How to inflate a mattress without a pump - some tips

• 1 Where to start
• 2 Vacuum cleaner to help
• 3 Use a hair dryer
• 4 Big package
• 5 How not to inflate a mattress
• 6 Summing up

Inflatable upholstered furniture, especially mattresses, are in steady demand. Expensive air mattresses are usually equipped with a pump (built-in or a separate item). In other cases, the device is purchased separately. What to do if the pump fails, is lost or forgotten, and the product definitely needs to be inflated? This situation can take you by surprise, especially if the well-being of your night’s rest—yours, your guests’, or your relatives’—depends on its outcome. How to inflate a mattress without a pump? In fact, this is a solvable problem. Don't panic or despair. Let's look at how you can get out of this situation!

Where to start

So, how to inflate a mattress without a pump? The first thing that usually comes to mind is using the power of your own lungs. It is quite possible to pump up a small model without the use of additional equipment or devices.

Reference! Two adult men can inflate a mattress this way in about 20 minutes. When changing, do not forget to disinfect the valve hole!

However, it is worth understanding that for one person this is a rather complex process. Untrained lungs and heart can fail. The result is dizziness and increased blood pressure. In addition, it is unlikely that it will be possible to inflate the product to the optimal degree of density using the lungs alone.

Range of models

So, let's talk about the types of pumps that are equipped (or supplemented) with mattresses.

Built into the body

A very convenient solution for soft inflatable furniture. The device is built into the mattress, and there is no chance of losing it (or forgetting it at home). But this option has significant disadvantages. Firstly, the total weight of the product (mattress) is greater. Secondly, the higher price of the product. Thirdly, if the device fails, you will either have to scrap the mattress or purchase an additional external device.

Built-in pumps can be of two types:

• mechanical pump for a mattress (in this case, the product is inflated using rhythmic foot pressure);
• electric mattress pump (the most expensive models have the function of automatically maintaining pressure at the selected level).

Mechanical option

A mechanical pump, which comes as a separate item, is the most budget-friendly and, in some cases, a completely justified choice. It can be hand-held or foot-operated.

A manual mattress pump, as a rule, costs less, but it also requires much more physical effort than the foot version. Your back may become strained while using it. Typically, hand-held models are made of plastic, less often of metal. Due to its small size, the device has a small air pumping chamber, capable of pumping only 0.5 to 2 liters of air in one cycle.

A foot pump for a mattress is also called a “frog”. The device has greater weight and body size. The principle of operation is to rhythmically press the foot on the body. In terms of operation, this option is more convenient and comfortable than a manual one. Unlike the manual model, the foot model has a significantly larger chamber for pumping air. It can pump from 2 to 6 liters of air in one cycle. The increased permeability of the air volume accordingly increases the pumping speed.

Electric option

In terms of operation, this type is the most convenient. The pumping process only takes a couple of minutes. The dimensions of the device are slightly larger than those of mechanical analogues.

If you plan to use the pump while camping, you should make sure that the model you purchase can operate from a car cigarette lighter. If in the places where the device will be used it is not possible to connect to the network (220V) or to a car (12V), it is better to purchase a battery model. It can withstand about 3-4 pumping cycles, after which the battery should be recharged.

An even more autonomous option is a battery-powered pump. However, as mentioned above, the batteries run out quickly, so the efficiency of this model is a moot point.

Vacuum cleaner to the rescue

Using a regular household vacuum cleaner, you can quickly inflate even a large double mattress. But not any vacuum cleaner model is suitable for such a task, but only those that have a reverse function. Some models provide the ability to connect a hose to the outlet. In this case, all that is required is to connect the thin nozzle of the vacuum cleaner to the valve of the mattress, after which the vacuum cleaner can be turned on. Even if the valve and the vacuum cleaner nozzle have different diameters and some of the air escaping from the vacuum cleaner will “escape,” this will not prevent you from achieving the desired result.

Note! If the valve design does not provide protection against unplanned blowing, after turning off the vacuum cleaner, you should close the hole with a plug or lid as soon as possible.

Features when choosing a product

The modern market offers a wide range of air beds. They differ in color, shape, overall dimensions, material of manufacture, availability of additional accessories and price.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing a product, they not only focus on the price, but study its properties and characteristics, pay attention to the quality, and, if possible, read customer reviews.

What you need to know about an air mattress?

The color range of products is presented in transparent, light and dark tones. When using for swimming in water, it is better to select transparent objects; they allow you to examine the aquatic world. Light shades are suitable for a beach holiday. Direct sunlight is repelled from a light surface and does not lead to overheating. If you buy something for sleeping in an apartment or as an additional bedding for guests, it is recommended to choose dark colors.

According to the number of sleeping places (width), air beds are divided into the following types:

• 1 bedroom;
• 1.5 bedrooms;
• 2 bedrooms;
• Euro class.

Mattresses with 1 section have low stability and can tip over when the body turns. The height of the product varies between 13-25 cm, the length can be different, so for a comfortable stay, the item must be chosen according to the person’s height.

Inflatable items are made of PVC. There are simpler models, for example, made of smooth material. They are cheap, but the smoothness of the surface helps the bedding roll up consistently. High-quality products are made from expensive PVC or its derivatives, covered with a layer of flock. The top of the mattress becomes velvety, the bed does not slip. The product is easily washed from dirt and adheres hermetically in case of punctures.

An air bed can have headrests and armrests. Some modern models are made in the form of a sofa with high walls for the convenience and comfort of the vacationer. If there are no headrests, the mattresses are equipped with special pillows.

Use a hair dryer

If you are not sure that you can inflate the mattress using your lungs, and you don’t have a vacuum cleaner with a reverse air supply function, try using a hair dryer. The power of the electrical appliance is quite enough to inflate a mattress of any size. As with a vacuum cleaner, choose the most narrowly targeted nozzle that fits the valve diameter as closely as possible. For better “docking”, use adhesive tape or tape. With its help, you can fix the hair dryer and minimize the loss of supplied air.

What can you do?

In order for the mattress to acquire the desired shape without a specialized pump, you can first use the capabilities of your own lungs. That is, if there is a significant volume and physical strength, we inflate the mattress with our mouth. In the absence of the above criteria, as well as for those who are careful about their own lungs and eyes, in which blood vessels can burst from stress, it is worth using the help of a household vacuum cleaner.

It is worth remembering that back in Soviet times, when you could buy locally produced vacuum cleaners on domestic shelves, craftsmen used this equipment not only for its intended purpose. But, for example, for whitewashing, specialized attachments were attached to the pump. Today, this mechanism can successfully perform the functions of a compressor.

If you use a Rainbow brand pump instead of a built-in device for inflatable furniture. And also the attachments included with it, then there will be no problems with balls, spheres, rubber toys and, of course, sleeping air mattresses. All you need to do is select a thin attachment and attach it to the vacuum cleaner.

The degree of elasticity of an air mattress inflated using a third-party vacuum cleaner depends on several criteria. It is necessary to take into account not only the number of people who are going to rest comfortably on it, but also their total weight. If the number of people is not large and their weight is insignificant, then the degree of inflation of the mattress can be high.

If there are a lot of people and, accordingly, the weight will be expressed in significant digital indicators. Then filling inflatable furniture with air is not worth 100%. Experts say that resting on an air mattress with a significant number of people will be characterized by comfortable indicators when it is only inflated by 80-85 percent.

At this moment it is worth stopping the vacuum cleaner. It must be remembered that the recommended degree of filling of the mattress should not exceed ¾ of the volume of the cylinder. If this condition is left unattended, then the anticipation of a comfortable stay will remain so. Because the weight of the bodies will most likely tear the seams of the mattress. Even if they seemed the strongest.

If the number of people intending to relax on inflatable furniture does not exceed two, then the mattress filling rate of ¾ of its volume should be further reduced. Users should follow the same principle of filling the mattress if the cylinder was exposed to direct sunlight for a long period of time.

Big package

Quite an original, but working option for inflating a mattress. It is best to use a durable (and necessarily undamaged) plastic bag. This procedure can only be carried out with the participation of two people. To do this you need to do the following:

1. Open the valve on the mattress.
2. Fill the bag with air and quickly close it.
3. We adjust the bag to the valve and firmly fix it on the “neck”.
4. Air pumped from the bag into the mattress.

The action should be continued until the desired result is achieved.

Repair recommendations

Repairing an air mattress is fairly quick, without taking too much time or effort. Most materials can be found virtually at hand. So, patches that can be used to glue an air mattress are pieces of unnecessary old rubber toys, galoshes, oilcloths, etc.

It is important that your hands are clean before this process. Also take care of safety when performing the task.

If you are working with a strong enough glue, try to wear protective gloves to avoid having to scrub the glue off your hands.

How to prevent re-damage?

To prevent the mattress from tearing again in the same place, just completely follow the clear repair instructions

Also, be sure to be careful when sealing seams

Thus, preventive manipulations will protect the product from snags and repeated breakthrough at the same point. This will eliminate the possibility of repeated work to patch the hole.

Finally

We hope the article helped you decide on the question of how to seal an air mattress at home with your own hands.

As you can see, it is important to strictly follow the instructions presented above on how to properly repair a mattress. Thus, after repair, it is guaranteed to serve for several more years without the slightest failure, even with constant use.

If you have any other questions about this matter, watch the video on how to seal a hole in a mattress with your own hands:

How not to inflate a mattress

If you went out into the countryside and only there realized that the pump had failed or the device was left at home, do not rush to pump the product with exhaust gases. At first glance this may seem like a great idea. If you inflate the product in this way only once, nothing “deadly” will happen. But regular inflation of the mattress with exhaust gases can result in the destruction of the inflatable product.

The fact is that carcinogens have a detrimental effect on the structure of the material from which mattresses are made. In addition, during pumping, the person managing the process will inevitably inhale some of the carcinogens, which can be very harmful to health.

Safety and precautions

Carry out any manipulations with the inflatable item carefully and with caution so as not to damage it. Inspect the product in advance for defects, visible defects, and integrity of the coating material. To avoid damage to the frame and internal partitions, let air in and out slowly, without haste. If possible, use a built-in or external pump (electric, manual, foot). Prevent hot air from entering the frame so that the rubber does not dry out or crack.

Bottom line

You can use various items to inflate your mattress. In addition to dedicated electric pumps, you can use hand pumps, foot pumps, bicycle pumps, or even appliances such as hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, or leaf blowers.

If you don't have any, a simple old plastic bag will do the trick.

Reviews of related products:

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Psst...the sleep review industry is full of liars, sharks and thieves. It's a modern version of a robbery at a local mattress store. So why should you trust us?