photo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you put a mattress at the curb in Harford County?
Only if your town offers it. The Town of Bel Air collects bulk waste by appointment, and the City of Aberdeen provides one free bulk pickup per fiscal year. Harford County itself does not provide curbside bulk pickup, so residents in unincorporated areas must use their private trash hauler, haul the mattress to the county dump, or hire a junk removal company.
Does Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Aberdeen take mattresses?
No. The Aberdeen ReStore does not accept beds, bed frames, headboards, footboards, mattresses or box springs. It also rejects stained, torn, pet-marked or smelly items.
Does the Harford County dump take mattresses?
Yes. The Harford Waste Disposal Center accepts mattresses from county residents. There is no separate mattress fee; the load is charged by vehicle type, $8 for a car or SUV and $11 for a pickup truck or trailer.
How does Aberdeen's free bulk pickup work?
Each residential unit in the City of Aberdeen gets one free bulk pickup per fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Call (410) 297-4259 or email dpw@aberdeenmd.gov to schedule, and wait for confirmation before putting items out. Additional pickups cost $20 per large item.