Foam beds can be bulky and hard to move. Cutting them up makes disposal easier and lets you reuse the pieces. This guide covers tools, steps and safe ways to recycle or repurpose foam.

Why cut up a foam mattress?

To break down an old mattress for recyclingwasteremovalusa.com.
To reuse foam for cushions, pet beds or craftswasteremovalusa.com.
To make transport easier when taking the mattress to a drop‑off site.

If you need general cutting instructions, see our ultimate guide to cutting foam mattresses.

Tools and workspace

Sharp tools. Use a utility knife with spare blades, serrated bread knife or electric carving knifewasteremovalusa.com.
Metal snips or heavy‑duty scissors. These help remove springs or fabricwasteremovalusa.com.
Measuring tape, marker and straight edge. Measure twice, mark straight lines and cut along themwasteremovalusa.com.
Gloves, goggles and a mask. They protect your hands, eyes and lungswasteremovalusa.com.
Large bags or boxes. For sorting foam, fabric and springswasteremovalusa.com.

Set up in a bright, well‑ventilated areaamerisleep.com. Use a waist‑high table or sawhorses to avoid back strainamerisleep.com. Keep pets and children awayamerisleep.com.

Step‑by‑step: how to cut up a foam mattress

Remove covers and outer fabric. Use a utility knife to slice the cover along seams. Peel off the fabric and batting layers, placing them in a bagwasteremovalusa.com.
Expose foam and springs. Keep cutting the fabric until the foam and any springs are visiblewasteremovalusa.com.
Mark and cut the foam. Measure the foam pieces you want, mark the lines and cut with a serrated or electric knifewasteremovalusa.com.
Separate materials. Sort foam, fabric and metal into separate bags or pileswasteremovalusa.com.
Trim and clean up. Use scissors to smooth rough edges and pick up stray bitswasteremovalusa.com.

For advice on choosing the right knife, visit our best way to cut memory foam guide.

Sort materials and repurpose foam

When you finish cutting:

Reuse foam. Turn foam pieces into cushions, kneeling pads or pet bedswasteremovalusa.com.
Recycle metal springs. Take them to a scrap metal recyclerwasteremovalusa.com. For safety tips on removing coils, see our guide on cutting coils.
Donate what you can. Clean foam blocks can go to schools or shelters.

If you’re working with a brand‑name mattress, check its warranty and see our brand‑specific advice before cutting.

Dispose or recycle responsibly

Check local rules. Many cities have mattress recycling programswasteremovalusa.com. Use Ex‑Mattress’s directory to find one.
Avoid landfill waste. Recycling keeps foam and metal out of landfills and can even support local jobs.
Hire a pro. If the task feels too big, book a pickup through Ex‑Mattress and let a hauler handle it.

For tips on cutting toppers instead of full mattresses, read our cutting toppers guide.

Tools & safety box

Wear heavy‑duty gloves and goggleswasteremovalusa.com.
Work in a well‑ventilated area and consider wearing a maskwasteremovalusa.com.
Keep your tools sharp and directed away from your bodywasteremovalusa.com.
Use boxes to separate foam, fabric and metal and keep your workspace tidywasteremovalusa.com.

Cutting up a foam mattress takes time and care. When you finish, you’ll have neat foam pieces for reuse and a smaller load to haul away.