What to do with an Old Crib Mattress? 4 Innovative Ideas!
Watching your baby’s crib mattress age signals the end of an era for many parents. However, on the bright side, your baby is now in the toddler stage, marking the transition from a safe and snug sleep space.
But now, the question arises: “What should be done with an old crib mattress?” Are you concerned about contributing to landfill waste or disposing of your old mattress? Release that stress and explore various sustainable ways1 to repurpose an old crib mattress.
For this purpose, being a responsible citizen and mother is as straightforward as following my guide! It will assist you in assessing the mattress’s condition, finding donation opportunities for old mattresses, and providing useful maintenance tips for reusing and repurposing DIY projects.
Table of Contents
Assessing the Condition of the Crib Mattress
How old is your mattress? And are you aware of its exact condition to treat it accordingly?
Typically, an infant requires a crib mattress for the first 12 months and then they usually grow out of it (or sometimes even before that).
I’ve encountered common parenting situations where I wasn’t sure whether to reuse the same mattress for my next baby. Also, how can I use it for my home and should I donate or resell it?
Out of all doubts and self-experiments, I’ve come up with the necessary information to check your mattress condition. Assessing the actual condition helps to decide the right way to use your old mattress.
How to Use an Old Crib Mattress
1. Planning for the next baby
If you plan to use the same mattress for your next baby, it’s essential to prepare a checklist.
Firstly, it should be firm, just as it was when new. No bumps, spills, accidents, or stains should be there. Check if the baby’s mattress is in proper shape (doesn’t sag when you perform a squeeze test). It should be free from cuts, wear and tear, or holes.
And most importantly, it should not be 5 or more years old or kept in poor condition.
If your mattress passes all important checkpoints, your next baby would love to roll on it safely.
If not, keep on reading my guide for alternative ideas.
2. Consider Resale Options
Resell to your family, friends, or in stores. Of course, you can make money out of your old mattress. Being a responsible and ethical citizen, you should resell your baby products only when it’s beneficial for others too.
Babies should sleep on a flat and firm surface for safety. Again, meeting the above checkpoints is necessary to resell easily.
3. Donate to Charity and Shelters.
Donating to people in need is a noble act of humanity!
Ensure your mattress doesn’t have wear and tear, holes, mold, and bends. Mattresses with coils and foams in good condition are more likely to be accepted by charitable organizations/trusts.2
If you find some minor defects or bends, then do the necessary repairs and fixing before donating to the less fortunate. Read below to find trusted donation sites.
4. Reusing and Repurposing for Household Use
Your mattress can breathe and live again!
If the mattress has odor-free stains, clean it thoroughly and ensure the foam and coils are in good condition. Show your craft skills through DIYs. No more boring corners, a toddler bed, pet space, playmat, and swings will complement your house.
Want to know how? Continue further reading.
How and Where to Donate an Old Crib Mattress
Now that you decided to donate your old crib mattress, let’s see how and where to find these non-profit organizations.
However, it’s not an easy task to find charitable communities that accept old mattresses. You can start by approaching local shelters near your area, as they often require baby products.3 Additionally, consider looking into some trusted organizations operating in various cities across the USA:
These charitable trusts typically provide free pick-up services. Simply visit their website, select your city, and indicate the item you wish to donate. Sit back and relax; your mattress will be picked up soon.
Alternatively, you can also sell/donate it to parents in need through Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
How to Reuse and Repurpose an Old Crib Mattress
Let’s get practical! Transform your old mattress into four DIY home furnishing projects.
1. Transform an Old Crib Mattress into a Toddler or Day Bed Mattress
The standard toddler mattress size is the same as a crib mattress: 27 ¼ inches x 51 ⅝ inches.
So, when your baby completes their infant stage they do need a toddler bed. Ensure your mattress meets all safety standards to create a comfortable bed for your little one.
Many cribs—often called convertible cribs—turn into toddler bed frames using the same mattress. See how you designed new furniture without investing a penny!
2. Make a Dog Bed
Pets, especially dogs, hold a special place in our hearts. Why not provide them with a comfortable space too? Place your old mattress on the floor of your pet’s home so they can rest peacefully.
3. Repurpose an Old Crib Mattress into Seating Cushions
Here’s where your DIY enthusiasm shines. Let’s walk through a step-by-step process:
- Cut away the covering fabric if you think it’s stained or worn out. Carefully cut and peel away the fabric covering, taking care not to damage the foam or padding inside.
- Cut the mattress into pieces and shape the cushions to your desired size and shape for your seating area.
- Consider covering the foam cushions with fabric to give them a finished look.
- Measure and cut fabric pieces slightly larger than the cushions to allow for wrapping and stapling.
- Place the foam cushion in the center of the fabric piece, fold the fabric over the edges of the cushion, and secure it.
- Depending on the thickness and density of the mattress foam, add additional support using wool or cotton.
- Once the cushions are covered and secured, arrange them in the seating area according to your preference, ensuring they fit and are comfortable.
Here’s a video that I found on YouTube similar to this idea:
Note: Before cutting or tearing, make sure you have the right equipment. Be careful while doing the DIY to avoid any cuts or accidents.
4. Repurpose an Old Crib Mattress into a Playmat or Build a Swing
Need an aesthetic way to utilize your old mattress?
Use it as a playmat for outdoor sports or create a comfortable and cozy swing.
Search for an empty iron or wooden swing at your home, decorate it with your favorite old mattress, and cover it with sheets and bedding.4
How to Recycle an Old Crib Mattress
If your mattress is no longer in use or has aged significantly, recycling it would be a responsible and compassionate act. Instead of contributing to landfill waste that harms our environment, recycling offers a sustainable solution for a brighter future.
Your city likely operates several recycling programs that accept mattresses, even those with stains, wear and tear, or holes. Some popular sites that provide pickup services include:
- Earth 911
- Bye Bye Mattress
- City recycling programs
Please note: Recycling programs may vary from city to city. Don’t hesitate to ask your friends, family, or colleagues for recommendations—they may be able to assist you effectively.
Tips for Cleaning and Maintaining an Old Crib Mattress
An old crib mattress is prone to easy bacterial infection, molds, and wear and tear. Keeping it fresh for years requires regular cleaning and maintenance.
As a mother of six children, I’ve relied on my four-year-old mattress for my first two babies. Ensuring its firmness, flatness, and hygienic condition was crucial, making my decision to reuse it worthwhile. You can achieve similar results by implementing a consistent maintenance routine.
- Regular cleaning helps to eliminate bacteria, fungus, stains, spills, and odors from the mattress. No matter what, clean an old mattress twice a month.
- Your mattress needs sunlight to refresh! Periodically, keep it in a ventilated area.
- For a long mattress life, start using a mattress protector right away.
- Rotate an old mattress more often than a new one to avoid cuts and maintain stiffness.
You can check out my complete guide on how to clean crib mattresses. Be smart with quick simple tips and save a lot of money!
Conclusion on What to Do with an Old Crib Mattress
Hopefully, I was able to guide you with my experiences.
My method for assessing the mattress’s condition ensures it meets safety standards and remains suitable for various purposes.
For parents considering another baby, ensuring the mattress is firm, undamaged, and less than five years old is crucial. Reselling to friends, family, or through platforms like Craigslist presents an eco-friendly option. Donating to charities or shelters can benefit those in need, provided the mattress is in good condition.
Engaging in DIY projects such as crafting seating cushions, toddler beds, dog beds, or even swings and playmats offers creative ways to repurpose the mattress for household use. Recycling is another responsible option when the mattress is no longer usable.
To successfully donate, resell, reuse, and repurpose the mattress, following my cleaning and maintenance tips will guide you toward achieving your goals.
References and Footnotes: