When you’re preparing for a move in Los Angeles, there’s a good chance you’ll come across a few items you no longer want to take with you. Whether it’s an old couch, a worn-out mattress, or a washer and dryer that won’t fit in your new apartment, figuring out what to do with these things can be confusing.

We often get calls from customers asking, “Can your movers take old furniture?” or “Can you get rid of the stuff we don’t need anymore?” The truth is — yes, there are several ways to handle unwanted furniture removal in Los Angeles, and the right choice depends on the condition of your items, your building rules, and your moving timeline.

In this guide, we’ll share everything we’ve learned from years of helping L.A. residents move and declutter — from free options and donation tips to when it’s worth paying for professional Los Angeles furniture disposal.

Why Furniture Disposal Is Part of Every Move

Moving isn’t just about packing boxes and loading a truck. It’s also the perfect opportunity to downsize, refresh your space, and get rid of furniture that no longer serves you.

People in Los Angeles often move between apartments, condos, and rental homes where space or layout changes — suddenly that sectional sofa doesn’t fit, or your new place already includes appliances.

By planning your furniture disposal ahead of time, you can:

• Save money by reducing the number of items to move

• Avoid last-minute stress

• Help others through donation or resale

• Prevent fines from leaving furniture in unauthorized areas

Let’s break down your best options for both usable furniture and damaged or worn-out items.

1. When Your Furniture Is Still in Good Shape

Sometimes customers don’t want to throw things away — they simply can’t take them. Maybe the new apartment comes fully furnished or includes a washer and dryer.

Just last week, one of our clients gifted us their washer and dryer because their new home already had a set. We helped move them out safely and found someone on our crew who could use them. If you’re in a similar situation, here’s what you can do.

Option 1: Give It Away to Friends, Neighbors, or Movers

If your furniture or appliances are still in good condition, the easiest route is often to give them away.
Take clear pictures, note dimensions, and share them with friends, family, or neighbors. You’d be surprised how quickly someone might want your items.

We also help by asking our team if anyone is interested in taking the furniture. We’ve helped re-home dozens of pieces this way — saving the customer disposal costs and preventing waste.

Option 2: Post It Online for Free or for Sale

Los Angeles residents frequently use apps like:

• OfferUp – very popular locally for furniture and appliances

• Craigslist – free section or low-price listings

• Facebook Marketplace – great for community pickup requests

Just make sure you list it at least a few days before your move date. Use phrases like “must pick up by Friday” or “available before moving date.”

This method is free, eco-friendly, and helps the furniture get a second life instead of ending up in the landfill.

Option 3: Donate It to a Local Charity

If your items are in good condition, donation is another excellent choice. In Los Angeles, several charities accept furniture, including:

• Goodwill (check local branch guidelines)

• The Salvation Army – may offer free pickup depending on ZIP code

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore

• St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

Keep in mind that not all organizations accept every type of furniture. For example, most do not accept mattresses due to health regulations. Sofas and tables may be accepted depending on the material and cleanliness.

If your schedule allows, donating before your move helps you declutter and make a positive community impact.

2. When Furniture Is Damaged or in Poor Condition

Sometimes the furniture is just too worn, stained, or broken to keep or donate. In those cases, you’ll need to look into disposal options.

We typically offer three main solutions depending on what works best for each customer.

Option A: Call a Junk Removal Company

If you don’t have much time before your move, hiring a junk removal service can be the simplest solution. They’ll pick up old couches, mattresses, and bulky items right from your curb or home.

However, pricing in Los Angeles varies based on item volume and truckload size, so always request a quote beforehand.

The pros: fast, hands-off service.
The cons: higher cost per item compared to city pickup or self-hauling.

Option B: SQ Moving Can Move Items to Your Dumpster Area

This option is available on your moving day if you’ve already hired us. We can move your old furniture to your property’s dumpster area or designated pickup zone only if your building management allows it.

We always advise customers to ask their building manager first — many Los Angeles complexes have strict rules about leaving bulky items near dumpsters or in common areas.

This choice is convenient and low-cost, but requires that management approves it.

Option C: Schedule a City of Los Angeles Bulky-Item Pickup

If your building doesn’t allow dumpster placement, you can use the City of Los Angeles Sanitation Department’s bulky-item pickup program. It’s free for city residents.

You’ll need to:

1. Visit lacitysan.org or call 1-800-773-2489

2. Provide your address and item details

3. Choose a pickup date (usually within a week)

4. Leave the item curbside on the scheduled morning

This is a great option for mattresses, dressers, tables, or small furniture pieces — as long as you plan ahead before your moving day.

Option D: Disposal at a Public Facility (Most Expensive)

If you have a large quantity of items — say a full apartment’s worth of furniture to dispose — we can haul them to a public disposal facility.

However, this option adds time and cost:

• We must drive to the facility and unload everything.

• You pay for labor, drive time, and disposal fees.

• In 2025, the average fee for Los Angeles furniture disposal is around $110 per ton.

This makes sense only if you’re clearing out multiple large pieces or an entire estate. For smaller loads, city pickup or donation will be more cost-effective.

3. Most Common Items People Want to Dispose of

From our experience at SQ Moving Company, the most frequently requested items for unwanted furniture removal in Los Angeles are:

• Mattresses: Due to hygiene rules, most donation centers will not accept them. The city’s bulky-item pickup is usually the best route.

• Couches and sectionals: May be accepted by some charities if clean and not damaged. Otherwise, can go with junk removal or public disposal.

• Dressers, desks, and tables: Often in decent shape — ideal for donation or resale.

• Appliances: Washers, dryers, refrigerators, or microwaves can sometimes be repurposed or recycled for parts.

If you’re unsure whether your item can be reused or must be trashed, send us a photo and we’ll give you an honest recommendation.

💡 Tip: If you plan to keep your bed and move it to your new home, make sure to protect it properly — check out our detailed guide on how to pack and move a mattress for safe and efficient transport.

4. Cost Breakdown: What to Expect in 2025

Here’s a quick overview of what disposal options typically cost in Los Angeles in 2025:

5. Our SQ Moving Disposal Checklist

To make sure your move goes smoothly, follow this simple pre-move checklist:

1. Identify unwanted items early. Do this at least one week before your move date.

2. Decide if it’s reusable or trash. This helps you choose donation vs disposal.

3. Take clear photos. Useful for donations, selling, or showing our team.

4. Ask your building manager about dumpster or loading-area rules.

5. Schedule city pickup if you plan to use L.A. Sanitation.

6. Tell your movers in advance. So we can plan for extra loading/unloading time if needed.

7. Label items clearly — “keep,” “move,” “dispose,” or “donate.”

6. Eco-Friendly Furniture Disposal Tips

Los Angeles is one of the most sustainability-minded cities in the U.S. If you want to reduce landfill waste, consider:

• Upcycling: A quick paint job or reupholstery can give old furniture new life.

• Recycling wood or metal parts: Some recycling centers accept furniture frames or appliances.

• Freecycle groups: Join “Freecycle Los Angeles” online — a local network where residents give away usable items for free.

• Furniture banks: These nonprofits accept gently used furniture to support families in need.

Even a small effort to recycle or donate helps reduce waste and keeps your move eco-friendly.

7. Real Stories from SQ Moving Customers

We’ve helped hundreds of customers handle unwanted furniture responsibly.

Here are a few examples:

• Gifted washer and dryer: A customer moving to a new building that already had appliances. They offered them to us, and one of our movers took them home for his family. Win-win!

• Old couch disposal: Another client had a large sectional that couldn’t fit in their new home. We moved it next to the property dumpster with manager approval, saving them a junk removal fee.

• Entire apartment clean-out: A family relocating out of state needed full furniture disposal. We hauled everything to a public facility and handled the $110-per-ton disposal process, making it stress-free for them.

Stories like these show that each situation is unique — and with a bit of planning, there’s always a solution that fits your budget and schedule.

8. What Not to Do

Avoid these common mistakes when dealing with old furniture:

• Don’t leave items on sidewalks without scheduling pickup — L.A. has strict dumping fines.

• Don’t assume donation centers accept all items (especially mattresses).

• Don’t forget to check your lease — some buildings charge fees for leaving items behind.

• Don’t wait until moving day to decide — you’ll end up paying rush fees or wasting time.

A few days of planning can save hundreds of dollars and hours of frustration.

9. Why Choose SQ Moving Company for Furniture Disposal Assistance

At SQ Moving Company, we’ve been helping Los Angeles residents move, pack, and declutter for over a decade. Our fully licensed and insured crews know how to handle every part of the moving process — including furniture disposal assistance.

Here’s why locals trust us:

• We handle both moving and removal logistics in one trip.

• We’re transparent about costs and offer honest recommendations.

• We can coordinate with your building or donation center if needed.

• We provide protective supplies (blankets, straps, dollies) for safe item handling.

• We’re local — based right here in Los Angeles — so we know city rules and pickup schedules.

Whether you’re moving across town or decluttering a storage unit, our team can help plan and execute everything from start to finish.

10. Final Thoughts: Make Furniture Disposal Part of Your Moving Plan

Dealing with old furniture doesn’t have to be stressful. By understanding your disposal and donation options, you’ll make your moving day smoother, cheaper, and more environmentally responsible.

If you’re scheduling a move in Los Angeles and need guidance on unwanted furniture removal, contact SQ Moving Company — we’ll walk you through all your options, from city pickups to eco-friendly drop-offs, and help you decide what works best for your situation.

Call us today at 213-984-5262 or visit sqmoving.com to book your move and discuss your furniture disposal needs. We’ll make sure everything — from your new furniture to your old couch — ends up exactly where it should.