That 10-year-old couch seemed worth moving until you calculated costs: $100 to move it, but replacement costs $400 at IKEA. Now you're stuck with 200 pounds of furniture nobody wants, pickup services quoting $150, and moving day approaching fast. Here's every legal way to get rid of your couch in Los Angeles, ranked from free to expensive, fastest to slowest.
Free Couch Removal Options
LA Sanitation Bulk Pickup (FREE, 1-2 weeks):Best option for city residents. Schedule at MyLA311.lacity.org or call 1-800-773-2489. Place couch at curb night before. They take up to 4 items. Cannot be blocked by cars.
Wait times:
- Regular season: 7-10 days
- Peak moving season: 2-3 weeks
- After holidays: 3-4 weeks
"Free" Section Success (FREE, 0-3 days):
Craigslist Free:Post with photos. Title: "FREE COUCH - FIRST COME - CURB ALERT"Gone in: 2-48 hours usually
Facebook Marketplace:List as free. Reaches neighbors quickly.Success rate: 70% within 3 days
Nextdoor:"Free couch, must go today!"Best for: Same neighborhood pickup
Key to success: Good photos, honest description, "first come first served," location visible.
Donation Options (Sometimes Free Pickup)
Who actually takes couches:
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
- Condition: Excellent only
- Pickup: Free for multiple items
- Call: (323) 989-4092
- Reality: Reject 80% of couches
Out of the Closet
- Condition: Good, no stains
- Pickup: Sometimes free
- Multiple locations in LA
- Benefit: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Salvation Army
- Pickup: Hit or miss
- Call: (800) SA-TRUCK
- Scheduling: 2-3 weeks out
- Often cancel last minute
Reality check: Most charities reject used couches. Bed bugs fear, stains, wear. Don't count on donation.
Sell for Removal Price
Price to move strategy:Your couch worth $500? List for $50. Buyer handles removal. You avoid disposal costs.
Where to list:
- Facebook Marketplace: Fastest
- OfferUp: Local buyers
- Craigslist: Still works
- Nextdoor: Neighbors
Magic words: "Priced to move today!" "Must go by [date]" "You haul"
Success rate: 60% if priced right
Paid Removal Services
Junk haulers:
- 1-800-GOT-JUNK: $129-189 (same day)
- College Hunks: $100-150
- LoadUp: $79-129
- TaskRabbit: $50-100
What's included:
- They lift/carry
- Same or next day
- Stairs no problem
- Multiple items possible
Hidden costs: Minimum charges apply. One couch costs same as three.
The Apartment Dumpster Dilemma
Legal? Usually no.Risk: $500 fine, angry managementReality: People do it anyway
If you must:
- Break down first
- Late night/early morning
- Not all at once
- Mix with regular trash
Better option: Ask management about bulk disposal days
DIY Disposal Routes
Rent truck, drive to landfill:
- U-Haul: $29.95 + mileage
- Landfill fee: $35-50
- Gas: $20
- Your time: 3 hours
- Total: $100+
Locations accepting couches:
- Calabasas Landfill
- Scholl Canyon Landfill
- Southeast Resource Recovery
Must show LA residency.
Breaking Down for Regular Trash
Tools needed:
- Reciprocating saw: $40
- Box cutter
- Screwdriver
- 2 hours patience
Process:
- Remove cushions (trash bag)
- Cut fabric (trash bag)
- Disassemble frame (regular trash)
- Cut foam (multiple bags)
- Spread over 2-3 weeks
Legal but exhausting.
Special Circumstances
Bed bugs/infested:
- MUST wrap completely in plastic
- Mark "BED BUGS" clearly
- Special pickup required
- Costs $200-400
- Illegal to donate/give away
Leather couches:
- Harder to donate (smell issues)
- Recycling centers sometimes interested
- Upholstery shops might want leather
Sleeper sofas:
- Extra heavy (contains bed frame)
- Most expensive to remove
- Scrap metal value inside
Timing Your Disposal
Start early:
- 3 weeks before: Try selling
- 2 weeks before: Schedule free pickup
- 1 week before: List as free
- 3 days before: Call junk haulers
- Day before: Panic options
Don't wait until moving day.
Illegal Disposal Penalties
Street dumping: $500-1,500 fineAlley dumping: $500 fine + cleanup costsOther's dumpster: Trespassing chargesVacant lot: Criminal prosecution possible
LA has cameras everywhere. You will get caught.
Couch Conditions Nobody Wants
Automatic rejections:
- Pet damage/smell
- Visible stains
- Torn fabric
- Broken frame
- Cigarette burns
- Missing cushions
- Bed bugs ever
If yours has these, go straight to paid removal.
The "Moving Sale" Strategy
Three days before moving:
- Everything must go sale
- Couch priced at $25
- "Free if you take today"
- Usually works
People buy things at moving sales they'd never buy otherwise.
City-Specific Rules
Beverly Hills: Free bulk pickup monthlySanta Monica: Call for appointmentBurbank: $37 pickup feeGlendale: Online scheduling requiredPasadena: Twice yearly freeLong Beach: Call (562) 570-2876
Check your specific city website.
Environmental Options
Couch recycling exists:
- Wood frame: Recyclable
- Metal springs: Valuable
- Foam: Sometimes recyclable
- Fabric: Usually landfill
DR Mattress Recycling:Also takes couches. $45-80 pickup.
Emergency Day-Before Options
Out of time?
- LoadUp app (same day, $79+)
- TaskRabbit (2-hour response)
- Craigslist "gigs" section
- College kids + $50 cash
- Include in moving costs
Ask movers: "Extra $50 to take couch to dump?" Some agree.
Cost-Benefit Analysis
Cost to move couch: $50-100Cost to dispose: $0-150New couch delivered: $400+Your back health: Priceless
Usually cheaper to dispose and buy new.
Make the Decision
Calculate: Moving cost + old couch value vs disposal cost + new couch price. Most discover disposal wins. That 10-year-old couch already gave you its value.
SOS Moving focuses on items worth moving. We'll transport your couch if needed, but honestly? Use that truck space for things that matter. Start fresh.
Call 909-443-0004 to discuss your move without that old couch. We'll help calculate if moving or disposing makes sense. Sometimes the best moving strategy is leaving things behind.
.jpg)
