How to Take Apart a Bed Frame for Disposal

If you’re wondering how to take apart and dispose of a bed frame in the easiest way possible, you’ve come to the right place.

From removing the mattress to disconnecting the bed rails, we’ll walk you through how to take apart your bed frame before disposal, and also include steps for disassembling bunk beds, metal bed frames and adjustable bed frames.

🛏️ Need help getting rid of your bed frame? Our bed frame removal services make it easy and affordable to have your bed frame picked up and hauled away to be disposed of responsibly.

Disassembling & Disposing of Your Bed Frame

When it’s time to get rid of your old bed frame, the first step is to take it apart. Taking apart a bed frame is fairly easy, and only requires a few tools and about 30 minutes of your time.

Taking apart the frame might be a one-person job, but moving the mattress and box springs is much easier when you have a buddy to help you.

So grab your tools and a friend, and let’s get started!

FYI: The steps for how to take apart a metal bed frame and other types are generally the same. While taking apart your old metal bed frame or another type may be tricky, following the steps in the article will help you disassemble any type of bed frame in no time.

Grab Your Tools

If you still have the tools that came with your bed frame, perfect! If not, no problem. You’ll only need a few tools for disassembly, including:

• Pliers
• Screwdriver
• Adjustable wrench
• Allen wrench or hex key
• Rubber mallet or small hammer

If you decide to hang onto your bed frame, make sure to keep the screws in a plastic bag and label everything (masking or painter’s tape and a Sharpie work great) as you take it apart. This will make it much easier to keep track of while in storage or during a move.

Move Mattress & Box Springs

Now it’s time to grab your buddy and move your box springs and mattress off of the bed. Lean each part of the bed against the wall or somewhere out of the way so you can safely work on disassembling your bed frame. If your bed doesn’t have box springs, you can move onto the next step for removing the slats or the platform after removing your mattress.

Remove the Slats or Platform

If your bed doesn’t require a box spring, then your mattress probably sits on a platform or a series of slats. Remove the slats or the platform to expose the bed rails and framework.

Removing the Slats. Slats that are joined together can easily be rolled up and set aside. Slats can be connected to the bed frame with either velcro or screws. Depending on the type of slats your bed uses, you may have to unscrew them from the bed frame before you can remove them.

Removing a Platform. If your bed rests on a platform, make sure to unscrew it from your bed frame before trying to remove it. This step might require a screwdriver or Allen wrench, depending on your bed frame’s hardware.

Disassemble the Bed Frame

Now that you’ve exposed the frame beneath the slats or platform on your bed, it’s time to remove the headboard and footboard.

Take a look at the fasteners that are holding your bed rails to your headboard and footboard. Are they screws? Bolts? Or do you see slits where the headboard and footboard attach to the rails?

If you see slits where your headboard and footboard connect, then use a hammer to knock the rail upwards, and then pull the rail away from the footboard or headboard.

If not, grab the proper tool to remove the hardware, and begin disconnecting each piece, one at a time.

Click to jump to instructions for how to take apart an adjustable bed frame or bunk bed.

Remove the Headboard & Footboard

Start with the footboard since the headboard is generally larger and heavier. Once you have disconnected the footboard from the side rails, pull it away from the bed frame and place it out of the way. Then remove the headboard the same way and move it aside.

Disassemble the Side Rails

If your rails are foldable or connected in some other way, grab your tool(s) and complete the process by removing the rest of the screws or bolts to finish disconnecting the rails.

However, depending on the type of bed you have, disconnecting the headboard and footboard from the rails may have been your final step.

If you still have your manufacturer’s instructions, following their directions for disassembly will be the most efficient way to take apart your adjustable bed frame. You might be able to find your specific bed’s instructions online if you no longer have the paper manual.

🔌 Unplug Power Cord. Before taking apart your adjustable base, unplug the power cord and wrap it up to keep it from getting tangled during disassembly.

Detach the Mattress from the Adjustable Base

If your mattress is connected to the adjustable base, there should be several bolts that are fastening it down. Most adjustable bases are connected with 7/16″ hex head bolts that can be loosened using a 7/16″ socket. Depending on the type of adjustable bed you have, a different tool may be required. Consult your owner’s manual for more detailed instructions, including tools needed for disassembly.

Detach the Legs

If the legs on your bed frame will make moving it out the room difficult or impossible, read on to learn how to detach them from your adjustable base.

Detaching the Legs

1. Loosen legs from the inside near the headboard by turning them counter-clockwise.
2. Keep turning until leg is completely removed.
3. Repeat as needed.

If the legs on your bed frame are short and won’t complicate removing it, don’t worry about detaching them. Your bed frame is now ready to be picked up and hauled away whether you’re moving or getting it picked up for disposal by one of LoadUp’s professional haulers.

Before you can disassemble the bed frames, you need to take apart your bunk beds. Once disconnected, you’ll have to walk through the disassembly instructions for each bed.

1. Consult your owner’s manual to make sure your bunk beds can be safely disconnected.
2. Remove the mattress to expose the slats.
3. Remove the ladder and safety rail. Set aside.
4. Remove the slats or platform. Set aside.
5. Grab a buddy and lift the top bed off and away from the bottom bed.
6. Walk the top bed away from the bottom bed and carefully set it down.
7. Follow the same steps above for taking apart a bed frame.

Don’t let the bulky pieces of a disassembled old bed frame take up space in your attic or basement. When the kids outgrow their bunk beds or you upgrade from a queen to a king mattress and need to make space, easily get rid of your bed frame through a quick pickup.

If you followed our steps to taking apart your old bed frame, we’re confident you got it done quickly and without stress. If you prefer to avoid a trip to drop off bed frames for donation, recycling or disposal, LoadUp is a great way to save yourself a little time.

With LoadUp’s fast and affordable bed frame removal services, you can book fully-insured, background checked pros to haul away frames, side rails, headboards, and footboards from wherever they are, whenever it works for you.

You can also get rid of the old mattress and box springs, too! Simply add box springs and mattress disposal services to your junk removal order when you book online.

🛏 Note: The only kinds of mattresses and box springs we don’t take are ones that have active bed bug infestations or severe waterlogging.

However, if you need more help with your bed frame, we’ve got you covered! LoadUp offers full-service solutions, nationwide. Text us a pic of your items to find pricing for your needs.

Additional items only cost about $10 – $15 each, and you can get a guaranteed, upfront quote without the need for on-site estimates. At LoadUp, we don’t charge by volume, allowing us to keep our prices 20 – 30% lower than most other junk removal companies around.

Related Articles from the Trash Talk Blog:

• What Causes Bed Bugs?
• How to Dispose of Box Springs
• How to Dispose of a Mattress (And How Not To!)
• How to Organize Everything In Your Bedroom Closet