Mattress springs are made of strong steel coils. If you need to remove a sharp coil or recycle an old mattress, using the right tool keeps you safe and makes the job easier. This guide explains which cutting tools work best, shows step‑by‑step instructions, and shares tips on recycling springs.

When and why to cut mattress springs

Remove poking coils. Old innerspring mattresses can develop broken coils that push through the fabric. Cutting them off removes the hazard.
Recycle metal. Steel springs can be recycled instead of going to landfillpuffy.com.
Upcycle projects. Springs can become plant trellises, candle holders or artpuffy.com.
Safety first. Springs hold tension and can snap when cutpuffy.com. Always wear gloves and gogglespuffy.com.

The best tools for cutting springs

Tool	Pros	Cons
Bolt cutters	Provide strong leverage to slice through steelpuffy.com. Easy to use by hand.	Require physical strength and may be heavypuffy.com.
Angle grinder	Quickly slices through metal with a cutting discpuffy.com.	Generates sparks and needs a power sourcepuffy.com.
Reciprocating saw	Versatile power tool that can saw through coilspuffy.com.	Requires a steady hand and may vibratepuffy.com.
Wire clippers / diagonal cutters	Handy for thin wire; can snip staples and small springsezjunkhauling.com.	Many models are not strong enough for thick coil wire; choose heavy‑duty versions.

Gather your tools

Bolt cutters or an angle grinder for thick springspuffy.com.
Wire clippers or heavy‑duty pliers for removing staplesezjunkhauling.com.
Seam ripper or utility knife to remove fabricezjunkhauling.com.
Bags and boxes for separated materialsezjunkhauling.com.
Protective gloves, eye protection and a dust maskpuffy.com.

Step‑by‑step: cutting mattress springs

Prepare your workspace. Clear a large, flat area and lay down a tarp to catch debrispuffy.com. Work outside or in a well‑ventilated spaceezjunkhauling.com.
Remove the fabric. Use a seam ripper or utility knife to cut along the edges and peel away the outer fabricpuffy.com. Pull out any staples with pliersezjunkhauling.com.
Expose the spring unit. Pull away foam and padding until you can see the steel coilsezjunkhauling.com.
Isolate the springs. For pocketed coils, cut the fabric pockets between each spring; for interconnected coils, snip the wire at the twist pointspuffy.com.
Cut the springs. Use bolt cutters to snip through the steel coil near the basepuffy.com. Work from the edge across the unit. If using an angle grinder, wear long sleeves and keep sparks away from flammable materialspuffy.com.
Collect the metal. Place cut pieces into a sturdy cardboard box; avoid plastic bags—sharp springs can puncture themezjunkhauling.com.
Recycle or reuse. Take the metal to a scrap yard or recycling centrepuffy.com. You can also repurpose springs for garden or art projectspuffy.com.

Alternatives to cutting springs

If cutting seems too risky or you lack the tools, consider these options:

Donate the whole mattress. Some charities accept usable innerspring mattressespuffy.com.
Hire professionals. Mattress removal services handle cutting and recyclingpuffy.com.
Recycle at a facility. Some recycling programs have machines to separate springs without manual cuttingezjunkhauling.com.

Tools & safety box

Wear protective gear. Use heavy‑duty gloves and safety gogglespuffy.com. A dust mask keeps metal dust out of your lungs.
Check your tools. Ensure bolt cutters or grinders are in good conditionpuffy.com.
Secure the area. Keep children and pets away and work in a clutter‑free spacepuffy.com.
Have a first‑aid kit nearby. Be prepared for minor cuts or scrapespuffy.com.
Dispose responsibly. Sort metal springs separately from fabric and foamezjunkhauling.com and take them to a recycling centrepuffy.com.

FAQs

Can you cut mattress springs with bolt cutters? Yes. Bolt cutters provide the leverage needed to snip through steel coilspuffy.com. Cut one coil at a time and watch out for tension releasepuffy.com.

Is it safe to cut coils at home? Cutting coils is safe if you wear gloves and gogglespuffy.com, clear your workspacepuffy.com, and use tools correctly. Springs are under tension, so stand to the side when cuttingpuffy.com.

What should I do with cut springs? Place them in a box to prevent puncturesezjunkhauling.com and take them to a metal recycling centrepuffy.com. You can also repurpose springs for craftspuffy.com.

Should I hire a professional instead? If you don’t have heavy‑duty tools or feel uncomfortable cutting, hire a mattress removal servicepuffy.com or take the mattress to a recycling facilityezjunkhauling.com.

Gentle reminder

Need help getting rid of your old mattress and springs? Ex‑Mattress offers pickup and recycling services. For general mattress cutting tips, see our ultimate foam mattress cutting guide. Curious about the cutting process for foam or latex? Check out how to cut mattress springs. When you’re ready to dispose of the springs safely, our team is here to make it easy.