How To Repair A Vinyl Air Mattress

Learning how to repair a vinyl air mattress is a simple skill to master. In the long run, this skill can save you money and help you avoid the trouble of replacing your mattress on short notice.

To repair a vinyl air mattress, you will need:

• A patch kit
• Rubbing alcohol
• A spay bottle
• Water
• Dish soap
• A towel

1. Lay out the mattress to be repaired. Make sure you have plenty of room to work.
2. Find the leak. The most effective method to determine where the air mattress is losing air is to place a mixture of dish soap and water (with a ratio of 1:3) in a spray bottle and then systematically go over the entire mattress, paying close attention to the formation of bubbles. Each spot that forms bubbles should be marked. The marks can be made with chalk, markers or anything else that will remain in place long enough to patch the leak. Most leaks occur at the seams, so in the interest of saving time, check the seams and around the air valve first.
   
3. Clean the area to be repaired with alcohol and dry with towel. This will ensure the best environment to repair your vinyl air mattress.
   
4. Select a patch or sealant. Next comes the time factor. How much time do you have before you need to use the air mattress? This will determine what kind of patch is needed. One of the cheapest solutions is vinyl tape. It is the quickest to apply but is frequently only a temporary fix. A variety of other products are available as well, so be sure to pick the one that best suits your needs.
   
5. Apply the patch of choice as directed and allow to cure for as long as possible. If there are jagged edges on the mattress, these need to be trimmed to a smooth edge. The patch will also need to have smooth edges; no square sides!

If possible, test the seal before using the air mattress. You now have all the information you need on how to repair a vinyl air mattress.