5 Ways to Get Rid of an Old Piano
There’s probably an old piano sitting in your living room right now. It used to be the center of family gatherings — kids banging out “Chopsticks,” your aunt playing carols at Christmas. Now it’s a 500-pound dust collector that hasn’t been tuned in years.
You’re not alone. Thousands of pianos get rehomed, donated, or hauled away every year in the Seattle area alone. The tricky part isn’t deciding to get rid of it — it’s figuring out how. Pianos are heavy, awkward to move, and surprisingly hard to give away.
Here are your five best options, from free to full-service.
1. Donate It
If your piano still plays, donating it puts it back to work. Schools, churches, community centers, and music nonprofits in the Seattle area accept piano donations — but most want instruments in playable condition.
How to make it happen:
- Call local organizations first. Not everyone has room for a piano, so confirm before you start arranging transport.
- Have it tuned and cleaned before donation. A piano that looks and sounds good is far more likely to get accepted.
- Ask about pickup. Some organizations will send a truck. Others need you to deliver it.
- Get a donation receipt for your tax records.
Check with charities that accept piano donations for a national list of organizations.
2. Sell It or Give It Away
If your piano has life left in it, someone might want it — especially if it’s free or cheap. Upright pianos in decent shape can move quickly on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or Nextdoor.
Tips for selling:
- Research your model online to set a realistic price. Most used uprights sell for $200-$1,000. Grand pianos vary wildly.
- Take clear photos from multiple angles. Show the keys, the pedals, the back, and any damage.
- Be honest about condition. Buyers appreciate transparency, and it avoids wasted trips.
Giving it away for free? Post on local Facebook groups, Nextdoor, or community bulletin boards. Mention that the buyer handles moving — that’s usually the biggest barrier.
3. Recycle It
When a piano is beyond repair — cracked soundboard, broken harp, keys that won’t stay put — recycling is the responsible move. Pianos contain wood, steel, copper, brass, felt, and sometimes ivory. Most of those materials can be recovered.
- Call local recycling centers to ask if they accept pianos. Not all do, because of the size.
- Some recyclers will dismantle the piano on-site. Others need it delivered.
- The steel harp alone can weigh 150-300 lbs and has real scrap value.
If you can’t find a recycler that takes pianos directly, a junk removal company can haul it and sort the materials for recycling. At Junk B Gone, about 80% of everything we haul gets recycled or donated through Second Spark, our 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
4. Hire a Professional Piano Removal Service
This is the easiest option. You call, we show up, we carry the piano out, and it’s gone. No listing it online, no waiting for flaky buyers, no renting a truck.
What to look for in a removal service:
- Licensed and insured. Pianos are heavy and your floors are expensive. Make sure the company carries insurance.
- Good reviews. Look for companies with a track record of handling heavy, awkward items.
- Clear pricing. Get a quote upfront. At Junk B Gone, our pricing starts at $99, and the quote includes labor, hauling, and disposal.
A professional service will assess the piano, figure out the best route out of your house (stairs, doorways, tight hallways), and handle the heavy lifting. If the piano is still playable, a good company will try to donate it rather than dump it.
Don’t Call the 800 Number. Call Your Neighbors.
Locally owned since 1989. Not a franchise. Not a call center. Just us.
5. Repurpose It
If you’re the creative type, an old piano can become something new. People have turned pianos into bars, bookshelves, desks, garden planters, and wall art. A quick search on Etsy for repurposed pianos shows dozens of ideas.
A few popular conversions:
- Remove the keyboard section and turn it into a writing desk
- Convert the body into a garden planter (flowers growing out of the top look great)
- Salvage the keys for jewelry, art, or decorative projects
- Turn the frame into a kitchen island or bar
This only works if you have the space and tools to do the conversion — or know someone who does. Otherwise, options 1-4 are your best bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does piano removal cost in Seattle?
Professional piano removal typically runs $100-$300 depending on the piano type (upright vs. grand), location in your home (ground floor vs. upstairs), and accessibility. At Junk B Gone, our minimum is $99 and all quotes include labor, hauling, and disposal.
Can I put a piano on the curb for garbage pickup?
No. Seattle’s regular garbage service won’t take a piano. It’s too heavy and too large. You’ll need to arrange a bulk pickup, take it to a transfer station yourself, or hire a junk removal company.
Will anyone actually take a free piano?
If it’s in playable condition, yes — but expect it to take a few weeks. The demand for free pianos has dropped over the years. If you list it for free and get no takers within 2-3 weeks, professional removal is your next step.
What happens to the piano after Junk B Gone takes it?
If it’s playable, we try to donate it through Second Spark, our 501(c)(3) nonprofit. If it’s not, we recycle the materials — steel, copper, brass, and wood all get sorted and sent to the right facilities. About 80% of what we haul gets recycled or donated.
Ready to Get That Piano Out of Your House?
Free estimates, same-day service, and a crew that treats your home like their own.
