Memory foam mattress topper Don't Just Throw Out Y

There are many donation agencies across the country that you can donate a mattress to. So, instead of adding to a local landfill with your mattress, you really could do something good with it (and something good for the environment). What's that old saying - "One man's trash is another man's treasure"? Well, this is a prime example of that. Typically, if your mattress is still in reasonable shape, with no noticeable stains or structural problems, then many organizations will take the mattress donation. Most donation agencies refer to them as 'gently used' mattresses. Many of them will even arrange to pick up the mattress donation from you! Some agencies will not take one without the mattress foundation, so you'll have to clear that up with them prior to the mattress donation. If you buy a new mattress, and they offer free mattress pick up (where they typically discard the old mattress), try the donation route first with your old mattress. Just think, by doing something kind like donating a mattress, it just might help you sleep better at night!

Agencies to consider for your mattress donation:

• National Furniture Bank Association
• Furniture Banks Across America partnered with National Furniture Bank Association
• Catholic Charities
• Vietnam Veteran's of America (depending on the location, some VVA's will not accept mattress donations, but others will.. think it all depends on that chapter's policy and the condition and cleanliness of the mattress)
• Local homeless or battered women's shelters
• The Hope Clinic in Fairfax, VA serves local uninsured families with medical, spiritual and emotional needs. Many of the families come to them with very little finances and most have inadequate living necessities. So, if you're in the Washington, DC area, please consider this great organization for a mattress or other donation.
• DonationTown.Org

Larger organizations like Salvation Army and Habitat for Humanity typically will not accept mattress donations due to sanitary bedding law and hygienic concerns. I have had experience with a few Salvation Army locations that you can donate a mattress to, however, if the mattress doesn't have any spots or stains, so you'll have to call and see what their criteria are for each location.

Other ideas to consider are: posting to your local Craigslist.org or Freecycle.org website (let them know you're not selling it, and are willing to give it away if they pick it up, but be clear with your description of the mattress, i.e., any stains, structural problems, etc., and provide a picture of the mattress if you have it); posting flyers at local schools/universities; and, post on your Facebook page, you may have a friend locally that you could donate a mattress to..

Now, before you go throwing your existing mattress away or trying to donate your mattress (great thought, though..) because it isn't comfortable anymore, there are ways to improve the comfort quality of your mattress.. CONSIDER THIS: Memory foam topper pads, both in memory foam and latex form, are a great way to improve the comfort and therapeutic value of an aging mattress.. If your mattress is still in good condition (i.e., still relatively firm and even, with no dips or a hammock feel) then a topper pad can really extend the life of your mattress out for years, by giving you a supportive, body conforming material that really does help improve sleep, comfort and therapeutic levels.. They typically come in 2 to 3 inch thicknesses (sometimes 1 and 4 inches are sold), and depending on your size (typically someone who is over 190 lbs would require a 3 inch topper pad; anyone below that weight should go with a 2 inch topper pad) varying thicknesses are needed.

Sometimes, if you have a sagging mattress, the problem can be the mattress foundation. So, by placing a board (1/4" to 1/2" thick pressboard or plywood) over your existing mattress foundation, this can (but is not always a solution) make your mattress perform better, and reduce the sagging issue.. You can pick these up at Lowes or Home Depot, and have them cut the wood/board to size for you. I would recommend you cutting the wood at least and inch short on width and length, so you don't have any wood protrusions.. If this doesn't work, purchasing a new mattress foundation could extend the life of your mattress, and improve the comfort quality of your existing mattress. If it's a foam mattress (memory foam or latex), you'll need a solid, uniform bottom foundation for this type of mattress (examples below right on Amazon.Com)..