Air beds are easy to set up solutions for camping, having guests stay round, or situations where you’re in need of a bed. Whilst affordable and simple to use, it is possible that they can deflate which can be at best inconvenient, at worse a real pain in the neck. In this article we have highlighted things to consider to prevent your air bed from deflating.
#1 - Only use the air bed in the correct environment
Although some air beds are suitable to be used outdoors, this does not apply to them all. If you use a bed designed for indoor use to go camping, it may cause damage to the material. This is because the material on beds for outdoor usage are generally thicker and more durable. If the material gets damaged, it can cause air to leak resulting in deflation. Similarly, ensure that any indoor surfaces used are flat and clean. This reduces the risk of anything poking into the material and ripping it.
#2 - Inflate the air bed to the correct level, but don’t over inflate
Did you know that over-inflating can cause deflating? If you over-inflate your air bed it can cause tiny parts of the seams to burst. This bursting allows air to escape from the bed. You may not notice immediately, but after a few hours it may seem flatter. To avoid this, monitor how much you inflate the bed and stop when it seems full.
#3 - Check the valve is fully closed
An easy mistake to make is not closing the valve correctly after filling. If you are using a manual pump, you may need to close a cap. However, if your air bed has an electric pump you may have to turn a valve. Sometimes these valves can operate both inflating and deflating depending on if it’s plugged into power or not. Ensure this is turned to the correct position and fully closed to prevent air from escaping.
#4 - Use a repair kit to cover any holes
If you are unfortunate for your bed to split, you can cover these holes. Most air beds will come with repair kits or patches which are stick on patches to cover the hole. If you do not have these, you can find generic repair kit patches online which should have the same effect. This helps to prevent air from escaping.
#5 – Follow the weight limit
Your air bed will have a weight limit. These can vary by the size of the air bed, but it is important to always follow this. If too much weight is put on the air bed, it can cause the bed to sag which can affect the air pressure and result in the bed deflating.
#6 - Avoid sitting on edges of the bed
As a general rule, you should always avoid sitting on the edge of an air bed. The reason for this is that it puts a lot of pressure on one side as it pushes the air to the other side of the bed. This can increase the risk of the seams splitting.
#7 – Consider temperature
Temperature fluctuations should be kept in mind with air beds. The air cools down in the evenings, which means that any air in the bed will condense. This reduces some of the air pressure and will then feel slightly deflated come the morning time. If you experience a slight deflation, this is not something to be concerned about.
#8 - Remember that not all air beds are designed for permanent use
A lot of air beds are designed for occasional usage. This can mean 1-2 nights a week depending on your bed. If used every night, this can sometimes be too much for the bed which is why it may deflate after a few days. Stick to the usage outlined on the product otherwise you may risk damaging the bed.
#9 - Deflate when not in use
As most of these beds are for occasional use, they should be deflated when not in use. If they are kept full of air, it is likely they will deflate over time. It is best to deflate the bed and store appropriately. Ensure to fold correctly and put into any storage bags to keep them protected during storage.
#10 – A bed, not a bouncy castle
The last on our list is a kind of obvious one, inflatable beds are meant only for the purpose of sleeping. If at all possible, try to prevent your beloved children from bouncing on them. As with many of the points above, this will increase the chances of splits appearing at the seams, leading to deflation.
Overall…
By using these tips you can extend the life of your air bed, prevent deflation, and ensure you get a good night’s sleep. Remember to follow any guidance in your user manual to correctly take care of your bed.
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