Last updated on 7 Apr, 2023

How To Patch An Air Mattress[2023] | 7 Easy Steps

– By Eric Smith

how to patch an air mattress

The most challenging thing after buying an air mattress is its maintenance, and an air mattress must need to be used carefully, or a small mistake can puncture it.

Luckily, you don’t need to throw your punctured airbed in the garbage. It can be repaired easily with some tools, glue, and repair kit, which we will discuss in this how-to patch air mattress guide.
So, stick around to learn how.

I have seen many methods to patch an air mattress, but some are unreliable. The bed starts losing the air again after some use.

Today, in this guide on how to patch an air mattress, we will discuss only methods that actually work even for a longer run and discuss everything you need to know about patching an air mattress.

How To Patch An Air Mattress: 7 Simple Steps

A straightforward way to fix an air mattress leak is by using repair patches that already come with most air mattresses. Let’s have a quick look at some items you need to repair your airbed with patches.

  1. Soapy-water Mixture
  2. Dryer
  3. A marker or highlighter
  4. Scuffer
  5. Strong Glue or Adhesive
  6. Patch Kit

If you have all the above-listed items, you are good to go on.

Step 1: Finding The Leak

The Soapy-water trick is a famous trick to find a leak or hole in any inflatable item. All you have to do is, inflate the mattress and start spraying the water with a bottle sprayer and do it until you find the leak. And after successfully finding the leak, use a dryer and dry the bed, especially the leaking area.

Some people suggest leaving the airbed for a day to dry, but I know you don’t want to spend that much time solving a minor problem.

Still can’t find the leak? Don’t worry. Please read our blog on how to find the leak in an air mattress. It contains some more methods that will definitely help you find the leak in any of your inflatable items.

Step 2: Mark The Leak

Whenever you fix your airbed, just don’t forget to mark the leak at any cost; otherwise, you may need to repeat the leak-finding process, which is not a big deal, but it wastes your time and effort.

A marker or highlighter should be more than enough to mark the leaky area. So, pick up your marker and make a small circle around the hole or leak.

Step 3: Deflate The Bed

After marking the leaking area, you should deflate your bed. By the way, deflating the mattress is not that necessary, but a deflated bed is more convenient to operate when it comes to fixing the leak than an inflated bed as the leaking air will not interrupt when you’ll applying the patch.

Step 4: Clean The Leaked Area

Take a scuffer, razor, knife, or any other sharp object and rub it on that leak to remove all the hairs and other unwanted stuff so that the patch fits perfectly on the hole.

Be careful while doing this step, and don’t apply too much pressure while rubbing, or you’ll tear it up.

Step 5: Cut The Patch

Luckily, most air mattresses include a repair patch kit for these types of situations, but if you don’t have, then you should buy one.

Most repair patches are rectangular in shape, which is not ideal for fixing the leak as their corners don’t hole the surface tightly like a circular patch.

That’s why I will recommend you to cut out a circular patch or just round its corners for a better grip.

Step 6: Apply Glue

Using strong glue is essential if you want the patch to last longer on your airbed.

There are many strong glue, adhesive, and self-adhesive available in the market, such as HH-66 Vinyl Cement and Coghlan’s 8880 Airstop Sealant that comes in a highly affordable price range and works pretty well.

Now, take some glue and apply it to the hole and the patch. Apply at least 3-4 times so that it sticks well.

Step 7: Close The Hole

Lastly, take the patch and try not to touch the glue side. Then, apply it to the leak, press it for at least 5 minutes, and make sure it is no longer leaking.

How To Patch An Air Mattress On The Felt Side?

Patching an air mattress on the suede or felt side is actually not that easy compared to the other sides. One needs to be careful while fixing it; otherwise, it can sting or irritate anyone while sleeping if not appropriately patched.

So, if you don’t want to face any issue while sleeping on your patched airbed, then follow the instructions given below:

  1. Find the leak and mark it with a marker or highlighter.
  2. Clean the leaking area.
  3. If your mattress is wet, wait a while and let it dry completely. You can use a hairdryer to dry it quickly.
  4. Take some glue and apply it over and around the leak. Apply it at least 2-3 times.
  5. Take your patch(use a thin patch) and cut it according to the size of the hole or whatever you think will be enough.
  6. Close the hole.

How To Patch An Air Mattress Without A Patch?

A patch kit is the most reliable solution for fixing an air mattress leak, but what if you don’t have a patch kit? You can still repair your airbed with some other materials.

Here, we have three additional methods for fixing an airbed leak.

1. Make Patch On Your Own:

In the absence of a patch kit, making your own patch is be the best option for leak fixing. A DIY patch doesn’t require much from you. You can make a patch with your bicycle tube or PVC curtain in a couple of minutes.

Take a scissor and cut a small piece from the rubber tube(recommended) or PVC curtain. The piece should be large enough to cover the leak or should have at least 1 inch of diameter.

Clean the leaky area with any sandpaper, razor, or any other sharp object, and don’t forget to deflate the bed.

As the patch you are using this time is not a regular patch so you’ll need to clean it as well.

Now, put some strong glue or adhesive on the patch and leak(use lots of glue, especially on the DIY patch).

Finally, set the patch on the leak, press it down for at least 5 minutes, and inflate the bed to ensure that everything is fine.

2. Duct Tape:

patch air mattress with duct tapeDuct tape is another option you have to repair your airbed’s leak. Keep in mind that this is not a permanent solution and does not last if you inflate and deflate your bed regularly.

It is suitable only for emergencies, such as when your guests are just about to go to sleep and you don’t have a patch kit yet to fix the bed.

Cut a small rectangular strip of duct tape, set it on the leak, of course, after cleaning it and gently press it down. Use at least two strips.

3. Nail Polish:

nail polishNail polish is also a temporary solution for fixing the inflatable beds, but you can use this trick if you don’t have any other option left.

Finding and cleaning the leak process will be the same in all leak fixing methods. In this particular case, take the nail polish, and apply it to the leak. Apply at least 3-4 layers and let it dry( Using a hairdryer would be a good choice to do that).

If you are still facing problems while patching your bed with nail polish, then we have a dedicated guide that you can read here.

Which Is The Best Patch Kit For An Air Mattress?

best patch kitTEAR-AID Vinyl Repair Kit is one of the best repair kits you can buy in 2023 to fix your leaking air mattress, tubes, boats, water toys, or any other inflatable item.

It is a see-thru patch kit, so you don’t have to worry about your bed’s look while fixing its flocked layer with this patch. In the price segment of under 10 dollars, this is an excellent value for money product.

In The End

Throwing away an air mattress because of a minor problem is clearly not a good idea as it not only wastes money but also harms the environment. So read the complete guide to get the airbed back in excellent condition and save your money as well.

With the help of this guide, you can patch or fix any of your air mattresses, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, car bed, or any other inflatable items.

About Eric Smith

eric smith - content writer

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.

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