Most cities in Collin and Grayson County treat an old mattress as a regular bulk item, under their usual size and weight limits. Residents can also use some city drop-off sites, donate a clean mattress, or pay a hauler to carry it out. Cowboy Site Services hauls mattresses priced by trailer space, from $189 for a minimum pickup.
Is there a special rule for mattresses?
Mostly, no. Of the city pages we checked, none sets a mattress-only rule, like a bag requirement or a separate pickup day. A mattress is handled like any other bulky item, under the same size, weight and scheduling rules.
A few cities do name mattresses on their accepted lists, which settles the basic question. Others list furniture in general and leave mattresses to the size limits. Either way, read your city's limits before you drag anything to the curb.
If your town isn't covered below, our Collin County bulk pickup rules guide collects the rest. Missing a cutoff usually means waiting for the next cycle.
Which cities name mattresses on their bulk lists?
These cities say outright that mattresses can go out with bulk. Each still has its own schedule and limits.
- Allen: the City of Allen's bulk page accepts mattresses and box springs, and every item must weigh under 150 pounds. Collection is automatic once a month on an assigned Saturday tied to your trash day.
- Plano: Plano's accepted-items list includes furniture and mattresses or box springs. Plano's bulky waste page assigns each household a collection day and caps each pile at 6 by 4 by 4 feet.
- Anna: Anna's bulk set-out guidelines accept furniture, lawn furniture, and mattresses or compressible items.
- Howe: the City of Howe's utilities page lists mattresses, furniture, stoves and water heaters. Bulk goes out the second Saturday of each month by 7 a.m.
What about McKinney, Frisco and the rest?
These cities treat a mattress as a general bulky item. The size and booking rules are what matter.
- McKinney: McKinney's residential trash page runs bulky pickup by appointment only, with up to 12 free collections a year. Book through the Waste Wizard before noon the business day before collection day.
- McKinney's set-out has to fit within 3.5 feet tall by 3 feet deep by 9 feet long, or be two large household pieces. A mattress and box spring together are usually the easy case.
- Frisco: Frisco's bulk trash page needs an online reservation by noon the business day before. The limit is 5 items, none over 6 feet in any direction or 50 pounds, so measure the mattress before you book.
- Sherman: Sherman's bulk and brush page offers one free call-in pickup a month, up to 5 cubic yards of bulk. Request it through the Sherman app, the city website or 903-892-7777.
- Denison: Denison's bulk collection page runs curbside bulk six times a year, in February, April, June, August, October and December. The limit is one pile of 2 cubic yards or less.
Can you drop off a mattress yourself?
Often, if you live in the right city and bring the right paperwork. A mattress is floppy and catches wind, so strap it down. Allen's disposal page says state law requires every load to be covered or tied down.
- Allen: Allen's do-it-yourself disposal program takes items up to 8 feet in any dimension, including mattresses and box springs. Bring a current Allen water bill and a Texas driver's license with matching addresses.
- McKinney: households get two free drop-off visits a month. Bring a water bill dated within 30 days and a matching Texas driver's license.
- Melissa: Melissa's 121 landfill page lists mattresses among items accepted on its free resident drop-off. Bring a water bill dated within 30 days that shows a solid waste fee, plus a matching driver's license.
- Prosper: Prosper's Annual Spring Cleanup accepts furniture and mattresses, with a Prosper utility bill and driver's license.
- Denison: the Residential Collection Station gives residents their first cubic yard of junk free. It needs an active water account and photo ID, and it doesn't accept contractors or landlords.
- Sherman: the Citizens' Trash Drop-Off Station at 811 S East St needs a driver's license and a current water bill. It charges by the cubic yard.
What about the regional landfill and convenience centers?
The North Texas Municipal Water District runs the 121 Regional Disposal Facility in Melissa. NTMWD's facilities page says it charges by the ton with a one-ton minimum and takes cards only.
For one mattress, that minimum makes it a poor deal. NTMWD also runs four Citizen Convenience Centers. Residents of Allen, Frisco, McKinney, Plano and Richardson can drop off certain waste there twice a month.
Those visits need a city-issued utility bill showing solid-waste service. For the full list of local sites, see our guide to where to dump junk in Collin County.
Can you donate a used mattress?
Sometimes. Charities that take furniture set their own rules, and many charities won't take a mattress that's stained, torn or sagging. Call before you load it, and ask whether they take mattresses at all.
Also ask whether they pick up or you have to drop off. Our guide to donating furniture in Collin County covers what to ask.
If it's in good shape, a friend, a relative or a free listing online often moves it faster. Be honest about its age and condition so nobody drives across town for nothing.
Getting it out of the house
The hard part usually isn't the curb. It's the stairs, the tight hallway and the turn at the landing.
Two people make it far easier. Bend a full-size or smaller mattress gently to clear a corner, but don't force a firm one. Clear the path and prop open the doors first.
Take the bed frame apart before moving the mattress. Bag the bolts and slats so nothing is left loose on the floor.
Which option fits your situation?
If a whole bedroom set is going, the couch disposal guide covers the other big pieces.
- Your city names mattresses and your bulk day is close: set it out by the rules.
- It's clean and in good shape: try a charity, a relative or a free listing first.
- You have a pickup and the right paperwork: a resident drop-off may be free.
- It's upstairs, there's a frame and box spring too, or bulk day is weeks away: hiring a hauler is often simpler.
- You're clearing a rental with several beds left behind: see eviction and rental cleanouts.
When it makes sense to hand it off
Our mattress removal service covers mattresses and box springs from any room or floor. We carry it out, take the frame too, and haul it off. You don't have to move anything first.
Pricing goes by how much room the load takes on the trailer, starting at $189 for a minimum pickup. Text a photo for an honest estimate, and the firm quote is confirmed on site before we load. See our pricing for what fits in each tier.
If the mattress is still in good shape, we try to get it donated instead of tossed. Whole rooms of furniture go the same way through furniture removal.