Every move has that moment. The truck is booked, the boxes are taped, and the sofa will not fit the new place. The good news is that furniture donation in Toronto is easier than you think. Furniture Bank in Toronto takes clean pieces. Habitat lets you donate furniture in Toronto with free pick up. A good couch is easy to donate in Toronto too, and mattress disposal in Toronto is part of City pickup.
Last updated: November 4, 2026
We move Toronto families every day, so we see what works and what ends up back on the curb. So this guide shows you where to donate, what charities will and will not take, and how City pickup works. Then it shows you how to time it all around your moving day.
Before You Move: Decide What Stays, Goes or Gets Donated
Most families make this call too late, usually while the movers are standing in the hallway. Sorting a week or two ahead saves time, money and a lot of second-guessing, and it makes furniture donation in Toronto far simpler to book.
Measure the new place first
Grab a tape measure and the floor plan of your new home. Check the size of each room, the doorways and, if you are moving into a condo, the elevator. A sectional that barely fit up a Leslieville staircase may not turn the corner in a downtown condo hallway. If it will not fit, it is a good item to donate.
Use the four-pile method
- Move: pieces you use, love and have a spot for.
- Donate: clean, sturdy items in good shape that you no longer need.
- Sell or give to family: pieces worth selling or with family history.
- Dispose: broken, stained or worn-out items no charity will take.
Keep donation items in one room
Clear a spare room, garage or corner and put everything that is leaving in one place. Label it clearly. On moving day, our crew knows exactly what goes on the truck and what stays behind, and nothing gets packed by mistake.
Take photos now
Charity forms usually ask for photos and sizes. So snap a clear picture of each item from the front and side, and note any marks. That way the charity says yes faster, and you avoid a wasted trip.
If you are moving from a large family home into something smaller, our guide to downsizing before a move walks through the process room by room.
Donating Furniture in Toronto: Furniture Bank and Habitat ReStore
Toronto has several charities that take furniture. For furniture donation in Toronto, two of the best known are below. Both do real good with what you give, and both have clear rules.
Furniture Bank Toronto
Furniture Bank in Toronto collects gently used furniture and home items. Then it passes them on to people setting up a home, such as newcomers, refugees, families leaving abuse and people moving out of homelessness. Partner agencies send these clients to Furniture Bank.
- What they take: furniture such as tables, dressers, beds, chairs, sofas and shelving, plus home goods and small electronics. Items need to be clean and working.
- What they do not take: large appliances, books, clothing, baby items and toys. Furniture with rips, deep stains, water damage, broken frames, strong odours or pests will be refused.
- Drop-off: free, by booking, at 25 Connell Court in Etobicoke, near Kipling and Evans. You still get a tax receipt.
- Pickup: available, with a fee based on how much you are donating and where you live. Book online or call 416-934-1229.
Habitat ReStore: Donate Furniture With Free Pick Up in Toronto
Habitat’s ReStores sell donated furniture, appliances and building supplies. The money then helps build homes that families can afford. They have stores across the GTA, such as Etobicoke, North York, East York and Scarborough.
- Free curbside pickup for items that pass their check. So you can donate furniture in Toronto with free pick up: you bring it to the curb, and they load the truck.
- In-home pickup from the main floor costs extra: $150 for 1 to 3 items, $300 for 4 to 7 items, and $450 for 8 or more.
- Condition: items must be in good enough shape to sell. They usually turn away pieces that need repairs. Also, drivers will not take things apart or remove doors.
- Not taken: mattresses, bedding, hazardous materials, stone countertops and Sub-Zero style refrigerators.
- How to book: fill in their donation pickup form with photos and your available days. They ask you to book at least 10 days ahead. Late cancellations or a missed pickup carry a $155 fee.
Can You Donate a Couch in Toronto?
Yes, as long as it is clean and solid. A couch is the most common piece we see left behind on moving day. To donate a couch in Toronto, check the fabric for stains and tears first, then send clear photos with your pickup request. If it fails that check, plan for City pickup instead.
Which Option Fits Your Furniture?
Use this table to match each piece to the right place. For example, Furniture Bank in Toronto suits solid beds and dressers, while worn pieces go to the City.
| Item | Best option | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Clean sofa, table or dresser | Furniture Bank or Habitat ReStore | Book early; include photos |
| Bed frame in good shape | Furniture Bank | Check it is solid and pest-free |
| Old mattress or box spring | City of Toronto collection or a Drop-Off Depot | Habitat does not take mattresses |
| Broken, stained or water-damaged furniture | City of Toronto collection | Charities will turn it away |
| Large working appliances | Habitat ReStore | Furniture Bank does not take them |
| Renovation leftovers (doors, cabinets, drywall) | City Drop-Off Depot or a private company | Not collected at the curb |
What Charities Usually Will Not Take
Most refused furniture donations in Toronto fail for the same few reasons. Drivers inspect items at the door. If something does not pass, it stays with you, and that is a stressful surprise two days before a move. Before you book, give each piece an honest look:
- Rips, tears or worn-through fabric
- Deep stains, pet hair that will not come out, or smoke and pet odours
- Water damage, swelling or mould
- Broken frames, wobbly legs or missing hardware
- Any sign of bed bugs or other pests
- Items that cannot fit through a standard doorway without being taken apart
If a piece fails the check, skip the charity and plan for City collection instead. It saves a booking slot for someone whose donation they will accept.
Mattress Disposal in Toronto and City Pickup
For items no charity can use, the City of Toronto picks up large items such as furniture, mattresses and carpets on your regular garbage day. That also covers most mattress disposal in Toronto. Here is how it works:
- No booking needed. An annual fee on each home covers the service.
- Set it out on collection day beside your garbage bin, leaving some space between items.
- Bed bugs: mattresses or furniture with bed bugs must be wrapped completely in plastic. The City also suggests marking them so nobody takes them home.
- Carpet: roll and tie it in bundles no longer than about 1.2 metres (4 feet) and no heavier than 20 kg.
- Not collected at the curb: renovation waste such as drywall, doors and bathtubs, and hazardous items such as paint, propane tanks and batteries. These go to a City Drop-Off Depots or a private company.
For mattress disposal in Toronto outside of garbage day, you can also drop off a mattress for a fee at the Commissioners and Dufferin transfer stations. They do not take business loads.
Rules and fees change, so check with each organization before your move.
Your Toronto Furniture Donation Timeline
- 3 to 4 weeks before: measure the new home, sort into the four piles, take photos.
- 2 to 3 weeks before: book charity pickups or drop-off appointments.
- 1 week before: move donation items into one room and label them.
- A few days before: donations leave. Put disposal items out on your garbage day.
- Moving day: only the furniture you are keeping is left, so the crew works faster and you pay for less time.
Not sure yet about a piece? Short-term storage while you decide gives you room to decide after the move, without crowding the new place. Your furniture donation can wait until you are settled in Toronto or wherever you land.
Getting Help From CARGO CABBIE
Clearing out a home while packing for a move is a lot. Our team has been moving Toronto families since 2010, and we plan every move around what is actually going to the new address. Planning a furniture donation in Toronto around a move? Ask us about removing furniture you no longer need when you book your move, or visit our furniture removal service page to see how it works.
Ready to plan? Use our form to get a free moving estimate and tell us what is staying, going and being donated. We will build the move around it.
Furniture Donation in Toronto: FAQs
Where can I donate furniture in Toronto?
Two of the most established options are Furniture Bank, which furnishes homes for people referred by partner agencies, and Habitat for Humanity GTA ReStore, which sells donated items to fund affordable housing. Furniture Bank accepts drop-offs by appointment at its Etobicoke warehouse, and Habitat offers free curbside pickup for qualifying items.
Is furniture donation pickup free in Toronto?
Sometimes. Habitat for Humanity GTA ReStore offers free curbside pickup for qualifying donations and charges for in-home pickup. Furniture Bank charges a pickup fee based on volume and location, but dropping items off at its warehouse costs nothing. Check current fees with each charity before you book.
Will a charity take my old couch or mattress?
A clean couch in good shape is usually welcome. Rips, deep stains, water damage, pet odours or any sign of pests will get it turned away. Habitat for Humanity GTA ReStore does not take mattresses or bedding, so plan another route for those, such as City of Toronto collection or a Drop-Off Depot.
How do I throw out furniture in Toronto?
If you live in a house on City collection, place the item beside your garbage bin on your collection day and leave some space between items. You do not need to book. Mattresses with bed bugs must be fully wrapped in plastic. Renovation waste and hazardous items are not collected at the curb.
When should I book a donation pickup before a move?
As early as you can. Habitat for Humanity GTA ReStore suggests booking at least 10 days ahead. Aim to have donations gone a few days before moving day so your movers are not working around furniture that is not coming with you.
