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Air mattresses are designed for temporary use while moving, camping, or traveling. Portability and ease of use are their main selling points. One thing that air mattresses are definitely not known for is comfort. Fortunately there are several different things you can do that will make your air mattress more comfortable and dramatically improve your sleep.
Common Comfort Problems with Air Mattresses
- The air mattress is not properly inflated
- The air mattress slides and makes unpleasant noises
- The air mattress is too cold
- The lack of a headboard is making your air mattress uncomfortable
Based on personal experience, we’ll share a few things you can do to improve your sleeping experience on an inflatable mattress.
First and most important, you should make your air mattress like a real bed. Use bedsheets, proper cover, mattress topper, and the right pillow to make an air mattress more comfortable.
When you are camping, make your air bed outside the same way you would arrange it as if you were in your bedroom.
Now let’s go over a few tips on how to make an air mattress more comfortable.
Improve the Comfort of Your Air Mattress
Despite what you may think, it’s actually not too difficult to make an air mattress more comfortable. Get a good night’s rest by following these steps:
- Inflate your air mattress properly
- Prevent sliding and unpleasant noises
- Keep your air mattress warm
- Use the wall, board, and pillows
- Keep your air mattress clean
Inflate your air mattress properly
Here’s what to watch for:
- Temperature fluctuations
- Air leaks
- Material stretching
- Built-in pump system
Temperature fluctuations
Inflate your air mattress to the recommended pressure or the pressure that suits you best. Make sure that your mattress has enough air.
Keep in mind that the air inside the mattress cools down during the night and your inflatable mattress can become softer because of the heat loss. If this happens, be sure that your mattress is well isolated from the cold surface.
Air leaks
Besides temperature fluctuations, small holes can be also a reason why your air mattress is leaking.
Air leaks are mainly caused by careless packing of inflatable mattresses or by external damage.
Do not leave your mattress inflated for a long time, and when you pack it, do it carefully and as closely as possible to the original packaging of the manufacturer, without additional folding.
Material stretching
Stretching increases the volume of the material. Therefore, the amount of air initially inflated may be insufficient. Under the pressure of weight, the body can sink into a softened mattress which can cause back pain and neck strains.
To avoid these inconveniences, you should inflate your mattress to be a little firmer but on the other hand, use a mattress topper to soften it.
Don’t try to pump too much air inside because the mattress may get damaged.
Built-in pump system
If you want to spend more of your budget, the permanent solution is an air mattress with a built-in pump system.
This system automatically refills your mattress to the desired air pressure. This is useful when you are camping due to the larger difference in temperature and the fact that the air in the mattress cools down quickly, which makes the air mattress softer.
Prevent sliding and unpleasant noises
You need the following:
- Non-slip surface
- Mattress stand
- Get rid of unpleasant noises
Non-slip surface
If you frequently change positions while sleeping – which is most often caused by an uncomfortable bed – you may also move your air mattress along the ground.
A sliding air mattress sliding can be quite uncomfortable and annoying, because if you are using a wall in place of a headboard, your pillow and neck may be in an awkward position.
Avoid accidentally moving the air bed by placing it on a non-slip surface. If you want to place an air mattress on the floor, spread out a carpet or wool blanket, then put your air bed on it.
Mattress stand
You can consider buying a mattress stand or a box spring. With a proper mattress base, your mattress will be raised from the floor, and you will be able to lie down and get up the same way you would as if you were lying in a proper bed.
Get rid of unpleasant noises
The non-slip surface should prevent friction between the air mattress and the floor which can create an annoying squeaking noise. If you want to avoid these annoying sounds, spread the carpet or softer blanket on the floor, then put your mattress on it.
The friction of your body against the sleeping surface of the air mattress may also be a source of unpleasant noise. If you arrange your air mattress just like a proper bed and place thicker sheets and bed covers on the sleeping surface, chances are that unwanted sounds will not disturb your good night’s sleep.
Keep your air mattress warm
You’ll need some of these in order to maintain a warm temperature while sleeping:
- Soft surface
- Memory foam topper
- Sleeping bags and spear blankets
Soft surface
Air mattresses cool faster than mattresses made out of foam or springs. PVC is cold material and the air inside tends to get cooler if the temperature is declining during the night. This is always the case if you use an inflatable bed outside or in a camping tent. You can prevent your mattress from cooling down by placing a warm pad or wool blanket underneath.
Memory foam topper
Memory foam is known as a good insulator of heat, so if you use a foam topper in combination with your air bed and soft surface, heat should be captured, and the cold surface of your air mattress should be neutralized.
Sleeping bags and spear blankets
Sleeping bags are filled with goose-down or synthetic materials, and you can place them below your mattress to prevent warmth loss due to the cold surface. One can also be used at the top of the air mattress or as a cover.
Consider using a spear blanket between the air mattress surface and sheets. You can always warm yourself additionally by wearing more clothing. This is not the most comfortable option, but it will warm you up even more.
Use a wall, a board, and pillows
Add support to your body and the mattress itself.
- Use more pillows
- Use a wall or board
Use more pillows
Lack of edge support and headboard is a common problem for most air mattresses. By using a proper pillow, you can find a satisfying sleeping position, but for many sleepers, this is still a challenge.
You should use proper pillows for support. If you place a soft barrier between the mattress and the wall, head support may be softer and more comfortable.
Use a wall or board
You can always use the wall or fixed headboard by placing your air bed against it, but the combination of a cold mattress and a cool wall can be uncomfortable on a winter day.
On the market, you can find only a few air beds with head support, the same thing is with mattress stands and frames.
The position of the air mattress is important. The corner of a room, for example, brings stability and more body support.
Keep your air mattress clean
Vacuum your air bed while it is still inflated and do that frequently. If your air mattress is stained with something that isn’t easy to remove, you can try cleaning it with an equal mixture of water and vinegar.
Air mattresses are prone to collecting dust and hair, especially from the floor. If you fold and store a dirty air bed, mold may show up and an unpleasant odor can badly affect your future sleep.
FAQs
Use a foam topper or quilted pads. In this way, the softer surface on the firm air mattress will contour your body and protect your bed from external damage.
You can use a box spring, this should make your air bed softer and the mattress will be elevated from the floor. Use thicker bed sheets and a proper pillow.
Regardless of the manufacturer, multilayered air mattresses that are water-resistant and equipped with a dual built-in pump, are the best we can find in the market.
This type of air mattress is manufactured in larger dimensions. Queen-size air mattress is very popular because two people can sleep comfortably on it.
Make sure that all valves are sealed and that you don’t have air leaks and small holes in your air mattress.
You should strip everything removable from your mattress, inspect it, and locate the air leak. If you find a hole in your mattress first mark the place where the air is leaking.
The mattress should be blown out and the place of gluing cleaned. Then you should use PVC glue for air mattresses and rubber patches. Add some glue and attach patches firmly to the repair site.
Put some flat heavier object, a thick book for example, on the patched area and leave it for some time. When the glue is completely dry, re-inflate the mattress to the desired pressure.
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With over 5 years experience writing about sleep and mattresses, she's considered one of the go-to experts on the topic.
She likes cycling, nature, art, and languages. She pays special attention to providing you with accurate and useful information when it comes to your sleep quality.
After solving her personal sleep and tiredness problems, she is on to help others by sharing this invaluable information.
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