Air mattresses are a convenient and lightweight alternative to bulky standard spring or memory foam beds, whether you’re going camping or having family around for the holidays.
Inflatable mattresses have been around for a long time, and they’ve been used for anything from establishing temporary sleeping arrangements to providing a pleasant floating gadget for families. However, no matter how you utilize an air mattress, it has always been susceptible to concerns like dirt and mildew.
It’s a good idea to learn how clean an air mattress properly. First, let’s take a look at why an air mattress has to be cleaned.
As a result of their transient nature, owners of airbeds tend to store them as soon as they’ve been set up. They are usually stored without proper care to prevent smells, mildew, and stains.
In the presence of skin, sweat, dust mites, and moisture, air mattresses serve as a breeding ground for microorganisms since they are constantly in touch with them. When an air mattress is kept in the dark basement or storage facility, the risk of a moldy mattress is exacerbated.
There are several reasons why airbeds may acquire scents over months or even years, depending on how often they are used.
Owners should wash their air mattresses at least once a season or after each usage to get the most use out of them and avoid buying a new one.
Getting Ready to Clean Your Air Mattress
Getting your air mattress ready to be cleaned is critical. Your visitors have returned home after spending a week on your mattress. You should know how to clean an air mattress carefully before storing it. As a result, any scents or moisture remaining on it may soak in or create the conditions for mold or mildew if you put it away filthy and then forget about it.
Eliminate its power source
A battery or a wall socket may power an electric pump that inflates air mattresses. Before washing it, be careful to disconnect your mattress from any electrical sources and keep it at least three feet away from any adjacent outlets. The pump should be removed if it is removable so that you may more easily clean your air mattress.
A built-in pump on your air mattress means that you’ll need to be careful while cleaning it.
Take Off All of the Bed Sheets
Remove any sheets, blankets, or covers from the air mattress before proceeding. While cleaning the mattress, you may wash these items in the washing machine.
At least once every few weeks, you should wash your air mattress’s bedding if you have it set up. When you sleep on an air mattress, dirt and other particles may build up between the covers over time due to the mattress’s position on the ground.
Using a vacuum cleaner, clean it up
Finally, you should vacuum your mattress completely to remove any exterior dust and grime before using a cleaning solution to wash it. We advise that you maintain your mattress inflated throughout this process, and the folds and wrinkles of a deflated bed may make it difficult to clean.
When vacuuming your air mattress, make careful to cover every square inch with the hose attachment while moving gently. Afterwards, vacuum the mattress’s sides and finally the bottom.
How to clean an air mattress? (6 steps)
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane polymers (PU), and various rubber compounds are the most common materials used in fabricating air mattresses. Even on more costly airbeds, antibacterial velour and velvet mattress toppers may be found.
When cleaning your air mattresses, it is best to use moderate or gentle cleaning solutions because of the different materials. This will keep the surface from degrading and limit the risk of holes and perforations in the future. Let’s learn how to clean an air mattress properly.
Dirt and dust are the first things you’ll want to get rid of
Most air mattresses are used on the ground or in a tent, as with most air mattresses. That’s why collecting dirt and dust is an unavoidable part of life. When it comes to cleaning, the first step is to vacuum up any loose dirt and dust that may have accumulated.
Wrinkles and uneven surfaces may be smoothed out by inflating a mattress first
If you don’t have access to a strong vacuum, a portable one can do the trick if you need to clear stuck material. Soft or non-woven textile surfaces may get embedded with loose debris and dust when vacuum cleaners are not strong enough to remove them.
Unfortunately, scrubbing dirt into the fabric makes it tougher to get rid of stains and other issues in the future.
Next, we’ll deal with the problem of odor
The likelihood is that you’ve been keeping your air mattress in wet conditions if it’s developed a musty stench. In this situation, keep an eye out for any mold or mildew growth symptoms. This odor elimination process should be postponed if there are any visible microbes.
Owners will want to add a coating of baking soda on the mattress if no growth is observed during an examination. Even if you don’t need to entirely cover the airbed, a lack of baking soda might lead to residual smells.
Vacuum the baking soda away after 3-5 minutes of sitting.
Cleaning Agent
As previously stated, a non-damaging cleaning solution should be created. Fortunately, this can all be done using common home goods.
Mild soap and warm water are the most widely used mixes, as are rubbing alcohol and warm water (excellent for mildew) or a vinegar-to-water half-and-half (perfect for mold).
Your airbed’s user manual or the manufacturer’s website should be consulted before purchasing branded disinfectants for cleaning.
Once you’ve found the finest cleaning solution for your mattress, it’s preferable to finish it in a warm, dry, and well-lit environment. Mold and mildew will be less likely to grow due to this method.
Using your solution, dampen a clean fabric, and clean any plastic and rubber surfaces. Stains in these locations may be treated aggressively since air mattresses are engineered to resist more than the typical amount of adversity.
Despite this, velvet and velour surfaces must be handled with care. Use tiny circular strokes and work from the outside inward when dealing with stains while cleaning fabric surfaces.
ADVICE: Don’t get your cloth sopping wet. Before wiping off a surface, it is excellent practice to squeeze out as much liquid as possible. This prevents mold and other microbes from forming due to moisture buildup.
Mattress drying is the last step
Drying your mattress outdoors on a bright day is best to get the job done. Despite UV rays’ potential for harming materials, the ambient outdoor temperatures and moisture dispersion remain unsurpassed.
Dehumidifiers are ideal for drying an air mattress if it’s not feasible to keep it outdoors owing to weather or living situations. Before storing your mattress, it must be totally dry.
Keeping Your Air Mattress Free of Mold and Mildew
Mold and mildew may be prevented from growing on a mattress, saving you money in the long run. Here are a few strategies to keep your air mattress from developing mold:
How to Clean Your Air Mattress of Dirt and Grime
Mattresses might seem unclean and uninviting if they have stains. To get rid of them, follow these steps:
Spray 3 percent hydrogen peroxide over the yellowed portion of your mattress. To prevent the mattress from becoming sodden, you should use just enough water to dampen it. Dry the affected region naturally.
However, if you find that the discoloration persists after using peroxide, feel free to do so again.
Bleeding:
Hydrogen peroxide may be used to remove any remaining discoloration. As the peroxide dries, the stain will vanish.
You need to remove urine stains by baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid dish soap. Apply the mixture to the stain using a cloth. The stain should be removed after many washes, in which you repeat the procedure several times. Before continuing, let it air dry for a few minutes.
Clean Your Air Mattress Mold and Mildew
When it comes to air mattresses, mould and mildew may be major issues, and these small spores might cause discomfort and possible danger in your sleep region.
Closing out
Your air mattress is now clean and fresh, thanks to your knowledge of how to clean an air mattress. Enjoy a nice night’s sleep without worrying about sleeping on a filthy air mattress.
Don’t forget that you may always get a new air mattress if your current one is beyond repair. After all, there’s nothing wrong with using air mattresses as temporary beds.
