How to repair an inflatable mattress

Inflatable mattresses, commonly known as air beds or air mattresses, are handy for impromptu sleepovers and camping weekends. Yet they’re notorious for getting punctures when you least expect it. A pin prick could be enough to create a hole in your air mattress that can guarantee a poor night's sleep.

If you’ve noticed your air mattress sagging recently, a tear is the most likely explanation. Tears appear most often around the seams or towards the bottom and, frustratingly, a small puncture is enough to let air escape. It’s a common problem, so it’s good to know how to fix a hole in an air mattress should the problem arise!

In this article, we'll guide you through the best way to patch an air mattress using Bostik's ultra strong, reliable duct tape – so you can say hello to repairing inflatable mattresses, the simple way.

Why repair an air bed hole?

Instead of choosing to repair an inflatable mattress, it's easy to think that you can just buy a new one. However, that air bed could develop a puncture too! We believe it's better to know how to patch an air bed puncture to avoid contributing to today's use-and-throw-away world, and to help make your items last longer.

With Bostik's Max Repair and Universal Repair Tape, creating repairs around the home has never been easier. Both types of tape are high strength, long-lasting and can be used for immediate fixes on most materials around the home. For indoor projects, choose Universal Repair Tape and for outdoor projects or those that require something a little more heavy-duty, go for Max Repair Tape.

So, let's get into it…

What you will need

Difficulty

Average time

10-25 mins

Cost

Print version!

Instructions

Step 1: Locate and clean the tear

Before you can get to work on cleaning the punctured area, finding the tear can often be a longer, more frustrating process than initially anticipated. If the tear isn’t visible, there are a couple of options you can try to locate the problem:

Listen and feel for the tear:

Inflate the air bed fully and press down on it, listening carefully for a faint hissing sound. Run your hand slowly over the surface to feel for air escaping.

Soapy water method:

Mix water with some washing-up liquid in a spray bottle or bowl. Apply the mixture over the surface of the inflated air bed. Look for bubbles forming which will indicate the puncture.

Once you've determined the location of the puncture, you should wipe the area clean of dirt, dust or debris - and soap, depending on if you used this method to locate the tear!

Step 2: Tear a piece of tape

Measure the tear and shear a piece of tape by hand. The tape should be about 1 inch longer than the tear. Avoid touching the adhesive side of the tape to avoid affecting performance.

Step 3: Secure your tape in place

Bring the torn edges together and press the tape down firmly over it. For long tears start at one end and move your hand down the length of the tape while continuing to press firmly to trigger the adhesive reaction.

Good to know

We recommend pressing the tape into place for approximately 30 seconds to activate the adhesive. It is ready for use immediately, but the adhesive will attain its full strength after 24 hours of curing.

Step 4: Ta-da!

You've now learnt how to repair an inflatable mattress. Fill with air until its fully inflated and the repair is holding firm - it's now ready for use!
To help the repair tape stay effective long-term, avoid placing the inflatable mattress on sharp or rough surfaces to prevent future damage.

Final Thoughts

Repairing an inflatable mattress is just the beginning. Our Bostik repair tapes are versatile solutions to also fix punctures in inflatable pools, bouncy castles, and other similar items.

Beyond inflatables, it’s also a handy fix for small rips or tears in household items like outdoor cushions, vinyl furniture, or even waterproof covers. With a strong, flexible hold, both the Max Repair and Universal Repair Tape offers a quick, reliable way to extend the life of everyday items - saving you time, money, and hassle.