The Boxing Day deal was too good to pass up. The new sectional arrived, the new mattress is on the bed, and the new TV is on the wall. Now the old couch is in the garage, the old mattress is leaning against the basement wall, and the old TV is sitting in its spot on the floor, waiting for a plan.
That plan is old furniture removal, and it is one of the most common reasons Calgarians call us in January. The holidays are when people upgrade, and early January is when the old items start getting in the way. Most of them are too big for your vehicle and too bulky for regular garbage collection.
At Calgary Junk Removal, we pick up the couches, mattresses, TVs and appliances you replaced over the holidays, usually all in one trip. This guide goes item by item through what to do with each one, why bundling them into a single pickup saves money, what can be donated or recycled, and how to get it all gone this week.
What to Do With the Things You Replaced, Item by Item
The Old Couch the New Sectional Replaced
New sectionals are one of the most popular Boxing Day buys, which means a lot of old sofas, loveseats and recliners end up parked in Calgary garages every January. Couches are heavy, awkward to carry, and usually too long for a car or SUV.
Our crew carries the old couch out from wherever it is, including basements, upper floors and condos, and loads it for you. Sleeper sofas, reclining sofas and sectionals are no problem. If the new couch is being delivered on a set date, we can often time the old couch removal for the same day or the day before so you never have two couches in one room. For more detail, see our guide to couch removal in Calgary or our furniture removal page.
The Old Mattress and Box Spring
A new mattress leaves the old one behind, often along with a box spring and sometimes a bed frame. Mattresses are one of the hardest household items to get rid of on your own. They are floppy, heavy and hard to grip, and the City of Calgary’s regular curbside garbage collection will not take them without special arrangements.
We pick up twin, double, queen and king mattresses, plus box springs, memory foam and hybrid mattresses, and bed frames. If you upgraded more than one bed, they can all go in the same trip. Learn more on our mattress removal page.
The Old TV and Electronics
TVs are a holiday favourite, and the old one rarely goes anywhere useful. Many people move it to the basement “just in case,” where it sits for years. Electronics also should not go in your household garbage, because they contain materials that need to be recycled properly.
We take televisions of all sizes, along with the other electronics that tend to get replaced at the same time: game consoles, speakers and stereos, computers, monitors, printers and DVD players. See our electronics page, or read more about e-waste disposal in Calgary.
The Old Fridge, Washer or Dryer
Holiday appliance sales are a common time to replace a tired fridge, stove, dishwasher, washer or dryer. Some retailers will take the old appliance when they deliver the new one, but not all do, and many charge for it or only take the exact item being replaced.
We remove fridges, freezers, stoves, ovens, dishwashers, washers, dryers and microwaves, including units in basements, laundry rooms and tight spaces. Fridges and freezers are processed at approved facilities so their refrigerants are handled safely, and metal components are recycled. If it is safe to do so, disconnect the appliance before we arrive. See our appliance removal page for the full list.
Everything Else That Came Out With the Upgrade
New items have a way of exposing old ones. Once the new couch is in, the old coffee table looks tired. Once the new bed is set up, the old dresser does not match. We can take those too, along with old dining sets, desks, bookshelves, exercise equipment, and the mountain of boxes and packaging the new items arrived in.
Why One Pickup Beats Several Trips
It is tempting to deal with each old item as it comes up: the couch this week, the mattress when the new one arrives, the TV whenever you get around to it. But booking everything into one pickup almost always costs less and takes less of your time.
You Pay for Space, Not for Each Item
Our pricing is based on how much space your items take up in the truck, with labour, loading and disposal included. Bigger loads cost less per cubic foot, so adding items to one pickup is cheaper than booking them separately.
Load size | Approx. volume | Price |
Extra small | 3 ft x 3 ft x 3 ft | $125 |
Small | 3 ft x 8 ft x 5 ft | $220 |
Medium | 6 ft x 8 ft x 5 ft | $330 |
Large | 9 ft x 8 ft x 5 ft | $475 |
Extra large | 10 ft x 8 ft x 5 ft | $550 |
Full load | 12 ft x 8 ft x 5 ft | $675 |
For example, booking an old couch, a mattress set and a fridge as three separate small pickups would cost $660. A medium load holds twice as much as a small load for $330, and a large load holds three times as much for $475. The more you bundle, the further your money goes.
One Day Off the Calendar
Every separate pickup means another booking, another day of keeping the driveway clear, and another few weeks of the item sitting in your garage. One visit gets it all done.
Your Garage Gets Its Space Back
In a Calgary January, garage space matters. Clearing everything at once means you can park inside again before the next cold snap instead of scraping your windshield every morning while an old couch sits in your parking spot.
A Quick Bundling Checklist
Before you book, walk through the house and look for:
– The items you replaced over the holidays
– Furniture that no longer matches the new pieces
– Old mattresses, box springs or bed frames in spare rooms
– Old TVs and electronics stashed in the basement
– Broken or unused appliances in the garage
– Boxes and packaging from new deliveries
Donate or Recycle: Where Your Old Items Go
Just because you replaced something does not mean it is garbage. Many items people upgrade over the holidays still work perfectly well. We sort every load so usable items get a second life and recyclable materials are recovered, following our donation commitment.
Item | Often donated when | Recycled when it can’t be donated |
Couch or sectional | Clean, no tears, stains, odours, pet damage or pests, with a solid frame | Metal springs, steel recliner or sleeper mechanisms and wood frames are separated where possible |
Mattress and box spring | Clean, in good condition, with no stains, tears or pests | Steel springs, foam and fabric are recycled where possible |
TV and electronics | Working, with all parts, cords and remotes | Recycled through proper electronics recycling channels |
Fridge, washer, dryer or stove | Working and in good condition | Metal recycled; fridges and freezers processed at approved facilities for safe refrigerant handling |
Other furniture | Sturdy, clean and complete | Wood and metal recovered where possible |
How to Tell if Your Old Item Can Be Donated
A simple rule: if you would be comfortable giving it to a friend, it is probably donatable. If it is broken, stained, smells, or has been sitting in a damp basement or cold garage for a long time, it is more likely headed for recycling.
You do not need to make that call yourself. Our crew assesses each item at pickup and routes it to the right place, so you only have to point at what is leaving.
Why Not Just Leave It in the Back Alley?
It happens every January: old couches and mattresses left out by the garage with a “free” sign. In a Calgary winter, they get snowed on, freeze, soak through and become unusable within days, and they can create problems with neighbours or the City. A quick pickup is the faster and more responsible option.
How to Get Your Old Items Picked Up This Week
– Snap a photo. Take a quick picture of each item, or one photo of the pile in the garage. Upload it through our quote request form or call us.
– Get an upfront quote. We tell you the price before anything is moved, with no hidden fees.
– Pick your time. Choose a time that works, or book online. We are available Monday to Saturday, 8 am to 7 pm.
– We carry it out. Our crew removes everything from wherever it is: the garage, the basement, the bedroom or the condo hallway. No need to drag anything to the curb.
– We sort it. Items are donated, recycled or disposed of responsibly based on their condition.
Same-Day Pickup
Same-day pickup is available, depending on our schedule. If your new furniture is arriving soon or your garage is packed, call in the morning for the best chance at a same-day slot.
We serve all of Calgary, along with nearby communities.
Quick Prep Before Pickup
– Strip bedding off old mattresses and check couch cushions for keys, remotes and change
– Unplug and empty fridges and freezers, and disconnect washers and dryers if it is safe to do so
– Unplug TVs and electronics, and wipe any computers or devices with personal data
– Clear snow and ice from the driveway and walkways so the crew can carry items safely
– Mark anything in the garage or basement that is staying
Old Furniture Removal FAQ
How do I get rid of my old couch after buying a new one?
Book a pickup and our crew carries the old couch out of your home, loads it and hauls it away. Send a photo for a quote, and we can often time the removal around your new couch delivery.
Will you pick up an old mattress in Calgary?
Yes. We remove mattresses of every size, from twin to king, along with box springs and bed frames. Mattresses in good condition may be donated, and the rest are recycled where possible.
How do I dispose of an old TV in Calgary?
Old TVs should not go in household garbage. We pick up TVs of any size and send them for proper electronics recycling, or donation if they still work.
Do you remove old fridges, washers and dryers?
Yes. We remove fridges, freezers, stoves, dishwashers, washers, dryers and microwaves, including from basements and tight spaces. Fridges and freezers are processed at approved facilities so refrigerants are handled safely.
Can you take everything in one trip?
Yes, and it is usually the most cost-effective option. Our pricing is based on volume, so bundling several items into one load costs less than booking them separately.
How much does old furniture removal cost?
Pricing starts at $125 for an extra small load, such as a single appliance or piece of furniture, and goes up to $675 for a full truck. Labour, loading and disposal are included. Send a photo for an exact quote.
Can you pick up my old items the same day?
Same-day pickup is available, depending on our schedule. Call in the morning for the best chance at a same-day appointment.
Do I need to move items to the curb?
No. We remove items from inside your home, garage or basement.
New Couch for Christmas? We’ll Take the Old One
The new stuff is in. Now it is time for the old stuff to go. Calgary Junk Removal picks up the couches, mattresses, TVs and appliances you replaced over the holidays, all in one trip, with upfront pricing and responsible donation and recycling.
Call 403-714-5865, send a photo through our quote request form, or book online. Ready to clear more than a few items? Read about a full house cleanout to start the year with a clear home.
