How to Fix an Air Mattress Hole Many campers prefer the relative comfort of an air mattress as opposed to a sleeping bag when they’re in the woods. Whether it be for health reasons, or just to feel refreshed in the morning from a night of quality sleep, a good air mattress is a godsend for some campers. But bringing an air mattress to the campsite invites with it a host of problems, from packing space to mattress maintenance. One of the most common issues air mattress users face in the outdoors is the punching of a hole in the mattress’ delicate lining. Fortunately, the experience of longtime air mattress users has revealed a few tricks to solve the problem quickly and easily. Finding the source of a small, gradual leak is often the toughest part of the hole fixing process. Air mattresses almost never blow out completely. Instead, they drain throughout the night – especially when camper’s sleeping bodies are putting pressure on them. Few things are as annoying to air mattress campers as waking up on the ground because of slow deflation.
For small holes that you just can’t seem to find, the simplest method of discovery is to overinflate the mattress. With the added air pressure, the hole will usually start emitting an audible “whooshing” sound or expand and become more visible. Some holes, however, are more stubborn. If you’ve tried the overinflating trick to no avail, it’s time to bust out the big guns – or in this case, the spray bottle. A trick many experienced campers used to discover air mattress holes is to create a solution of dish soap and water in a spray bottle, and use it on the inflated mattress. Eventually, you will begin to see bubbles forming where the leak is. When the leak is discovered, take comfort; the tough part is over. At this point, you’ll have to determine how severe the damage is. If the hole is small enough, you’ll be able to fix it with an air mattress patching kit. They’re available from most outdoor retailers for under $10, and are a must-bring camping item if you plan on using an air mattress.
No matter how bad the hole is, using a patching kit is always worth a try. After all, they cost much less than buying a new air mattress altogether. That said, some severe holes might render your air mattress useless. In the event that a rock or other sharp object severs a large, unfixable tear, it might be time to cut your losses and get a new one. Though air mattress ownership does come with this risk, the benefit of getting a good night’s sleep is worth it to many. Be the first to review this product Check your nearest branch for stock of this itemRead our easy Refunds Policy Delivery times & charges (Please allow 3-5 working days) Would you like to add this amount to your cart? Item has been added to your cart. The Deal has been added to your cart.Your review will appear once it has been approved.Whether you bring out an air mattress for your guests to sleep on or you take your air mattress camping, you need to be wary of punctures. A hole in your air mattress will only get worse over time, and the larger it gets, the more difficult it will be to repair.
When you are dealing with an air mattress with a hole in it, you need to take action immediately. On a large air mattress this can take some time. Do not simply inflate the mattress and lie down on it until you can hear air hissing out. This will only enlarge the hole and risk more damage to the air mattress itself. Instead, prepare a solution of water and dish soap and place it in a spray bottle. Fill the air mattress up and mist strategic areas of the plastic. As you gently press down on the mattress, a hole will make its presence known by creating small bubbles in the liquid. This is the most gentle and reliable way to locate the hole. Ideally, your air mattress will come with a repair kit that is exclusive to the vendor. These kits usually consist of vinyl patches and some kind of adhesive. If your mattress is from a high-quality manufacturer, it might be best to use the materials that they give you for the most effective repair. If your air mattress did not come with a repair kit, you can contact the manufacturer for a kit that works well with their air mattress.
When you cannot contact the vendor or the vendor is no longer in business, you can go to a general home improvement store and look for general vinyl repair kits. These kits can be found in any major home improvement store like Lowe's or Home Depot, and they are usually located in areas that pertain to pool maintenance. They will require that you cut your own patch before sealing it to the hole. If you do not have the time to look for a repair kit, or even if you are camping and cannot get back to town, there are a few quick fixes that you can use. Applying glue from a glue gun can help you seal up the hole, and in an emergency you can use duct tape to seal the hole. Either of these options will help you mitigate the damage until a more permanent solution can be reached. Use this form to find things you need on this siteTips for Sleeping Comfortably on an Air Mattress Hosting Help: Tips for Sleeping Comfortably on an Air Mattress I live in a one bedroom apartment with no pull-out couch, so whenever guests come to stay, either they or I usually end up sleeping on my inflatable air mattress.
Due to these adventures, I have collected a list of tips and tricks to make the night more bearable (and perhaps even comfortable) if you're sleeping on an inflatable. See below for my list, and of course add your own. 1. If you haven't yet purchased an inflatable mattress and are planning to, splurge and get the double. I'm a small person with a five pound chihuahua, and somehow one of us is always falling off the edge of the twin. 2. Skip the bells and whistles. Air mattresses don't last forever, and a basic inflatable can be just as comfortable as a more expensive, air-chambered version. I have the Guest Choice from Aero Bed, which is as basic as they come, and have had it for nearly ten years with no problems. Make sure to find one that has a pump which can adjust air. This one has a release button for perfect inflation. Also, find a mattress that is at least 20 gauge vinyl or higher to prevent tiny holes from developing. 3. Utilize your sleeping bags: the original air mattresses.
Create a pillow top over an inflated air bed with open sleeping bags, blankets or memory foam. The air inside of the mattress will gradually cool overnight, and likely make you colder than a regular bed. Pad it for comfort and warmth. 4. Make it like a real bed. After creating the pillow top, make up the air mattress like you would any other bed: with a sheet set, blanket and comforter. It's tempting when you're tired to just drop down and use a blanket to cover you, but making it up like your regular bed will provide a better night's sleep. 5. Make sure to place the bed on a soft surface. Most air mattresses have vinyl or plastic underneath to prevent movement and sliding. That will squeak all night on a hardwood floor. Opt to place it on carpet, a rug, or drop a blanket under it. 6. Create a headboard. If your air mattress doesn't already have one built in, create a faux-headboard by placing the mattress in front of a wall. Beds have headboards for lots of reasons, but one of them is to keep your pillows from falling backwards off the bed.