10 Organizations That Will Pick Up Furniture for Free

A new apartment brings new furniture and a time to reflect on what you need and can do without. Whether you're downsizing, or just want a fresh start in your new place, you have bulk items to get rid of, and you can't remove them by yourself.

Instead of pushing your stuff to the curb for bulk garbage day, try donating furniture to some worthy nonprofits. These organizations will not only take your unwanted items, they'll pick them up from your place for free!

Could it get any easier than that?

Here are ten places that arrange free furniture pick up nationally and locally.

Free Furniture Pick Up

1. GreenDrop

GreenDrop is a company that works with local nonprofits and will arrange to pickup and donate your furniture for free. In addition to donated furniture, they will take household items and clothing as well. They also raise funds to help support nonprofits.

Green Drop accepts in-person donations. You can also schedule a furniture donation pick-up through their website, though free furniture pickup hours vary depending on your location.

How donations help: Give back to your favorite charities like the American Red Cross, Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the National Federation of the Blind through Green Drop and their free old furniture removal services.

Acceptable items: Green Drop has a more specific list of acceptable and unacceptable items than most. They accept:

• small furniture
• electronics
• sporting goods
• kitchenware
• decorations
• appliances
• clothing
• items that are less than 50 pounds

You can find a complete list of acceptable donations here.

2. The Arc

Did you know your furniture donations could support one of the most prominent organizations devoted to helping those with developmental and intellectual disabilities?

Check your local Arc chapter online to discuss items and donate furniture. You can schedule a free pick-up for donations between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

How donations help: The Arc helps ensure those with disabilities receive services and programs they need by working with local and national governments while they pick up used furniture for free.

Acceptable items: The Arc is one charity that picks up furniture for free, as well as clothing and other household items.

3. Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity will not only pick up your furniture, they'll also take many items that other locations will not, such as sinks, washers and dryers, and even doorknobs. Most local Habitat ReStores offer pick-ups of furniture donations, appliances, building materials, and other items.

You can find a local Habitat for Humanity ReStore in your area or schedule furniture pick-ups online. Furniture donation pick-up hours vary depending on your Humanity ReStore location.

How donations help: Help give the world a decent place to live with the global nonprofit Habitat for Humanity.

Acceptable items: Habitat for Humanity accepts:

• sofas
• chairs
• tables
• dressers
• bed frames
• tables
• entertainment centers
• bookshelves
• more items that are free of tears, stains, or pet damage

4. AMVETS

AMVETs is a veteran-focused charity that helps veterans and their families receive counsel and representation for legal issues related to their benefits, among many other services. They also run a Thrift Store that provides affordable goods, and they use the proceeds to fund their mission.

Currently, AMVET only offers to pick up junk furniture for free in California, parts of Florida, Tennessee, Maryland, and Texas. Send an email or your phone number through the AMVET site to schedule a free furniture pickup between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

How donations help: Help AMVET generate revenue for its Veterans Programs by donating your unused items and free furniture donations.

Acceptable items: AMVET requires donations to be five years old or less. They’re open to accepting other items that are not on their list, which include:

• small furniture
• electronics like flat-screen TVs and computers
• kitchen supplies
• lamps
• toys
• games
• homeware items like curtains
• bikes
• books
• seasonal items
• exercise equipment

5. Goodwill

Donate furniture to a good cause to help your community. Goodwill helps support community programs like job training and placement and classes for people with disabilities or those challenged with traditional employment.

Goodwill often prefers in-person donations. However, some chapters will pick up large items like furniture. Find a local Goodwill pick-up online to discuss your items and schedule a free furniture donation pick-up. Goodwill’s free pickup of old furniture hours varies depending on your location.

How donations help: To support the community programs, Goodwill uses the money from the sales of your donated furniture both in stores and online.

Acceptable items: larger items include riding lawnmowers, campers, RVs, boats, SUVs, cars, trucks, and more. Smaller items include electronics, collectibles, glassware, dishes, accessories, clothing, and furniture.

6. Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is one of the best places to donate furniture, including larger items and a variety of things that you can’t place otherwise. Donate your furniture, appliances, clothing, household items, and even used vehicles to help those in need.

Schedule a Salvation Army pick-up online or call 1-800-SA-TRUCK. Salvation Army free old furniture pick-up hours are typically 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, they can vary depending on the location.

How donations help: Help the Salvation Army aid disaster survivors, provide shelter, cure hunger, support the LGBTQ community, and help those who are struggling with addictions or living in poverty with their old furniture pick-up services.

Acceptable items: automobiles, kitchen items, appliances, clothing, and an old furniture donation.

7. Donation Town

Not sure how to get rid of furniture for free? Donation Town connects people who wish to donate furniture, clothing, and other items with charities that will pick up furniture items for free. Just enter your ZIP code and choose from a list of charities that will quickly tell you how to get rid of old furniture for free.

Donation Town is also ideal if you’re looking for a hyper-local charity that accepts furniture donation pick-ups.

How donations help: Rather than give away furniture, instantly connect with local charities, supporting various causes with the help of Donation Town.

Acceptable items: Because Donation Town works with various charities, the list of acceptable items varies. Check out your local charities through the Donation Town website for more information, including which will pick up old furniture for free.

8. Pickup Please

Pickup Please is a donation service program run by the Vietnam Veterans of America and, as the name suggests, they happily facilitate free furniture pickup.

The organization requests that furniture be lightweight and suitable for one person to carry. Schedule a furniture donation pick-up for Vietnam Veterans of America online from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

How donations help: The VVA helps veterans access the health care and treatment options they deserve, and donations help generate funds.

Acceptable items: The Vietnam Veterans of America accept:

• clothing of all types and sizes
• stereos
• books
• toys
• bikes
• kitchenware
• small furniture and rugs
• small appliances
• tools
• jewelry
• cosmetics
• baby items
• and more

9. Furniture Bank

Donating through The National Furniture Bank Association is a meaningful way to help you provide families in need with more comfort and dignity in their day.

Connect with your closest furniture bank online to find a place that picks up old furniture for free. Furniture donation pick-up hours vary depending on your location.

How donations help: Help support vulnerable families trying to get back on their feet. Most Furniture Bank clients are moving out of homeless shelters.

Acceptable items: The National Furniture Bank Association desperately needs individuals to donate bedroom furniture, including beds, tables, and couches.

10. Housing Works

Housing Works is a non-profit dedicated to fighting the impact of HIV/AIDS and homelessness, providing advocacy, fundraising, and working with individuals and businesses who are also passionate about their mission.

Accepting furniture donations allows them to provide a comfortable living space for someone needing temporary housing. You can schedule a furniture donation pick-up online for service between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m with Housing Works.

How donations help: Support the fight to end AIDS and homelessness with the help of Housing Works.

Acceptable items: Housing Works’ standards are pretty high, but they eagerly accept furniture and other items in excellent condition, including:

• clothing
• accessories
• antiques
• art
• decorations
• housewares
• jewelry
• lighting
• clean rugs
• books
• and more

Bonus: Give Your Unwanted Furniture to Individuals

If you would rather give directly to an individual, try a site like Freecycle. You can also use social media platforms like Facebook Marketplace or NextDoor to reach out to your neighbors and offer your unwanted items. These apps provide the option to post objects for sale or giveaway so your neighbors can see which items are available for free.

In your post, state that items must be picked up by the receiver, and that they must agree to take the item as is. Many people are happy to pick up free furniture in good condition. Just make sure to take clear pictures and be up front about any damages.

How to Schedule a Free Furniture Removal

Hopefully, now you have a better understanding of local charities in your area and are interested in picking up your unwanted items. Here’s how to get the process started.

Find a Local Non-Profit Offering Free Pickup for Donations

The list above features nonprofits that will pickup furniture donations all across the United States. In addition to the list above of local non-profits, there may be more in your local area that will offer free pickup. If you know of a Thrift Store near you that sells furniture, you might reach out to them or visit their website to find out if they'll pickup your unwanted items.

Ensure All Your Items are Acceptable

As you’ve noticed by now, each organization has different requirements regarding what items are acceptable. Especially when it comes to larger furniture items, you’ll want to ensure your pieces will be accepted by the charity of your choice.

Additionally, you want to make sure your items are clean and in good working condition, unless the organization explicitly states that they repair items. It costs organizations money to clean furniture or make repairs, which raises their overall costs of operation. By ensuring that your furniture is in good condition to be donated, you're helping out the organization as well as the person receiving your item.

Make an Appointment

Lastly, once you’ve found a local non-profit and have ensured your items are eligible for pickup, it’s time to schedule your appointment. In the list above, we frequently linked directly to the pages of their website that explain how to arrange for pickup. In most cases, arranging for pickup is as simple as making a phone call or sending an email.

Be mindful of the date, time, and weather when scheduling. Make sure you're available during your pickup window, and do not leave your furniture unattended outside unless you've arranged to do so beforehand.

Furniture Donation Pick-Up Tips

Once you’ve identified your favorite charity that accepts your furniture, it’s time to schedule a donation furniture pick up for free. Here are some tips to consider:

1. Coordinate with Your Landlord or Neighbors:

If you've arranged to leave your furniture outside, inform your landlord in advance, especially if you live in a large building. Let your neighbors know, too, that you are attempting to donate an item and have arranged for pickup. Though if any of your neighbors express interest in your item, you could consider donating it to them instead as a courtesy.

2. Donate Quality Furniture:

Donated furniture typically needs to be in decent shape, meaning free of stains, rips, and other damage. It's usually a good idea to clean your furniture prior to donation as well.

3.Write Off Your Furniture Donation

One of the major benefits of donating to a nonprofit is that you can arrange for a receipt and include the donation as a tax write off. Ask the charity about a tax receipt or other paperwork to use for tax time.

More Furniture Pickup Options

While not free, there are organization that will haul your furniture away for you, and there are some compelling reasons to consider a paid service.

Why Pay for Junk Removal?

Companies that offer paid furniture removal will generally guarantee reuse or recycling of those items, making them a very good option if you're environmentally conscious. Other reasons to pay for furniture removal include,

• Your items are not in good enough condition for donation.
• You have items that your local organizations do not accept.
• You have a large number of junk items in addition to furniture items that you need removed at the same time.

How to Find Junk Removal Services

Paid junk pickup options are easy to find in your local listings either via internet search, Yelp or other listing service, or the Yellow Pages. While there are national junk removal options, many areas have local companies that will pickup your unwanted items, including local moving companies. You may even be able to arrange for furniture removal through your movers.

Final Thoughts

Giving away old furniture you no longer helps declutter your apartment and can majorly benefit charities involved. Thankfully, many resources are out there to help connect you with places that will pick up furniture. Organizations offering free furniture removal make it easier than ever to give back!

If you're still on the hunt for your dream apartment, let us help! Take our quiz today to find your perfect match.

Free Furniture Removal FAQs

Where Can I Donate Furniture?

In most cases, organizations that offer free pickup are also places that accept furniture donations. Any of the listings above are great places to donate furniture, and all of them offer free pickup. Additionally, you can check local Thrift Stores or other nonprofits to see if they will accept furniture donations.

What Condition Do My Items Need to be in for Donation?

Places that pick up used furniture typically require the pieces to be in decent shape, meaning free of stains, rips, and other damages. It is also considered courteous to clean your items unless the organization lets you know that cleaning isn't necessary.

Are My Donations Tax-Deductible?

You can write off furniture donations on your taxes. One of the benefits of donating to a nonprofit rather than giving your furniture away is that you can ask the charity about a tax receipt or other paperwork to use for tax time. That can help you to keep more money in your pocket.

Who Will Pick Up a Donated Piano?

Most charities that pick up furniture cannot accept a donated piano. However, specialized organizations like The Beethoven Foundation will accept pianos. The Beethoven Foundation is dedicated to providing pianos to talented young musicians who cannot afford their own instrument.

It may also be worth calling your local schools to find out if they could use a free piano in good condition. Finally, if your piano is in very poor condition, you can contact a junk removal service and pay for it to be recycled.

Where Can I Donate a Mattress?

Many of the organizations listed above, including Salvation Army, Goodwill, Furniture Banks Network, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Habitat for Humanity, accept mattress donations. To ensure your mattress is appropriate for donation, it should

• Have working springs or good foam shape
• Not sag
• Be free of stains (or have very light stains)
• Be free of mold
• Not have any pests
• Lack rips or tears