An air mattress can be your best friend when you're camping, having a friend over to spend the night, or just looking for a convenient place to crash.These handy mattresses are portable and convenient because they can be compressed to a fraction of their full size.It's easy to inflate an air mattress if you use a mattress- compatible pump or just use the tools you have handy.
Step 1: The valve cover needs to be opened.
A simple hole on the side of the mattress is where most air mattresses have a one-way air valve.If you want to put air in the mattress, you have to locate this and remove the protective cap.Some modern mattresses have pumps built into them.If the pump is receiving power from an outlet or batteries, it will inflate the mattress if you flip the "on" switch.
Step 2: The pump should be inserted.
If you're using an electric pump or a manual one, you need to insert the pump's nozzle into the hole or valve opening.The material around the valve should be sealed with the pump.If it doesn't, there's a chance that air may escape around the pump, making it harder to inflate the mattress.If you can't get a tight seal around the pump, you may want to try laying duct tape around it to keep it seated in the valve, though this can be useless if you use a pump made for the mattress.It can be done by melting plastic around the pump to make it thicker and give it a tighter seal.
Step 3: If you are using an automatic pump, turn it on.
Modern air mattresses come with an electric air pump.To turn it on, make sure it's plugged in or has battery power.The mattress should start to inflate.Electric pumps are loud, so you may want to be careful about running them around where other people are sleeping.
Step 4: Start pumping if you use a manual pump.
If you lost your electric pump and had to buy a replacement, you may only have a manual pump.They're usually quite effective in their own right, even though they aren't as quick and easy as electric pumps.There are two main types of manual pumps used for inflating air mattresses.Smaller hand-operated bicycle-style pumps are occasionally used.Foot pumps use a foot pedal attached to a hose and nozzle to force air into the mattress.
Step 5: The latch needs to be screwed back on.
Once the mattress is fully inflated and firm to the touch, remove the pump, then screw the valve or hole cap back on to trap the air inside.You are ready to sleep.Get some sheets, blankets, and pillows.Air mattresses with one-way valves can trap air inside.If you screw the cap back on, you can provide another layer of protection against deflation.You'll need to screw the cap back on quickly if you have Mattresses with simple air holes and no valves.
Step 6: If there isn't a pump, use a hair dryer.
If you don't have a pump to inflate your mattress, it's possible to use common household items.You might want to try using an electric hair dryer.To start filling the mattress, simply turn the hair dryer on and hold it against the open valve hole.Because the hair dryer won't fit your mattress's air hole, the inflation process will be slower than using a pump.If you have a choice, be sure to use cool air.If exposed to high heat, most air mattresses are made from plastic or vinyl.
Step 7: You can use a shop vac.
Any machine that can blow air can be used to inflate an air mattress.There are many shop vacuums that have a "blow" function.The snow blowers and leaf blowers are specifically made for blowing.All you need to do is hold the nozzle or blower up to the air hole or valve and blow to inflate the mattress.It is possible to convert some ordinary home vacuum cleaners to blow air.You can inflate your mattress by connecting a long, narrow cleaning nozzle to the hole that the bag was originally attached to.
Step 8: You can use a bike or tire pump.
If you've biked or driven to the place where you use your air mattress, you may have a pump handy, but you don't know it.Bike and tire pumps can be used to inflate an air mattress.It can be difficult to get a tight seal around a pump nozzle.If you want to use your air mattress with the pump, you may need to increase the width of the existing nozzle or use a suitable accessory.
Step 9: There is a garbage bag.
Most people don't know that it's possible to inflate an air mattress with a garbage bag.If you want to do this, open the bag and swing it up and down.The open end of the bag can be used to trap the air inside.Hold the open end of the bag around the mattress's air hole.Slowly laying on the bag will force the air out and into the mattress.Continue as needed.Heavy-duty trash bags are the best for this method.There is a chance that weaker bags will pop under your weight.
Step 10: If all else fails, suck it up with your breath.
Try the old-fashioned way if you can't find any of the objects above to inflate your mattress.Simply put your mouth against the mattress's air hole and exhale if you want it to be clean.It can take some time for the mattress to be full and firm.If you don't have a one-way valve on your air mattress, you'll need to keep your mouth open and close your throat.Instead of using your mouth, breathe through your nose.
Step 11: The valve cover needs to be removed.
You should remove the air hole cover when you're done sleeping on your air mattress.Your mattress will deflate if it has a simple air hole.More complicated models may require more action on your part.Look for an air-release switch to flip and turn the valve to let air escape if your mattress doesn't start deflating immediately.
Step 12: To force air out of the mattress, fold or roll it.
When air leaves your mattress, it will eventually settle into a mostly-deflated state.The best way to get all of the air out is to fold or roll the mattress.When the mattress is completely deflated, it will take up a minimum of space.To force all the air out of the mattress, try making small, tight folds or rolls.
Step 13: A vacuum can be used to save time.
If you want to speed up the deflating process, you can use a vacuum to pull air out of the mattress.You can use an ordinary home vacuum, a shop vacuum or any other machine that can create a vacuum for this purpose.Simply open the air hole, wait for air to leave the mattress, and hold the vacuum hose or nozzle over the hole to speed up the deflation.