DIY & Eco-Friendly Fix for a Hole in an Air Mattress

Do you want to learn how to fix a hole in an air mattress? While you may be stuck for ideas, we have plenty of useful and eco-friendly methods for you to try.

Both compact and easy to store away, air mattresses are handy for a variety of situations. Whether you take an air mattress on regular outdoor tips or keep it on hand in case you need a spare bed, it’s a great item to own.

While air mattresses are great for a variety of scenarios, they can still come with annoying complications, such as holes or tears. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to fix a hole in an air mattress.    Let’s take a look at an eco-friendly fix for a hole in your air mattress, that you can do straight from the comfort of your own home. 

How to Fix a Hole in an Air Mattress

To fix a hole in your air mattress, you will need the following items: 

• Cleaning towel or sponge
• Sandpaper
• Old leftover material such as an old piece of a shower curtain or pool liner 
• Adhesive 
• A heavy, flat object 

Once you have all your items gathered, you are ready to fix the hole in your air mattress. Follow the instructions below:

1. Locate the hole: First, you should identify where the hole in your mattress is. You can do so by inflating the mattress and trying to listen to where the leak is. Once located, mark the spot with a marker pen to come back to later. 
2. Clean: Using a cloth, clean the surface around the hole with some eco-friendly dish soap or detergent to ensure your patch will stick correctly. If your air mattress is covered in material, wet the area and sand it down gently. Clean after you’ve finished this step. 
3. Cut & cure: Once the area is clean and dry, cut a patch of your leftover material that covers at least half an inch more than the hole in every direction. Apply the adhesive on the patch and around the hole and cover. Add pressure using a heavy object and leave to cure. You can remove the object once the hole is tightly sealed. If you don’t have any suitable leftover material, you can always try using duct tape as a last resort.    
4. Test: Reinflate your mattress and see if your DIY patch worked. 

While you can use patch kits, it is always better to see if you have any leftover material that can be used. Repairing items and reusing old materials is kinder to the planet and more eco-friendly as it generates less waste. 

Tip: When shopping for an air mattress, you should try and find one that is PVC free. Instead, look for TPU, as it is more environmentally friendly. 

How to Safely Dispose of an Air Mattress

If your air mattress is well and truly beyond the point of repair, then you are probably considering the best way to dispose of it. One option is to upcycle your old air mattress. For example, you could cut it open and use it as a painting tarp when you’re decorating, or to patch leaks on other air mattresses you may have. The options are endless if you’re feeling creative.

While it may seem counterintuitive, you can also throw it in the trash — but this is really a last resort. You should always try upcycling and fixing your air mattress first. Generally, air mattresses are difficult to recycle due to the materials that they are made from. You can also contact local recycling centers to see if they would accept them. However, it really depends on who you contact. 

Read more: 

• Got a Drafty Door? How to Find the Cause and 6 Ways to Fix It
• How to Clean a Mattress Topper the Eco-Friendly Way
• How to Clean Your Mattress: DIY Tips and Tricks

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