How To Clean An Air Mattress? Comprehensive Guide

You can use air mattresses when you go camping or have friends stay at your house for a comfortable place to sleep. They are compact and easy to store when not in use. It’s also possible that you’ve had the same air mattress for a long time and never cleaned it; this is a common problem.

There are certain drawbacks to blow-up beds, such as their tendency to gather dirt and mold. To avoid unpleasant odors, allergies, and poor sleep, it is important to clean them on a regular basis.

We’ll go through how to clean an air mattress, why it’s vital to do so on a regular basis, and how to avoid mold growth.

What is an Air Mattress Made of?

A typical air mattress is built of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is better known as vinyl chloride. Unlike a standard PVC pipe, this one is significantly less uncomfortable. Rubber or a specific type of urethane plastic, which is more elastic and less brittle than conventional plastic, have recently been used to produce air mattresses.

What Goes into an Air Mattress?

Air is the straightforward solution to this question. Air mattresses are filled in a variety of ways.

Fortunately, you won’t have to buy an air pump and exhaust yourself attempting to inflate an air mattress before going to sleep. To be honest, there are quicker and easier ways to prepare an air mattress for usage.

Instructions for Inflating an Air Mattress

• In this case, an air compressor will come in handy. Flip the switch and wait for the air mattress to fill up after inserting the air compressor hose into the opening. The procedure of attaching airbeds to a mattress can be made simpler by using attachments.
• In this case, an electric pump is the best option. An electric pump can be used to inflate your air mattress if you are not camping and have access to energy. You don’t have to worry about it filling up. Electric pumps, on the other hand, may be extremely noisy, and this bothers a lot of people.
• Use a pump to inflate an air mattress. Pumps that are already built into the mattress are available on some models of air mattresses. Inflating these is as simple as unscrewing a cap and pressing a “inflate” button.
• Try a home remedy first before going to a doctor. There are cheaper alternatives if you don’t want to buy a pump. Many YouTube tutorials show how to blow up a mattress using a hair dryer or even a garbage bag. These, on the other hand, will require more time and effort. Then again, think of the awe your pals will feel when they see you toting a rubbish bag.

What Types of Air Mattresses Are Available?

Air mattresses come in a variety of sizes, including twin, full, queen, and king, just like real beds.

When it comes to air mattresses, there are a variety of options to choose from. If you’re terrified of spiders and other creepy-crawlies lurking on the floor, a double-high mattress might be just what you’re looking for.

Other mattresses use technology to enhance the comfort of the mattress.. Some mattresses, for example, allow you to adjust the firmness or softness of the bed with the push of a button. Pillows are sometimes included in mattresses.

Camping Air Mattresses

It’s easy to put up an air mattress on a camping trip because it’s lightweight and portable. A sleeping bag is far more comfortable than sleeping on the ground when you can get one in a variety of different tent sizes.

Some air mattresses may even fit within truck beds, making them ideal for camping under the stars or avoiding pesky bugs.

How can I Repair an Air Mattress?

When a hole forms in an air mattress, air escapes, causing the mattress to deflate. There are repair kits for air mattresses that include rubber cement to seal the hole.

Guerilla tape and other adhesives are commonly used to repair holes in air mattresses. There are also cloth patches available.

How Much Does an Air Mattress Cost?

The cost of an air mattress varies depending on a number of factors, including the size, brand, additional features, pump type, and so on. Prices might be as little as $50 or as high as $450.

Pumps are not standard on all air mattresses. Between $10 to $20 is the average price for a single pump, but certain pumps are more expensive depending on their intricacy and the sort of pump they are. Electric pumps are more expensive than hand pumps, but this isn’t always the case.

Air Mattress Pros: Positives of Buying an Air Mattress

1. Setting Firmness of the Bed

For a foam or innerspring mattress, the level of firmness you select is a one-size-fits-all. Only three options are available to you if you feel your mattress too firm or too soft:

• Changing the mattress can be costly, but the vendor will almost certainly do it for you for an additional fee.
• Make the investment in a mattress topper, which costs money but is usually more effective when used on top of a hard mattress. It is not always the case that adding a hard mattress topper would alleviate the problem of a mattress that is overly soft.
• Acknowledge and accept the fact that you’ve made a stupid decision and go on with your life.

Finally, if you have a back ailment or have pain in your hips, shoulders, or any other pressure points, this is not the best option. Mattress toppers may be able to address the problem, but they may also cost you more money than you originally budgeted. Just put up with it? Instead than taking a chance, why not use the available option instead?

You can customize the firmness of your air mattress (or air bed, as they are sometimes referred to) to meet your specific needs. Pumping in more air makes it more difficult, while releasing some air makes it easier. The firmness of your bed can be adjusted to fit the needs of single sleepers or a couple. Mattresses designed for a single person can’t take the additional pressure that comes with sleeping in a pair.

2. Support Adjustment

A mattress that is firm enough to provide support but not so firm that pressure points (hips, knees, buttocks, shoulders, etc.) can’t be adequately relieved is ideal for people with back pain, arthritis, or other forms of uncomfortable joints.

An air mattress is a popular choice for those with arthritis since they may alter the hardness as needed. Air mattresses are great for folks who need to modify the firmness or softerness of their mattress while they sleep. You can adjust the firmness or softness of your mattress if you wake up in the middle of the night with aches and pains.

You have two options if you want a softer mattress with an air mattress. This is one of the many advantages of an air mattress that most people appreciate. To do this:

• Reduce the mattress’s air pressure or
• Increase the firmness of the mattress to a setting that is comfortable for you.

To see if the pressure changes are helping you, you can do this while lying in bed and see the effects for yourself. For added comfort, you might also use a soft topper. To obtain the best of both worlds, you can combine an air mattress with a solid mattress foundation to get the best of both worlds.

3. No Sagging

After a few years, the majority of foam and spring mattresses start to lose their support. Over time, both springs and foam may lose some of their springiness. With an air mattress, you won’t have this issue. You can always add extra air if it starts to feel squishy! You won’t find any broken springs or deteriorated foam in this chair.

4. Heat Stability

Memory foam mattresses are known to raise your body temperature as you sleep, unless they are made of gel foam. You can keep part of your body heat in latex foams throughout the night. If you prefer to sleep cool throughout the night, an air mattress will allow you to do so without any issues.

5. Gassing and Biological Contamination

Mattresses made with synthetic foams can have a strong chemical stench, especially if they’re just out of the package. Foam is used as a cushioning in both innerspring and pocketed spring mattresses. Air mattresses don’t have any smell. They are composed of PVC, which is odorless and does not emit any harmful gases. Bed bugs and dust mites have no place to call home in these types of mattresses.

6. Couples Sharing and Movement Separation

Memory foam mattresses are touted for their ability to separate the movement of two people. One person in the bed can move around without affecting the other person, unlike spring beds! Two-chamber air mattresses are available for purchase. Because your partner’s chamber is inflated to their liking, and any movement they make is constrained to their part of the bed, it has little influence on you.

7. Air Mattress Portability

Does an air mattress make sense for me if I frequently go on vacation? If you wish to bring your bed with you, then yes, you should. For one thing, an air mattress or air bed can be used on the ground – or any other surface, for that matter. Though it’s not recommended to sleep through the night, it’s possible to put it on the water. The air could be pumped up in Palm Beach and you’d be in Sydney the next day!

Here, the key is that you can transport your mattress anywhere. Simply inflate it before you go to sleep using an electric or hand pump! You can obtain a good night’s sleep no matter where you choose to rest your head. Among air mattress advantages and disadvantages, it is worth noting that this is a convenient solution for unexpected overnight guests.

8. Great for Your Kids

It is safe to sleep on an air mattress, regardless of your age. Bedbugs, dust mites, and other allergens can’t live in PVC mattresses since they don’t emit any chemicals. An air mattress is not an inflatable bouncy castle, and I intend to bring this up again. Your children, on the other hand, are certain to believe that they are!

Air Mattress Cons: Negative Aspects of Air Mattresses

The air bed garden isn’t all sunshine and roses! A few drawbacks of air mattresses are often overlooked by those who use them—mostly because they enjoy the idea of air mattresses and think a little inconvenience is worth it. That being said, it’s a pain.

1. Air Mattress Punctures and Leaks

Air mattresses are susceptible to punctures and leaks, just like any pneumatically controlled equipment. Even while vinyl surface punctures are possible, they are quite uncommon. To puncture the cover, a needle or other sharp item must be inserted into the material.

The seams of the mattress are the most common source of leaks, whether they are around the perimeter or within the mattress itself. Punctures can be repaired, and your air mattress will not be rendered useless if you do. You should be aware of the possibility of punctures and leaks even if they aren’t a deal breaker while deciding on an air mattress for your bed.

2. Mattress Surface

Although this isn’t a real problem with an air mattress, it can help you sleep more comfortably. One or both sides of air mattresses can be flocked. To the extent that you have the option, it is best to take both sides. When you flip the mattress over, you get a more comfortable surface on both sides, making it truly “flippable” rather than just “rotatable.”

Miscellaneous Issues

1. There are some pump noises that are so loud that you may not want to use them at night. If there are sleeping youngsters in the room, this is especially true. Is this a significant issue for the majority of people?
2. In terms of warranties, air mattress warranties might be quite short. Air mattresses often come with a one-year warranty. However, what is involved in repairing something? A bike repair kit can be used to patch up an air mattress puncture.

Why You Should Clean Your Air Mattress

In the event that you’ve never thought about cleaning your air mattress, you may ponder if it’s truly important to do so. Air mattresses, on the other hand, need to be cleaned on a regular basis because they can become soiled rapidly from a variety of sources.

Your air mattress collects dirt, dust and hair from the floor every time you set it up. Additionally, people’s sweat and dead skin cells are left behind on your blow-up bed, which can build up over time.

Finally, if you store your air mattress in a closet or basement, mold and mildew growth may occur.

All of these impurities add to the overall cleanliness of your mattress.

How to Prepare Your Air Mattress for Cleaning

In the event that you’ve never thought about cleaning your air mattress, you may ponder if it’s truly important to do so. Air mattresses, on the other hand, need to be cleaned on a regular basis because they can become soiled rapidly from a variety of sources.

Your air mattress collects dirt, dust and hair from the floor every time you set it up. Additionally, people’s sweat and dead skin cells are left behind on your blow-up bed, which can build up over time.

Finally, if you store your air mattress in a closet or basement, mold and mildew growth may occur.

All of these impurities add to the overall cleanliness of your mattress.

Vacuum It

It’s also important to remove any dust and debris from the mattress before washing it with a cleaning solution. Keeping your mattress inflated is a good idea while you do this. Cleaning in the folds and wrinkles may be difficult if the bed is deflated.

Slowly vacuum the mattress’s top layer with a hose attachment, making careful to cover every square inch. Next, move on to the sides of the mattress, then flip it over to vacuum the bottom.

What to Use for Cleaning an Air Mattress

Slowly vacuum the mattress’s top layer with a hose attachment, making careful to cover every square inch. Next, move on to the sides of the mattress, then flip it over to vacuum the bottom.

• Air mattresses can be cleaned with a hose attachment that is ran slowly down the mattress’s surface. After that, vacuum the sides of the mattress before flipping it over and finishing the job from the bottom.
• You’ll need vinegar and baking soda if you want to get rid of the smell of pee from a human or a cat.
• We recommend using equal parts water and rubbing alcohol to clean mold and mildew from the mattress.

How to Wash an Air Mattress

Begin cleaning your air mattress now. You’ll need to wash your mattress by hand with a cloth dipped in your cleaning solution if you want to spot-clean or deep-clean it. The washing machine should never be used to clean an air mattress, unless in cases when the manufacturer’s instructions specifically specify that it is safe to do so.

If you’d like to know more about the several methods of cleaning and drying a blow-up bed, keep reading.

Light Cleaning

The velvety top layer of your air mattress should only be spot cleaned to avoid harming the material. Spot cleaning your mattress is easy if you follow these steps:

1. Dip a washcloth or sponge into your cleaning solution, then squeeze it out to remove any remaining cleaning solution.
2. Work your way toward the center of the stain, dabbing the stain lightly with the cloth.
3. To remove any remaining soap residue, use a clean cloth to dab the spots.
4. Proceed in the same manner with each stain.

If using a soft-bristle scrub brush does not remove the stains, you can also try using a cloth.

Deep Cleaning

It is safe to thoroughly clean an air mattress made primarily of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or polyurethane plastic (PUR).

For a thorough cleaning, follow these steps:

1. Douse your cleaning solution on a clean towel.
2. Using a wrung-out cloth, remove any remaining water.
3. You might use a stiffer pressure on any parts that are discolored or overly unclean.
4. To get rid of any soap residue, use a fresh, wet cloth.

To remove cat or human pee from a mattress:

1. To remove any traces of urine, use a dry cloth to gently dab the area.
2. Allow the baking soda to rest on the damaged area for a few minutes before cleaning it away with a clean cloth.
3. Rub the dirty area with a solution of equal parts vinegar and water.
4. Steps two and three should be repeated until the urine stain is removed.

If your air mattress has mildew or mold, follow these steps to get rid of it.

1. A fabric should be dipped in a solution of equal parts warm water and alcohol, then wrung out completely.
2. Use the cloth to remove the mold from the affected area.
3. Using a cloth dipped in warm water, wash the area.
4. Make use of a fabric disinfectant to eradicate any lingering smell from the mattress.

Drying Out Your Air Mattress

Setting your air mattress out in the sun to dry naturally is the finest and simplest method for drying it after washing. If it’s chilly or rainy outside, though, you may also use a fan to speed up the drying process by placing your bed near it.

You should expect your rubber or plastic mattress to dry rapidly if it is exposed to the elements. A longer drying time is required for delicate textiles like velour and velvet. Inflating the mattress while it dries can help avoid moisture buildup in the folds and speed up the drying process overall.

How to Prevent Mold or Mildew on Your Air Mattress

Keeping mold and mildew at bay might save you money in the long run by extending the life of your mattress. Here are a few things you can do to keep your air mattress from developing mold:

• Before storing your mattress, thoroughly dry it: Before storing your bed, make sure it is completely dry after you have washed it.
• Keeping your air mattress dry and well-ventilated is essential if you want to avoid the accumulation of moisture in the folds.
• Consider obtaining a vinyl zip cover if mold development is a concern on a regular basis. Machine-washable mattress covers allow you to keep your mattress free of mildew and bacteria by washing them on a regular basis.

Conclusion

Cleaning your air mattress on a regular basis is an important part of providing your guests with a germ-free environment. An annual deep cleaning of your airbed is recommended, although it can be done more frequently if necessary to remove body sweat, urine, or mold.

Fortunately, even a thorough cleaning of your mattress shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes. Baking soda, dish soap, and vinegar are some of the best mattress-cleaning tools you already have at home.

As long as you make a habit of doing this, your mattress will stay clean, safe, and free of allergens for years to come.