Making your air mattress work like new again without the need to replace it by patching it is a great way to save money.
Inflatable air mattresses pose a risk of punctures and leaks whether they are used for camping, as guest beds, or as daily mattresses.
Using an air mattress patch kit is the best way to patch holes in your air mattress, but household items can also work.
Rather than throwing your bed away, learn how to patch the leak so you can use it as long as you can.
You can make a patch from a bicycle tire patch kit if you still have one lying around—or else follow the directions on the package if you still have your air mattress box.
There are other ways to fix the leak in your air mattress, at least temporarily, even if you do not have a patch kit at home. Here’s what you need to do.
How To Find An Air Mattress Leak
It is first necessary to locate an air mattress leak so it can be patched. You cannot easily find many punctures because they are so small.
Before searching for a leak in a mattress that has been used and deflated overnight, make sure all bed linens and covers are removed. If your air mattress leaks, you can try the following methods:
- Squeeze the mattress gently after it has been fully inflated. Feel the air escaping with your hand as you listen for hissing air.
- Inflate the mattress to its full capacity. Rub the surfaces with a sponge dipped in very soapy water. You should see soap bubbles forming over the leaky spot after gently squeezing the mattress.
- Make sure the mattress is fully inflated. Look for bubbles on wet surfaces after spraying the mattress with a garden hose.
- Check the air valve to ensure that it is completely sealed, closed, and free of rips and tears. You will need to replace the mattress if there is a valve problem.
- Submerge the inflatable air mattress in your swimming pool. Try pressing the mattress gently and watching for bubbles to rise to the surface.
Now you know where the leak is coming from.
Tip
Dry the area with a cloth once you discover the leak and mark the area with a permanent marker. When you apply the patch, finding the leak will be much easier.
How To Patch An Air Mattress Without Patches?
It’s at this point that you would use a patch kit. You may want to consider these alternatives since you don’t have one:
Be Aware That DIY Fixes Could Void Your Warranty
Many manufacturers require you to repair mattresses by using patch kits, or by sending them back to them. Although DIY patches can be effective, they may lead to the loss of your mattress warranty.
It is possible to fix temporary problems with duct tape. In spite of the fact that duct tape has a good short-term adherent effect, it is not made to permanently adhere to plastic, and it will eventually dry out and fall off.
Fixing a leak with hot glue is never a good idea. The use of hot glue will, in most cases, result in your air mattress getting melted and making the hole bigger.
Step 1
Using a sander, remove the soft felt around the leak if it is on top of the mattress. Despite its comfort, this fuzz prevents your glue from fully binding around the leak, causing it to fall off very quickly.
The felt coating around the leak can be lightly scrubbed away using a wire brush or sandpaper.
Step 2
Use a shower curtain square to cut out thin, malleable plastic. It’s still possible to make your own patch if you’re out of professional patches or cannot purchase one. A tarp or a shower curtain can be cut to any size and work well.
Step 3
Ensure that your square has at least one centimeter extra on each side to cover the leak.
Step 4
Strong glue should be used to attach the DIY patch. Put at least the size of the patch on the leak and cover it with glue.
It is not a good idea to use your child’s craft glue bottle for this. In order to adhere your patch, you will need a strong, reliable adhesive like superglue, KrazyGlue, or Gorilla Glue.
Step 5
Hold the patch in place with glue. When pressing the patch into the glue, make sure you use even pressure. Gently wipe away any glue that may have accumulated around the edges of the patch with your fingers.
Step 6
If the patch is still wet, place a heavy object on top of it for 6-8 hours and then return.
As the patch dries, keep it under pressure by placing several heavy books, a weight, or similar objects on top. Your mattress patch should be well adhered when you return.
Considering The Options
T-shirt
Can’t cut up your shower curtain lining? Cut a piece from an old T-shirt that’s a little larger than the leaky spot.
Instead of applying the adhesive only to the front of the material, apply it both to the back and the area surrounding the leak on the mattress.
Shower Curtain Liner
The patch can be made from a thin piece of plastic, such as a shower curtain liner or pool liner.
With a little overlap, cut a piece that will completely cover the leaky area. After attaching the DIY patch to the mattress, use super glue or rubber cement (or another adhesive that has similar strength).
The patch should be adhered to the mattress using a strong adhesive like E6000. Make sure the patch is well sealed by applying adhesive to the outer edges.
Make sure there are no air bubbles. For at least eight hours, weigh down with books.
Duct Tape
Duct tape can be used as a last resort. For best results, cut a piece to fit the hole or leaky spot, place it on the mattress, and then place something heavy on top for 5 minutes to make the patch adhere.
Super Glue
To fix leaks in mattress seams, use super glue. Apply the super glue after pinching or folding the seam over.
To help the glue set, hold the seam together (with a careful eye out for glue spills or overflows) for a minute or two.
FAQs
How Long Does An Air Mattress Last?
Air mattresses can last between two and eight years depending on their quality, frequency of use, and maintenance.
Is It Possible To Patch The Felt Side Of An Air Mattress?
Sandpaper can be used to remove the felting from the area that needs to be patched on the felt side.
Why Did My Air Mattress Get A Hole?
A number of factors can cause excessive seam pressure, including exceeding the maximum weight limit.
It may also be punctured by a sharp object on the ground or dog claws, or the material might be stressed by extreme temperature changes.
