There are things even your best friends don’t want to do with and for you — like help you move furniture. Luckily, there are many options for free furniture removal if you know where to check. So let someone else do the heavy lifting from here on out. No more bending at the waist for you!
Whether you’re upgrading to a new set, or are simply sick of extra furniture junking up your space, there are plenty of organizations willing — no, excited — to come to pick up your furniture for free. Here’s a list of some of the most reputable and reliable such groups.
1. Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA)
VVA can’t haul off that broken piano, but the non-profit organization is a perfect choice for people who need small furniture hauled away for free. If it isn’t too heavy for one person to carry, it’s fair game for this group, dedicated to helping Vietnam veterans and others who serve in harm’s way.
VVA operates in most states, and they make it super easy to schedule a donation pickup online. You can also get to VVA by way of their Pick Up Please site. While you’re at it, toss in a bag of old clothes because the group really needs them.
2. Out of the Closet Thrift Stores
This organization accepts furniture donations of all sizes, which are then sold at the group’s thrift stores scattered across the country. Funds raised provide support for people dealing with HIV/AIDS, including housing services, free testing and on-site pharmacies.
Visit their site to check if they do free furniture removal in your area, and to schedule a free pickup.
3. Furniture Bank
Through a donation of gently used furniture to one of the many organizations in Furniture Bank’s online directory, you’re helping to send pieces to families that need it to get back on their feet. This network of charities and social groups is liberally smattered across North America, and free furniture removal is easily scheduled through the group’s website, provided there’s one in your area.
4. Habitat for Humanity
Made famous by former President Jimmy Carter, Habitat for Humanity is well known for building homes for people in need. Even if you’re not too handy with a hammer you can make a difference with this group by donating furniture to the Habitat ReStore.
Local Habitat groups operate these independently-owned stores, and proceeds from any sales help to further Habitat’s mission. Check with your local Habitat ReStore to find out exactly what type of furniture they’ll pick up for free.
Most are happy to swing by and snag sofas, chairs, dressers, dining room tables, bed frames, decorative tables (end tables and coffee tables), bookcases, filing cabinets and entertainment centers. Habitat will not accept upholstered and leather items with tears, pet damage or stains.
5. The Salvation Army
If you prefer to donate to a dedicated Christian organization, the Salvation Army probably fits the bill. In addition to advancing the tenets of the Christian religion, the organization encourages education and poverty relief, among other causes. It’s a cinch to schedule a furniture pickup online. Plus, they offer a pretty cool donation value guide, which is helpful for people wondering how much they can claim in terms of tax deductions for the wide variety of furniture they accept.
6. Goodwill
Goodwill’s major objective is to help people who have serious employment barriers, such as disabilities, government support recipients, those with limited or no work history and people who’ve lost jobs due to downsizing. Proceeds from Goodwill stores help the group to train and place these people into jobs, hopefully permanently!
Most Goodwill donations take place on-site, but they usually will arrange pickup for large, difficult-to-move items, such as furniture. To determine if that’s an option, find your local Goodwill and contact them directly.
7. Donation Town
If you don’t have time to check all the charities to see if they’re in your area, turn instead to Donation Town. This site functions nationwide and connects people with local charities that will pick up furniture and other donations for free. Simply visit their site to schedule a free donation pickup by a vetted local charity!
8. American Veterans (AMVETS)
This decades-old group helps veterans obtain the benefits they’re entitled to. Although they have shops around the country, their pickup service is currently only available in Maryland, Washington D.C., Northern Virginia, Delaware, Texas and Oklahoma. Furniture isn’t a guaranteed pick-up, but the organization encourages people to inquire if they have a piece or two to donate.
9. The Arc
Historically speaking, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) have been woefully ignored by society. The Arc endeavors to give these people and their families the tools they need to fully participate in community life, despite their unique challenges.
Many of The Arc’s hundreds of chapters happily accept donated items to sell in their thrift shops, including furniture. If you have something to donate contact your local chapter directly to see if they do pick-ups.
10. Green Drop
This east coast-based non-profit is more than happy to pick up furniture weighing less than 50 pounds. For example, coffee tables, lamps, nightstands, end tables, rocking chairs, wooden chairs and stools. Simply visit their site to schedule a pickup!
Funds raised through the sale of these items generate big bucks for the organizations they support, including the American Red Cross, the Military Order of the Purple Heart, the National Federation of the Blind and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Philadelphia. In 2018 alone, charity proceeds exceeded $3.1 million!
Pat yourself on the back
Come donation day, prevent any hiccups by following the directions the organization provided. Some will have a time frame to stop by, not unlike your local cable provider, whereas others want donations left labeled on the front porch or outside your door.
Consider one of these groups for free furniture removal. Your place is decluttered for free, and everything is also upcycled to help the worthy cause of your choice. Not too shabby!
