Improving the Coziness of Your Air Bed

An air mattress is a handy item to have on hand in the linen closet, whether it's for the occasional overnight guest or for use during the transition to your new home before your new mattress arrives. However, sleeping on an air mattress is not the same as a night in a hotel. Sleeping on an air mattress for more than one night can be physically taxing, lead to sore muscles and joints, and reduce the quality of your rest.

Whether you'll be sleeping on an air mattress for a few nights or a few months, we have some tips to make it more bearable. Read on for some advice on getting a good night's rest in an air mattress.

Air mattress advantages and disadvantages

There are many advantages to sleeping on an air mattress rather than on the hard floor. However, if you need something more permanent, an air mattress may not be the best choice. Read on to learn about the benefits and drawbacks of sleeping on an air mattress.

Pros

• A cozy air mattress is an excellent area saver for overnight visitors. Setting up an air mattress for a few nights is often the best solution when you have visitors, especially if you don't have a guest room.
• A portable option is an airbed. If you like to camp or are staying with friends who don't have a spare bed, an air mattress may provide a more comfortable alternative to the floor or couch.
• Comparatively, air mattresses are less expensive than conventional ones. An air mattress can serve as a temporary sleeping arrangement while you save up for a real bed or while you're in the midst of a move.
• Do you think an air mattress would be a good fit for you? If you're looking for a new air mattress, we've compiled a list of the best models for 2022.

Cons

• Back pain is a common complaint from those who regularly sleep on air mattresses. If your air mattress loses air overnight, this is especially true.
• The vast majority of people would rather sleep on a regular bed than an air mattress. You shouldn't buy an air mattress if you want a good night's sleep.
• There is a high risk of overheating on an air mattress because of the prevalence of plastic in their construction. Selecting an air mattress (like the Intex air mattress) with a cloth sleeping surface can alleviate this problem.
• It can be a pain to re-inflate your air mattress every night if it doesn't have a built-in pump.

So, how can you improve the comfort of your air mattress? Check out the tips down below to learn more.

Check That It's Fully Inflated

Making sure your air bed is fully inflated is the key to sleeping comfortably. When you lie down in bed, you should feel relaxed. Your hips and shoulders (especially if you sleep on your side) will hurt in the morning if you inflate it too much. Insufficient inflation means inadequate support and a suffocating "taco" effect from your bed. In addition, your neck and back will hurt when you wake up the next day. Before turning in for the night, you should try out a range of inflation rates.

If you and your partner have ever shared a queen-sized air mattress, you know that the heavier person sinks into the bed while the lighter person finds the bed too firm and stiff (or gets rolled into their partner). If you want to avoid this problem, you should inflate your air mattress as much as possible so that your larger sleeping partner doesn't sink too far into the bed. Alternatively, if you regularly host a large number of guests, you could invest in two twin-sized air beds.

Make Sure There Are No Holes That Can Leak Air

Nothing beats a rude awakening from a deflated air mattress in the middle of the night. Carefully inspecting your air mattress for holes can help you avoid this issue.

Fixing an Air Mattress Leak

Inflatable mattresses can develop leaks in a few different ways. Get started by taking the sheets off the bed. Then, fill your air mattress to the utmost capacity without bursting it. The next step is to hear if air is hissing out of the valve. Most air mattresses leak around the valves, so starting there could be a time saver.

There are a few alternatives to checking the valve for a leak. First, you should do a visual inspection to spot any obvious flaws. Rub the mattress with a comb and sink your hands into it. The hissing sound caused by air escaping will lead you directly to the opening. You should begin your search for the source of the leak at the seams.

If that doesn't work, try spraying your air mattress with a mixture of water and dish soap, beginning at the seams and working your way up. Any cracks will cause bubbles of soap to form around them. A garden hose is sometimes used to spray the mattress for this purpose. By using this technique, air bubbles can be formed around a leaking area. You can also try submerging the air mattress in the tub, though this is a more time-consuming and frustrating option.

Repairing a Leaking Air Mattress

The next step, after locating the breach, is to repair it. Before attempting to patch the hole, make sure the area is completely clean by wiping it down with a damp cloth. We'll begin by deflating your mattress. After that, you should patch the hole with some good ol' fashioned duct tape. Make sure there is enough contact area to prevent air loss. After applying duct tape, leave a heavy, flat object (like a textbook) on top of it overnight to help it set. The next step is to blow up your mattress and check for air leaks around the patch.

You can find an air mattress patch kit for sale online if you'd rather not use duct tape. You can use the adhesive plastic included in the kit to patch the hole in your mattress. The application is identical to that of duct tape.

If you've already tried to repair the hole and your bed is still losing air, you likely have multiple leaks. You'll need to look for the second hole as well as patch it.

Transpose the Bed to a Cozier Setting

You can also increase the comfort of your air mattress by putting it on a plush carpet or bed spread. The bed should be placed on a carpet or mat rather than a hard floor. This will prevent the bed from squeaking or sliding around as you shift positions during the night. This is helpful advice for anyone who sleeps on an air mattress with a partner or uses a combination of sleeping arrangements.

Cot or box spring may be added.

If you're not comfortable sleeping on the floor, try setting up your air mattress on a box spring or cot. It may be more convenient to sleep on a cot or box spring instead of a low-lying air mattress if you have trouble getting in and out of bed. Adding a box spring to an air mattress can make it more comfortable for your elderly guests or parents.

Change Your Sheets and Pillowcases

The only thing worse than sleeping on an air mattress is sleeping on an air mattress with a sleeping bag. You can make your air mattress feel more like a regular bed by using a fitted sheet, comforter, and pillow. When sleeping on an air mattress, a good pillow can help alleviate pressure on the neck and shoulders.

Before turning in for the night, place the head of your air mattress against a wall. Having the illusion of a headboard may help you sleep better at night.

Do you wish you could make your air mattress resemble a hotel bed? View our How to Make a Bed guide for helpful hints.

Put a Mattress Pad On It

A mattress topper is the final step in making your air mattress more accommodating. A cheap egg crate topper will provide extra comfort and pressure relief for your bed without breaking the bank. A mattress pad, which is thinner than a topper, can provide additional comfort to a bed.

However, the 10 best mattress toppers of 2022 are worth looking into if you want more than just a basic foam pad (or if you just prefer the feel of a memory foam mattress to that of an air bed).

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