How to Dispose of an Old Sofa

Occasionally we have old or broken furniture that we need to get rid of. If you have an old sofa that is taking up space in your home or if it’s time to move out, there are several ways to get rid of it. Donating your sofa to charity or giving it to give to a friend are a few options. Keep reading for more ideas on how to get rid of old or broken furniture.

It’s no secret that getting rid of a used sofa or bed is difficult. Upholstered furniture may not find many buyers, especially if it’s damaged, broken, or stained. And to think that once you paid good money for that piece of furniture sometimes make you wince. Unfortunately, except for leather, upholstered furniture loses its value mainly due to being used. They’re hard to get rid of it, even when you're not thinking about getting any money from it.

So what should a used sofa owner do apart from abandoning it near the dumpster? As it turns out, there are a lot of options, and one of them will work for you.

How to Dispose of Old Furniture

  1. Have a garage sale

While it’s difficult to sell used upholstered furniture, it’s not impossible. It largely depends on the condition of the piece. Consider selling it if it’s in a reasonable state. Here is an excellent way to figure out whether it’s saleable: if it were the other way around, would you buy it?

  • If you feel that your sofa is in good condition, have it cleaned professionally or give it a good rub yourself. You might not make much money, but at least you’ll sell it more easily.
  • If you’re having a garage sale to get rid of some things, your sofa can be part of it.
  • Donate your used sofa to a church, community center, or school. They might be able to use it or sell it themselves. Your participation could be limited to just transporting it there, so this’ll save you time.
  1. Place an ad on the internet

There are numerous resources on the internet that can help you dispose of old furniture. Place an ad on an online marketplace, put it up for auction on eBay, put it on Craigslist, tell your friends and family on social media, etc. You can either sell it, or give it away. Don’t forget to ask when the buyer will come by to pick it up, or whether you’re going to have to deliver it.

  1. Your old sofa for a new one

Some stores will take your old furniture if you buy a new one from them; they’ll just sell the new furniture to you at a lower price. It’s worth finding out.

  1. Pass it on

Ask your friends and family whether they want to take in your used sofa. Most likely, someone will want it, especially if they are young and about to move out of their parents’ house.

  1. Advertise to university students

If you live in a city with a university/universities, the students there might be your best buyers. You can put up your ad at their student union, or other boards on-campus. Students are always looking for cheap or free furniture.

  1. Donate to charity

Charity centers can take in your furniture. But you may want to make sure it’s still in usable condition. Most charities will come and pick it up from your house and give you a tax receipt. Check to see if you have any furniture banks in your city. They can also take a look at your sofa, give you a tax receipt, and find a new home for it. You can also consider donating to a homeless shelter, or local theater.

  1. Have them take it away

When all else fails, and your sofa is badly damaged and it’s no use repairing it, throw it away without a second though. Consult your city before going out and disposing it on your own. Many cities have services to transport such items away, often for a small fee.

  1. Re-upholstering the furniture

Consider re-upholstering them. This may not work for everyone, but if you have a good quality sofa with a sturdy frame, this is undoubtedly an option.

 9. Use covers.

This can be cheaper than re-upholstering the sofa and can be obtained on request, or purchased at stores specializing in this type of furniture.

Quick tips on how to get rid of old broken furniture:
  • Create brochures advertising the intended old sofa disposal. Include a description and a picture of the furniture and your contact information.
  • Send a mass email to all your friends and family, informing them that your old sofa is being given away. Include a digital photo.

• If your city allows it, simply place your old sofa next to the dumpster and put up a sign that says "Free" on it. Probably, somebody will take it in.