Leaky Air Mattress? Simple Repairs for a Good Night's Sleep

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You've just flopped onto your air mattress for a well-deserved night of rest... only to find your mattress slowly sinking to the floor. Ugh! There's no need to panic, though—most mattresses can be saved by patching over leaks and tears. To do this, locate the leaks and clean the surrounding area so the patch sticks. Temporary measures, such as duct tape, can be used to seal the leak until you can glue on a stronger patch. With just a few simple supplies, your air mattress will be repaired and ready to use again.

1

Listen and look for the leak.

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  1. If you don’t know where the hole is, keep the air mattress inflated as you look . Holes most often appear on the bottom or in the seams, so stand the mattress up against a wall to check. Listen for the sound of rushing air to detect tiny leaks. [1]
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2

Use soap and water if you can’t find the leak.

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  1. Use a sponge to spread the soapy water over the mattress. Bubbles will appear from the leaking area.
3

Mark the leak with a permanent marker.

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  1. This is useful for small holes and tears. You can also use a piece of tape to mark the leak.
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4

Deflate the air mattress.

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  1. Use your hands to push out any air still trapped inside the mattress. Lay the mattress flat on the ground. [2]
5

Clean the leaking area with isopropyl alcohol.

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  1. For a thorough clean, spread some of the isopropyl alcohol on a towel or cotton ball. When you’re finished, allow the mattress to dry completely.
    • If you don’t have isopropyl alcohol, mix a teaspoon of any liquid dish soap into a cup of water and use it to wash the area.
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6

Sand the leak if your mattress is flocked.

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  1. This is only necessary for flocked surfaces, which are raised and soft like velvet, or similar surfaces such as suede. [3]
    • The mattress’ box or owner’s manual will tell you what kind of mattress you have. If you’re still unsure, skip this step.
7

Create a patch out of clothing when you don't have plastic.

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  1. Cut a patch out of an old shirt or another cloth. Use super glue and weigh the patch down for at least 6 hours, if possible.
    • This patch isn't as durable as plastic or rubber patches, but it will hold up until you can make more repairs.
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8

Seal holes temporarily with duct tape.

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  1. You will be able to use the mattress for the night, but the tape will loosen over time. Replace it with a stronger patch when you get the chance.
    • If you use tape, make sure you clean the tape residue left on the mattress when you try to patch it later.
9

Use a hot glue gun to seal small holes and tears.

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  1. Warm up the gun, then hold the tip above the hole. Slowly move the gun over the hole until it is filled. [4]
    • The glue gun can melt the mattress, so keep the tip away from it.
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10

Cut a patch out of a vinyl shower curtain.

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  1. Use scissors to cut a patch that is a little larger than the area you wish to cover. This will ensure the patch stays tight and in place over the hole. [5]
    • Repair kits come with some mattresses and can also be purchased wherever air mattresses are sold.
    • Bike tire patch kits also work well for repairing air mattresses. Find them at bike and general stores.
11

Spread rubber cement over the patch.

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  1. Also spread a layer over the leaking area. You can use a rubber glove to smooth the glue in order to ensure the patch stays flat against the mattress.
    • Other strong glues, such as super glue, contact cement, or epoxy, may also work.
    • You can also find glue that is specifically designed for surfaces such as air mattresses, pool floats, or whitewater rafts. This glue can be found where these items are sold.
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12

Set the patch in place and leave it for 6 hours.

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  1. Weigh the patch down with a heavy object, such as a book. Leave the patch there for up to 12 hours if possible.
    • If you don’t have time to wait for the glue to dry, the patch may come off. Try using duct tape or another cover material until you can cover the leak properly.
13

Inflate the mattress to test it.

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  1. To test this, you can put talcum powder around the patch. If the mattress is still leaking there, the air will blow off the powder. [6]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    My air bed has 4 tiny holes. How can I fix it?
    Saqi
    Community Answer
    Use a vinyl repair kit. Locate the holes by inflating the bed and listening for hissing sounds or feeling for escaping air. Once you find a hole, clean that area, apply adhesive from the repair kit, and cover with a patch. Press down firmly until the adhesive is dry.
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      Things You’ll Need

      • Marker or tape
      • Isopropyl alcohol
      • Sand paper for flocked mattresses
      • Patch kit or plastic liner
      • Rubber cement
      • Book or other heavy object

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.sleepadvisor.org/fix-air-mattress-leak/
      2. ↑ https://goneoutdoors.com/repair-coleman-air-mattress-5501927.html
      3. ↑ http://www.choosemattress.com/repairing-an-air-mattress/
      4. ↑ https://www.sleepadvisor.org/fix-air-mattress-leak/
      5. ↑ https://www.sleepadvisor.org/fix-air-mattress-leak/
      6. ↑ http://www.choosemattress.com/repairing-an-air-mattress/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make a temporary repair to an air mattress, clean the tear and cover it with duct tape, or fill it with hot glue. Additionally, you can create a patch with a T-shirt by cutting a piece to fit over the tear, and glue it to the mattress with super glue. To make a more durable patch, cut a small piece of a vinyl shower curtain or pool liner and stick it over the hole with a strong adhesive, like rubber cement. Weigh the patch down with something heavy, like a book, and allow it to dry for 6 hours before using. For more ways to repair an air mattress, like how to clean your mattress so patches stick, keep reading!

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