How to Get Rid of a Couch or Old Furniture in Houston, TX

✓ Last verified October 29, 2026 against official Houston, Texas and retailer sources. See sources.

Quick answer

Houston heavy trash collection takes household furniture like couches, tables and dressers. It runs every other month, in even-numbered months, so the next one is December 2026.
Set it out between 6 p.m. the Friday before and 7 a.m. on your collection day, just behind the curb line. Look up your day with the city's service lookup or the HTX App.
Can't wait? Take it to one of six free Residential Drop-Off Centers (Tue–Sat 9 a.m.–6 p.m., up to two large furniture items per visit). Bring a Texas ID and a City of Houston utility bill or lease.

Illustration of an old, worn three-seat couch

Your options in Houston

Curbside heavy trash collection Free

Heavy trash is collected every other month (February, April, June, August, October and December) for occupied residential units that get City curbside service, up to six collections a year. It isn't available to buildings with more than eight units. Household furniture, mattresses and box springs are on the accepted junk waste list. Don't mix in electronics, paint or chemicals; if authorized and unauthorized items are mixed, the whole pile may be refused.

Set-out window: Between 6:00 p.m. the Friday before and 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day
Placement: Just behind the curb line, not in the street or on the sidewalk, and not under wires, signs or mailboxes
Volume limit: 8 cubic yards per set-out (about the size of a minivan)

Source: City of Houston SWMD – Heavy Trash Collection

Residential Drop-Off Centers Free

Houston runs six Residential Drop-Off Centers. The city's drop-off center page lists mattresses under accepted bulk items, along with furniture (limit two large items such as couches). They're open Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday, and you can use them up to four times a month (once a week). Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing. You unload your own items. The city's two pages differ on proof of address: one asks for a Texas ID or a City of Houston utility bill or lease, the other for both, with matching addresses. Bring both to be safe.

North: 9003 N Main, 77022
Northwest: 14400 Sommermeyer, 77041
Northeast: 5565 Kirkpatrick, 77028
Southeast: 2240 Central Street, 77017
South: 5100 Sunbeam, 77033
Southwest: 10785 SW Freeway, 77074
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday
Limit: Up to 4 visits a month (once a week)

Sources: City of Houston SWMD – Residential Drop-Off Centers (hours, rules, accepted items); City of Houston SWMD – Residential Drop-Off Centers; City of Houston SWMD – Heavy Trash Collection

Old worn fabric couch left on the sidewalk in front of brick row houses — Old couches & furniture: check the Houston rules above before you set anything out or drive it to a drop-off.

Don't do this

Don't put a couch in the street or on the sidewalk.
Don't set it out before 6 p.m. the Friday before your heavy trash day.
Don't mix electronics, paint or chemicals into the pile. The city may refuse all of it.

Or pay someone to haul it

If you can't get it to a drop-off site, or can't wait for city pickup, a junk-removal service can take it from inside your home. Prices depend on the company, your location and the size of the load, so get a quote first. Ask whether they recycle or donate items and whether they follow Houston's rules, especially for electronics and paint. Another option is to hire moving helpers by the hour: they do the lifting, and with a truck they can drive it to a drop-off site. They move it where you tell them, so pick a legal destination from this guide.

Rather not haul it? See prices for pickup help in the Houston area

Someone else does the lifting for your couch. You choose the day and where it goes.

Two helpers carrying an old couch down a front walk to a pickup truck

Hourly helpers + truck

Hourly movers/helpers with a truck, you direct the job: they carry it out and drive it where you say. Not a junk-removal company.
See prices & book helpers
HireAHelper lists independent moving helpers paid by the hour. It is not a junk-removal company: they move it where you tell them, so pick a legal drop-off from this guide. Prices depend on your job, and any drop-off fee is separate.

Sponsored link: we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you. Disclosure.

Frequently asked questions

When is heavy trash pickup in Houston?

Every other month, in February, April, June, August, October and December. Look up your assigned day with the city's service lookup tool or the HTX App.

Can I drop off a couch in Houston?

Yes. The city's six Residential Drop-Off Centers take furniture for free (limit two large items such as couches), Tuesday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Bring a Texas ID and a City of Houston utility bill or lease.

Sources

All checked on October 29, 2026. Rules, hours and fees change, so confirm with the source before you go.