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Most homes have an air mattress hanging 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., but they do need cleaning. They are prone to dirt, especially if you take them with you on your camping trips or stuff them away in the attic for long periods of time. 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 mattresses—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. Make sure to follow any manufacturer instructions to avoid shrinking or damaging the cover.
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, such as Dial® Antibacterial Liquid Hand 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, as this would be a surefire way of helping mold 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 baking soda and sprinkle it all over the mattress’ surface. Wait a few minutes and then vacuum it up. This should suck up any odors lingering on the surface.
Now that you’ve got yourself a clean air mattress, you can start inviting overnight guests over once again! Get the rest of the how ready with a little bit of dusting–here’s a quick guide for the best results. Be sure to register with Ask Team Clean today to get all the latest articles and exclusive deals sent to your email address.