How to Get Rid of a Mattress in Houston, TX

✓ Last verified October 21, 2026 against official Houston, Texas and retailer sources. See sources.

Quick answer

  • Houston heavy trash pickup accepts mattresses and box springs for eligible homes with City curbside service.
  • Heavy trash is collected every other month on your assigned day. Look up your date with the city's service lookup tool or the HTX app.
  • Between pickups, you can take a mattress to a Residential Drop-Off Center with proof of address.

Your options in Houston

Curbside heavy trash collection Free

The city collects heavy trash every other month for eligible addresses that receive City curbside service, up to six collections per calendar year. Its junk waste list includes "mattresses and box springs." Service is limited to occupied residential units and isn't available to multi-residential buildings with more than eight units. In March 2026 the city put a planned switch to on-demand pickup on hold. On October 2, 2026, Houston Public Works said collection is still scheduled every other month.

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 in front of your home, not in the street or on the sidewalk, and not under wires, signs or mailboxes
Volume limit
Maximum 8 cubic yards per set-out (the city says about the size of a minivan)
Mixed piles
If authorized and unauthorized items are mixed, the entire pile may be refused

Sources: City of Houston SWMD – Heavy Trash Collection; KPRC 2 – City says heavy trash system has not changed (Oct. 2, 2026)

Residential Drop-Off Centers Free

Houston runs six Residential Drop-Off Centers for bulk items. A 2024 city notice listed mattresses among the items these depositories accept. The current drop-off page lists the locations but not item lists or hours, so check with 311 before you go. To drop off bulk waste, the city requires a current Texas-issued ID plus a current City of Houston utility bill or lease, and the addresses must match.

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
Not listed on the current city page. Check with the city (311) before you go.

Sources: City of Houston SWMD – Residential Drop-Off Centers; City of Houston – Neighborhood Depository notice (Oct. 31, 2024); City of Houston SWMD – proof of address requirements (ESC page)

Don't do this

  • Don't put a mattress in the street or on the sidewalk, or set it out before 6 p.m. the Friday before your heavy trash day.
  • Don't mix household hazardous waste or electronics into your heavy trash pile, or the whole pile may be refused.

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.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Houston pick up mattresses?

Yes. Mattresses and box springs are on the city's accepted junk waste list for heavy trash collection, which runs every other month for eligible homes with City curbside service.

When is my heavy trash day in Houston?

Each residence has an assigned day. The city says to look it up with its online service lookup tool or the HTX app.

I live in an apartment complex. Will the city take my mattress?

City heavy trash collection isn't available to multi-residential structures with more than eight units. Ask your property manager how bulk items are handled.

Can I drop off a mattress instead of waiting for heavy trash?

The city lets residents use Residential Drop-Off Centers between heavy trash months, with a Texas ID and a matching City of Houston utility bill or lease. Confirm current hours and accepted items with 311 first.

Sources

All checked on October 21, 2026. Rules, hours and fees change, so confirm with the source before you go.

  1. City of Houston SWMD – Heavy Trash Collection
  2. City of Houston SWMD – Residential Drop-Off Centers
  3. City of Houston SWMD – proof of address requirements (ESC page)
  4. City of Houston – Neighborhood Depository notice (Oct. 31, 2024)
  5. KPRC 2 – City says heavy trash system has not changed (Oct. 2, 2026)