Salvation Army: Do We Accept Mattress Donations?

Did you know the Salvation Army helps fund Adult Rehabilitation Centers with donation proceeds? These centers help people with drug and alcohol addiction¹. But, when it comes to mattress donations, the Salvation Army’s rules can change by location. We’ll look into their mattress donation policies, why they have them, and where else you can donate or dispose of unwanted items.

Key Takeaways

• The Salvation Army is a global non-profit organization that accepts mattress donations².
• Salvation Army thrift stores do not accept certain items, such as appliances with mechanical issues, gas appliances, and televisions older than 5 years¹.
• The Salvation Army provides a wide range of services, including adult alcohol and drug addiction rehab centers, veterans services, and assistance for survivors of domestic abuse¹.
• Ensure your mattress is clean, odor-free, and in good condition before donating to the Salvation Army or other charities².
• Explore alternative options for donating or disposing of items not accepted by the Salvation Army, such as local charities or online platforms².

Understanding the Salvation Army’s Donation Guidelines

The Salvation Army is known for helping those in need. It’s key to know what they accept to help the most. They take many items but have some rules for safety and practical reasons.

Items the Salvation Army Accepts

The Salvation Army welcomes gently used clothes, furniture, and more. Clothing with small stains or tears is okay.³ They also accept working electronics like lamps and computers⁴.

Items the Salvation Army Does Not Accept

Some items are not accepted for safety or practical reasons. These include:

• Mattresses and box springs³
• Large appliances like refrigerators and ovens³
• Hazardous materials such as paint, chemicals, and electronics containing cathode ray tubes³
• Furniture in poor condition, including heavy stains, pet hair, rust, or significant damage³
• Televisions older than five years⁴
• Baby items like cribs and car seats³

The Salvation Army aims to use 82% of donations for food, shelter, and services³. Donations are tax-deductible.³

Knowing the Salvation Army’s guidelines helps your donations make a big difference. If you have questions, visit their website or call their donation line⁴.

Why Certain Items Are Not Accepted

The Salvation Army has rules for what they can accept, like mattresses. These rules help keep everyone safe and healthy. They also think about legal issues, quality, and how to recycle or throw away items.

Safety and Health Regulations

Mattresses can have bedbugs, bacteria, and allergens. This is a big risk for the Salvation Army⁵. So, they don’t take mattresses or box springs to keep everyone safe⁶.

They also don’t take furniture that’s damaged or smells bad. This is because it might have pests or germs⁶.

Legal and Quality Concerns

Some items might be recalled or have legal issues. The Salvation Army can’t give these out⁵. This includes old furniture and certain desks⁵.

They also won’t take appliances over 10 years old. This is because they might not be safe or up to standard⁵.

Recycling and Disposal Issues

Dealing with items that can’t be sold or thrown away costs money. The Salvation Army can’t accept some TVs because of this⁵. By choosing what they accept, they can use donations to help people, not just get rid of things⁵.

Knowing the Salvation Army’s rules helps donors make better choices. This way, their donations can really help the community⁵⁶.

does salvation army take mattresses

The Salvation Army, a well-known charity, usually doesn’t take mattress donations. This is because mattresses can harbor bedbugs, bacteria, and allergens. These could harm the staff and those they help⁷. Also, the Salvation Army might not have the means to clean, store, and move used mattresses⁷.

Some Salvation Army places might accept mattresses in special cases. But most don’t because of safety and cleanliness issues. They also face challenges in handling and processing mattresses⁸.

If you want to donate your old mattress, there are other places to try. Groups like Habitat for Humanity and Vietnam Veterans of America might take them. So do local mattress recycling centers, with certain rules⁸. Some cities also have programs to recycle mattresses, often for a small fee⁸.

Even though the Salvation Army doesn’t take mattresses, there are other ways to get rid of them. By looking into other donation and recycling options, you can help the environment. This way, your old mattress won’t go to waste⁹.

In summary, while the Salvation Army doesn’t usually take mattresses, there are many other places to donate or recycle them. By knowing the donation rules and looking for other options, you can help the planet. This makes mattress disposal more eco-friendly and responsible⁸⁷⁹.

Donation Guidelines and Condition Requirements

Donating to the Salvation Army means your items must meet certain standards. Clothes, blankets, and fabric items need to be clean and in good shape¹⁰. They should not have tears, stains, or too much wear¹⁰.

For mattresses, the Salvation Army looks for cleanliness and no stains or tears¹⁰. They also check for bed bugs and other infestations¹⁰.

Material and Fabrication Considerations

Electronics and mechanical items must work properly¹⁰. The Salvation Army can’t take items that don’t work¹⁰.

Some places have rules for used mattresses because of health and safety¹⁰. It’s smart to call ahead to see if they accept your donation¹⁰.

Electronic and Mechanical Items

Electronics and mechanical items need to work well¹⁰. The Salvation Army can’t take broken items¹⁰.

Furniture and Large Items

Furniture and big items should be sturdy and not damaged¹⁰. The National Furniture Bank Association helps families with furniture¹⁰.

They accept mattresses that are clean and in good condition¹⁰. This includes no stains or bugs¹⁰.

⁸ Many places don’t take mattresses because of bed bugs and cleanliness⁸. But, the listed organizations do accept mattress donations⁸.

Before donating, clean and sanitize mattresses¹⁰. Vacuum, use mattress cleaner, air out, and check for bugs¹⁰. These organizations also take other items like furniture and clothes¹⁰.

“The NFBA encourages responsible disposal and recycling of mattresses that cannot be donated, collaborating with city recycling programs for eco-friendly options.”¹⁰

If mattresses can’t be donated, recycling is a good option¹⁰. The Mattress Recycling Council helps find recycling facilities¹⁰.

⁸ A Bedder World Mattress Recycling has recycled over 1 million mattresses⁸. Local programs might charge a small fee for mattress disposal⁸. You can also post free items on Facebook and Nextdoor⁸¹⁰.

Alternative Ways to Donate or Dispose of Unaccepted Items

If the Salvation Army can’t take certain items like mattresses, there are other ways to donate or dispose of them. Goodwill, with over 3,300 stores in North America¹¹, and The Salvation Army, with over 7,000 locations in the U.S¹¹, might accept more items. This includes furniture and electronics.

The Arc, started in 1950, supports people with disabilities¹¹. Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1976, works to build safe, affordable homes¹¹. Furniture Bank, established in 1998, focuses on giving furniture to those in need¹¹. These organizations might accept various household items.

Charities usually want new, unused, or gently-used items without major damage¹¹. Donations can be tax-deductible with the right paperwork, following IRS rules¹¹. Some charities offer free furniture pick-up, but scheduling can vary¹¹. For quick pick-up and delivery, GoShare is an option.

For items the Salvation Army can’t take, like mattresses, local recycling centers or city services might help. They ensure disposal is eco-friendly. A list of local bulky items pick-up services is available¹².

Looking into these other donation and disposal options helps make sure unwanted items are used or disposed of properly. This is true even if the Salvation Army can’t accept them.

Conclusion

The Salvation Army has clear rules for accepting mattress donations¹³. They take many household items but not mattresses. This is because of safety, hygiene, and logistics concerns. Yet, there are other ways to donate or recycle mattresses and other items¹⁴.

Donors can find out about these options to make sure their items are used well or recycled right. This helps reduce the huge waste of over 20 million mattresses thrown away each year in the U.S¹³.. It also supports the Salvation Army’s goal to help those in need while keeping things safe and of good quality.

Here’s what you need to know about donating mattresses to the Salvation Army. They accept mattresses that are stain-free, but cleaning them can cost between $60 and $120¹³. Some animal shelters and pet rescue centers might also take old mattresses for rescued animals¹³. Knowing these rules and looking into other ways to donate or dispose of items helps us manage waste and support our communities.

Source Links

1. The Salvation Army Thrift Stores – https://satruck.org/faq
2. How to Donate Your Mattress (2024) – Mattress Clarity – https://www.mattressclarity.com/sleep-resources/how-to-donate-your-mattress/
3. What Items Does the Salvation Army Not Take? – Waste Removal USA – https://wasteremovalusa.com/blog/what-items-does-the-salvation-army-not-take/
4. The Salvation Army Thrift Stores – https://satruck.org/
5. Explained: Why our stores can’t accept all donations – Willmar Salvation Army – https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/northern/Willmar/news/explained-why-our-stores-cant-accept-all-donations-2-1/
6. West Michigan Family Stores/Grand Rapids ARC – http://grandrapids.satruck.org/grandrapidsarc/news/You-asked-donations
7. Bulky Items – Canoga Park Adult Rehabilitation Center – https://canogaparkarc.salvationarmy.org/canoga_park_adult_rehabilitation_center/bulky-items/
8. Does Salvation Army Accept Mattresses? (Plus 4 Alternative Options) – https://www.abedderworld.com/does-salvation-army-take-mattresses.html/
9. Mattress Disposal Guide – https://lull.com/pages/mattress-disposal-guide?srsltid=AfmBOoqtHyZo4xG2tx9UC_OUk9V6pbEvhHSuA-_lWRNzdjb8oWEzmo_i
10. Give Your Old Bed a New Life: How to Donate Mattress Like A Pro – https://qshark-moving.com/donate-mattress/
11. Donating Furniture: 5 Charities That Pick Up Donations – GoShare – https://goshare.co/5-charities-that-pick-up-donations/
12. BULKY ITEMS – Stockton Adult Rehabilitation Center – https://stocktonarc.salvationarmy.org/stockton_adult_rehabilitation_center/what-we-can-and-cannot-accept/
13. What Do I Do With My Old Mattress? – https://thebeddingmart.com/blogs/news/what-do-i-do-with-my-old-mattress
14. Charities That Will Pick Up Furniture for Free (2024 Guide) – https://www.thisoldhouse.com/storage-organization/reviews/charities-that-will-pick-up-furniture-for-free