Most homes have an air mattress knocking around somewhere. They’re perfect for whipping out when guests come over and it saves them from having to sleep on a rock-hard floor or a too-small sofa. Just like a regular mattress or foam mattress needs cleaning, so does an air mattress. They are prone to dirt and mould issues, especially if you take them with you on your camping trips. The best thing is to clean your air mattress after every use, but if that isn’t possible, once a month will do. But how do you clean an air mattress? Simply follow our tips to find out.
Your first thought may be to deflate the air mattress for easier cleaning, but it’s actually more effective if you leave it inflated. That way the surface is taut and there are no creases or wrinkles for dirt to hide in. Here’s how to get started:
There are many different types of air mattress - some you have to pump up yourself by attaching a foot pump, some come with a built-in pump, and some have to be connected to a power source. Remove the pump if it isn’t built in and make sure to disconnect any wires for safety reasons.
If the air mattress has a cover on it, take it off, and wash it.
It’s important to remove all visible dirt from the surface before you start wiping down the air mattress. If the dust isn’t vacuumed up, it’s just going to spread and leave stains all over the mattress once you start wiping it.
Take a soft, clean cloth, and dip it in a mix of warm water and mild soap. Start wiping the surface and look out for any stained areas that might need a bit more TLC. If the stains won’t budge with the soap, dip the cloth in rubbing alcohol, which can help remove even stubborn stains.
It’s important that the cloth is well wrung out so that no water gets inside the mattress. This is a surefire way of helping mould and bacteria form. Don’t forget to give the pump a wipe too as it may be dusty from sitting around unused for a while.
This tip might come in handy. Once you’ve finished cleaning the air mattress and have left it to air dry, take some bicarbonate of soda and sprinkle it all over the mattress’ surface. Wait a few minutes and then vacuum it up. This should suck up any odours lingering on the surface.
If you’ve noticed while cleaning your air mattress that mould has made itself at home on it, don’t worry – it won’t be there for much longer. Carry the mattress outside and let it sit in the sun. This will ensure any moisture inside is vaporised by the heat and any mould will be stopped in its tracks. In order to remove the mould, simply mix a cup of water and the same amount of vinegar and wipe it on the affected area. Leave a while to work its magic and then rinse off and leave to air dry.
Now you’ve got yourself a clean air mattress, you can start inviting overnight guests over once again! If you need some tips on how to clean your home in preparation for your guests, you might find our articles on how to clean a fabric couch and how to clean toilet stains useful. Be sure to register with Ask Team Clean today to get all the latest articles and exclusive deals sent to your email address before anyone else.