How to Sell a Used Mattress – Everything You Need to Know

You’re moving across the country or just bought a new mattress. What are you supposed to do with the old one? 

It seems perfectly fine. You can’t just throw away a whole bed like that! 

Well, we have an answer for you. 

This is how to sell a mattress. Let’s get into it. 

Can You Sell a Mattress in Your Area?

The first step you need to take before selling a used mattress is extremely important. You need to check your local laws and regulations. 

These are made to protect buyers from health risks, and you must follow them. 

State Laws

The sale of used mattresses is subject to far more regulation than most household items. Here are some things you should watch out for:

• Cleaning: we already mentioned that you should get your used mattress cleaned before posting that ad, but many states, like North Carolina, actually require you to have your mattress professionally sanitized before putting it up for sale. This will also improve the chances of someone buying it. 
• Labels and tags: Federal law requires mattress retailers to tag used mattresses. This helps buyers know precisely what they’re getting. Think of it as giving your bed a little I.D. card. It’s all about being transparent and providing information that builds trust. Some states require certain tags. A yellow tag usually means the mattress has been sanitized, and mattresses that have a red tag are made from used materials.
• State regulations: Each state has its quirks for selling used mattresses. While some states require mattress retailers to refrain from selling used mattresses, individuals are allowed to. It’s essential to know the rules in your area. For example, retailers can’t sell used mattresses in Washington, Maryland, Louisiana, and Indiana, and Kansas prohibits everybody from doing so.
• Filling: you could even sell used mattress filling! When selling mattress filling, you must check your state’s regulations. For example, some states require specific guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety and comfort. It’s always better to be informed and follow the rules.

Federal Flammability Standard

In 2007, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission introduced the Federal Flammability Standards, 16 CFR Part 1633.

This vital standard ensures that all mattresses sold in the U.S. are tested to limit the spread of flames and heat in the event of a fire, creating a safe place to sleep. 

So, before selling any used mattresses, ensure they meet this standard to guarantee their fire-resistant qualities. It’s all about providing a cozy and secure environment for sleep. Safety first!

Is Your Mattress Safe to Sell?

Now that we’ve got the legal considerations out of the way, it’s also time for some ethical questions – is your mattress even safe to sell? 

Take a good look at your used mattress and ask yourself, – would you buy it? And would you sleep on it?

Old used mattresses must be in good shape, clean, supportive, and have no bed bugs if you want to make a sale. Do they have any significant stains or lumps, or are they saggy? Then it might be better to recycle.

It would help if you also kept the mattress’s age in mind. A lot of mattresses last around 7 to 8 years. If a used mattress is already 5 to 6 years old, it might not be suitable for sale. 

Used mattresses need to be inspected for stains, sagginess, rips, tears, or any signs of wear and tear before being sold. And most importantly, you have to clean them thoroughly. 

How to Set a Price for a Mattress

But what’s the fair price for your mattress? Firstly, don’t expect to get rich when you sell your used mattress. But here are some pointers on how to decide on a good price. 

• Age: A three-year-old mattress can be sold for more than a seven-year-old mattress. 
• Usage frequency: Guest bedroom used mattresses may be worth more than daily-used ones.
• Current condition: Check for sagging, visible stains, and other signs of damage that might affect the item’s value.
• Brand reputation: Is your mattress from a trusted brand with good reviews? Then you might decide on a higher price. 
• Delivery options: You can charge more if you deliver the used mattress yourself, and you might have to lower the price if the buyer has to come to pick up the mattress. 
• Original price: what was the market value of the mattress? A natural latex mattress will cost more than a regular memory foam mattress, so that you can sell it for a higher price. 
• Extras: If you want to include any extra pillows, bedding, or even bed frames, you could have a higher asking price. Also, people like feeling like they made a good deal. 

How to Write an Advertisement for Your Mattress

Your ad needs to have all the crucial information about the mattress and a little something extra. 

Here’s a list of what you should include to find interested buyers:

• Mattress brand, model, and mattress size
• Mattress type (innerspring, hybrid, memory foam, latex)
• Details about the fabric and other materials 
• Mattress age and how much it was used 
• Whether you used a mattress protector 
• What’s the price? Are you willing to negotiate, or is it the “best offer” 
• Information about the location and delivery options
• Contact information 

And there you go! Now you have your ad ready to post!

Where Should You Sell Your Mattress?

There’s also the question of where you should sell your mattress. Here are some of the best spots to post your ad. 

• Facebook marketplace: an excellent place to start if you want to sell a mattress to local buyers.
• Craigslist: this platform is filled with ads for all types of used stuff, including used mattresses.
• Amazon: another popular option, but it may be hard to sell without reviews. Shipping a bed requires a high-quality cover, which can be expensive. 
• eBay: this is also an excellent spot to list your used mattress ad, but eBay does need you to pay a fee and handle the shipping. 

Mattress Reselling Strategies

We have some extra tips to help you sell your old mattress faster. 

• Refresh your listing: if no one has responded to your ad after a while. If it’s at the top, it’ll be more visible. 
• Adjust the price: you can also consider lowering your asking price to attract buyers. Just don’t make it free! 
• Free delivery: can you somehow transport your mattress to the buyer? This is a big plus for your old mattresses ad. 
• Title and description: you must draw the attention of the buyer with an eye-catching title and support it with an informative description.  
• Include high-quality photos from multiple angles: people like knowing what exactly they’re buying, and that includes used mattresses.  

Sell Your Mattress!

And now you’re ready for the final step – it’s time to sell your mattress! 

Remember that you might not be able to sell it immediately, though. It all depends on your local area’s population, their need for a mattress, and other factors. Also, most people prefer buying a brand-new mattress to sleep on over a used one. 

If none of the strategies we mentioned before work, you might have to donate or get rid of the mattress.

Another important thing is to be careful when meeting up in person with potential buyers! 

How to Keep a Mattress in Good Condition

Keeping a mattress in good condition is crucial for yourself, not just if you need to resell it one day. Here’s what you need to do to ensure your bed stays in tip-top shape. 

• Use a mattress protector: those waterproof ones can primarily protect your mattress from stains or spills, but they’re also good for bed bugs and dust mites. 
• Clean your mattress regularly: every couple of months, even if you have a mattress protector. 
• Don’t eat in bed: breakfast sounds nice, but any accidents can damage your mattress. 
• Don’t let your pets on the bed: we know you love your furry friend, but pet dander build-up in a mattress is no joke. 
• Rotate or flip your mattress regularly: depending on what the instructions state. 
• Use the proper support: like a box spring. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Donate a Mattress?

And if you can’t sell your used mattress and need to get rid of it quickly, you could also try donating it! It saves you the hassle of finding a potential buyer while preventing an excellent mattress from ending up in a landfill.

But before you get to your local charities, check whether they accept used mattresses. A lot of charities only accept new mattresses, or they don’t accept mattresses at all. 

The used mattress must be in excellent condition if you want to donate it; otherwise, it won’t be accepted. But if you manage to do it, you could qualify for a tax deduction if the organization you’re donating to is IRS-approved. 

You can check out places like Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill, religious organizations, or homeless shelters to donate your used bed. 

Don’t worry if that doesn’t work out. Charities aren’t the only option. You can always try to get your mattress recycled. 

Is Reselling a Mattress Legal?

That depends on the local regulations of where you live and where you want to sell a used mattress. In most states in the U.S., selling a used mattress is legal, but you have to follow some rules and conditions regarding safety and hygiene. 

But some states have stricter laws or altogether prohibit selling used mattresses. Make sure to check whether it’s legal to sell a used mattress in your local area before you post that ad. 

Where Is the Best Place to Resell a Mattress?

If you’re looking to sell a used mattress, it’s best to list your sale online. 

You can use a couple of platforms for selling used beds, and they all have pros and cons. Some online marketplaces where many people sell items include Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Amazon, and eBay. 

Final Thoughts

If you want to sell a used mattress, remember that it needs to be in good condition, and make sure to check the laws in your area! 

Good luck finding a buyer and selling your mattress!