Last updated on 14 Aug, 2023

How To Patch An Air Mattress On The Felt Side(2023) - DIY Tricks

– By Eric Smith

The hole or leak is easily repairable on the bottom or side of an air mattress, but what if it’s on the felt side? No worries! Let me share some tips that I personally used to repair my air mattress on the felt side. So, without wasting any more time, let’s dive into this how to patch an air mattress on the felt side guide.

We do our best to protect our expensive air mattresses from numerous threats in our homes. But still, we end up finding a leak sometimes. And the worst part is that you can’t always buy a new air mattress just because of a tiny hole.

Well, don’t worry. This article will help you out. Whether it’s a regular inflatable mattress, toddler air mattress, or even a car air mattress, a hole on the fuzzy side of the mattress can always be patched.

Quick Overview

How To Patch An Air Mattress On The Felt Side(2023) - DIY Tricks

Materials Needed To Patch an Airbed on the Felt Side

1. Patch Kit:

A patch kit is a quick solution for fixing punctures. It usually includes adhesive patches that bond to the felt or fuzzy surface of your inflatable bed. These patches are responsible for creating a reliable seal that prevents further leaks and makes it puncture-proof.

2. A scissor:

You’ll need a sharp scissor to cut the right size patch according to the hole or leak your air mattress has. It is important to get a clean and precise fit and to enhance the effectiveness of the repair.

3. Sandpaper:

Sandpaper is used to gently roughen the area around the puncture. It’ll helps the patch bond better and increase its longevity.

4. Soap and Water:

I hope you’ve found the leak in your air mattress. In case you’re still struggling to locate it, this trick can help you out. You can prepare a mixture of soapy water and spray it onto the whole air mattress with a spray bottle in order to find the leaking point.

5. Clean Cloth:

A clean cloth is necessary for wiping down the felt surface before applying the patch. The clean surface will make sure that the adhesive sticks properly.

6. Marker or Pen:

A marker or pen helps you mark the leaking point before you start patching it so that you don’t need to find it again and again.

7. Repair Glue (Optional):

Some patch kits come with repair glue, which can provide additional strength to the patch. It can be helpful for larger punctures or when dealing with more heavy-duty materials.

How To Patch An Air Mattress On The Felt Side?

Step 1: Find The Hole

Patching a hole is relatively straightforward, but finding one is tricky. Till you don’t know where the hole is, how will you fix it? There are two things you can use to find where the leak is.

Soapy water Trick: With this method, you can easily find a leak in any part of your air mattress. All you need is some soapy water solution and a spray bottle.

Now, inflate the blow-up bed to the maximum and spray the soapy water solution all over the mattress with the sprayer bottle.

Keep noticing while spraying the solution, as it will cause bubbles to form. Once you find the leaking area, wipe the solution with a dry cloth.

Using your sense organs: You can only find soapy solutions in some places. Sometimes you may be campaigning or trekking.

So just because you are not at home and the soapy solution isn’t available, it doesn’t mean you can’t find the hole. Let your sense organs do some work.

Note: Do this task in a quiet place as it can’t happen in a noisy crowd, so go to a place with some silence.

This process needs some effort, but it is also an effective way to find holes. First, Inflate the mattress to its optimum level. After inflation, try to find the hole or leak by listening to the sound.

You can easily hear the sound of the hole. Move all over the bed and try to listen to where the air-escaping sound is coming from.

If your ears don’t help you listen, go for your hand. Move your hand all around the mattress. You should keep your hands 1 inch away from the inflated mattress.

Move the hands and try to see or sense where the air is leaking from. This technique helps when the hole is tiny and you can’t notice with your eyes.

Step 2: Mark The Hole

Now, when you know how many spots or where the hole is, it is better to mark it. Marking a leak can avoid the risk of losing it.

That’s why mark it with a permanent marker or highlighter. All you have to do is, Draw or tick a circle around the hole or make a symbol that makes it easy to remember.

Sometimes when the mattress is wet, markers don’t work on it. Let it dry in sunlight for about 10-20 minutes.

Step 3: Remove The Furry Hair

Now that you have checked how many holes your inflatable air mattress has on the felt side. Start with shaving.

The fuzzy side of the mattress has some furry hairs, so start shaving with a blade. Use a razor and remove all the hairs around the leak.

Shave until it is clean, and your inflatable air mattress removes hairs from that place. You can also use a sharp knife as it removes all hairs around the perimeter of the hole.

Use it carefully, and don’t tear your inflatable air mattress apart.

Step 4: Use The Repair Patch

Now when shaving fuzzy hairs from that hole surrounding the area is done. Clean the surface nicely with a brush or a damp cloth. Keep the bed back on the air bed frame and let it dry or dry it by using a hair dryer.

We will use a flocked air bed repair patch to repair this hole. When this is dry and clean, the repair patch will work effectively, so make sure you do follow all the previous steps. Now cut the patch either in a round shape or in a square shape.

Note: Cutting the repair patch in a round shape will have no corners to lift and will stick to the hole.

After cutting, peel the repair patch and stick the back off to the affected area where you located the leak. Put a heavy weight on the patch so it sticks properly to the hole. Now your work here is done.

Ultimately, inflate your air mattress and check whether everything is fine.

Common Causes of Punctures on the Felt Side

Puncture or multiple punctures on an air mattress’s fuzzy or felt side can happen for various reasons. Some of the most common reasons are mentioned below.

1. Sharp Objects

Small but pointy things like pins, needles, or keychains can be the real culprit for puncturing the air mattress on the felt side. They can puncture the soft felt surface easily without you even noticing. Accidentally sitting or stepping on these items can lead to unexpected punctures that can slowly deflate your mattress.

2. Pet-Related Punctures

If you have furry friends at home, their paws and claws can unknowingly cause damage. Playful scratching or digging on the mattress can create tiny tears on the fuzzy side, which can turn into larger leaks in a short span of time.

3. Bumps from Furniture

Moving furniture around the room can take a lot of work. Accidental collisions with your air mattress, especially against a table with sharp edges, can also result in unexpected punctures. Even, a simple bump can lead to an unwelcome surprise.

4. Overinflation

Overinflating your air mattress might seem like a quick fix for added comfort, but it can be the culprit. The excess air pressure strains the material that, makes the felt side more prone to punctures.

5. Fold and Unfold

Folding and unfolding your air mattress frequently might seem harmless, but it’s like turning a book’s spine too often. The felt layer experiences stress with each fold, potentially making weak spots that can eventually lead to holes.

6. Storing Slip-Ups

Storing your air mattress in a chaotic space surrounded by sharp objects or pressed under heavy items can lead to trouble. The felt side can get scratched, pressed, or poked, which contributes to sudden punctures when you take it out and inflate it for use.

7. Outdoor Adventures & Misadventures

Bringing your air mattress outdoors for camping or relaxation is a great idea, but nature isn’t always gentle, especially when it comes to a bed that contains air inside it. Twigs, rocks, and uneven terrain can be hard on your mattress. These elements can easily puncture the felt side in no time if you are not careful.

When to Ask For Professional Help?

There can be a situation while fixing the airbed on the felt side in which things can get tougher, especially while dealing with multiple punctures. In this case, ask for professional help to save your time, frustration, and potentially further damage.

1. Vast Damage

If the puncture on your air mattress’s felt side is large or has caused significant damage, seeking professional help is wise. No need to mention that they have the expertise to handle such situations more effectively.

2. Multiple Punctures

The repair process can become challenging when your inflatable mattress has multiple punctures. Professionals can evaluate the damage thoroughly and provide a suitable solution.

3. Limited DIY Experience

If you need more confidence in your DIY skills or haven’t worked with patching materials before, it’s better to leave the task to experts.

4. High-Value Mattress

For high-quality or expensive air mattresses, it’s advisable to have professionals handle the repair. It minimizes the risk of further damage and gives the mattress longevity.

5. Lack of Time

Repairing an air mattress can be time-consuming, especially if you’re new. Professionals can complete the repair efficiently if you don’t have time which also saves you lots of effort.

6. Warranty Concerns

If your air mattress is still under warranty, trying DIY repairs might void the warranty. Specialists can deliver a solution without compromising your warranty coverage.

7. Safety Concerns

When dealing with a damaged mattress that poses safety risks, such as leaks near electrical components or valves, it’s safer to have experts onboard to handle the repair and prevent potential accidents.

Wrapping Up

Now you know everything about how to patch an air mattress on the felt side. If your inflatable bed has a hole on the felt side, and you don’t know what to do, this guide is going to save you hours.

The steps are being elaborated on for a better explanation. These steps have worked for many people, including me, and are one of the best ways to repair the hole in an air mattress on the felt side.

About Eric Smith

With 4+ years of experience dealing with air mattresses, Eric has gotten really good at making useful and interesting stuff for you to read. He loves helping people find the right air mattresses and fix any air mattress-related issues.

How To Patch An Air Mattress On The Felt Side(2023) - DIY Tricks