Have you ever gotten to your fully inflated and firm air bed only to wake up in a soggy and soft bed the next morning? If this is a common occurrence for you, you might be wondering Why Do Air Mattresses Deflate Overnight.
To be honest, it’s normal for an air mattress to deflate a bit overnight, and it’s all due to three reasons – its design (no air mattress is airtight), the temperature changes throughout the night, and the pressure put on it (a.k.a. your bodyweight).
But if your mattress deflates a lot overnight, there might be other reasons why it does.
So why does an air mattress deflate overnight?
Let’s find out the answer in this article!
Do Air Mattresses Deflate Overnight? | Reasons
Do air mattresses lose air overnight? Yes, but only a bit.
If your air mattress deflates overnight to the point that it goes soft, there might be some reasons why:
Hole or Puncture
If the hole or puncture in the air mattress is a bit big, your mattress will deflate fast.
The good news is you can easily confirm this since you’ll hear the air escaping from the said hole.
But if the hole or puncture is just a small one, finding it can be a big challenge.
Lucky for you, there are plenty of ways to find the hole in your air mattress. (1)
To avoid this, make sure to keep sharp objects away from your mattress.
Pump Leak
When you pump air into the air bed, the air pressure might compromise the integrity of the connection between the air mattress and the internal pump.
It may weaken that area and eventually a tiny leak that may become bigger as time goes by.
Leak in the Seams
As mentioned, no air bed, no matter how smart its design is.
If you can’t find any holes in the body of your mattress, the problem will most likely be a leak at its seams since these parts of the air beds are subject to constant stretching.
Unfortunately, fixing the air mattress leak in the seams is not as easy as patching up air holes in the body of the air mattress.
This is because the patches won’t stay in place due to many stretching that the seams are subjected to.
Temperature Changes
Temperature changes can and will affect the amount of air pressure inside your air mattress.
For example, at night, when the temperature is a lot lower, condensation may occur inside the mattress and cause it to sag.
Misuse
You must make sure that you follow all the instructions on how to inflate the air mattress properly.
Unfortunately, we tend to carry out the process at times based on how we think it should be done.
Unfortunately, we skip out some of the essential instructions to ensure that the air mattress will stay inflated at all times.
To avoid this, always check out the instructions manual before you start inflating your air bed.
Weight Overload
When there’s too much pressure on the bed, the PVC material might stretch too much to the point that it will lose its pressure, leading to deflation of the air mattress.
This is why mattresses come with weight limits, so it’s essential to make sure that you use a mattress that can accommodate your body weight.
Loss of Air from Pump
If you’re using an external pump for your mattress, the mattress will lose air every time you detach the pump.
It’s a given, and you can’t do anything about it.
The best way to address this is to replace your air mattress with one that has a built-in pump.
Nozzle Damage
Here’s another issue you might encounter when using an external pump for an air mattress. The nozzle or the area where you attach your external pump may get damaged over time due to its consistent pressure.
Additionally, the nozzle might become loose since it’s opened and closed regularly.
You must check the nozzle regularly, and if you detect a leak, you should address it immediately by placing duct tape over it.
How to Keep Air Mattress from Deflating?
No one wants to wake up on a deflated, soggy, and soft air bed.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of reasons why it happens to an air mattress.
The good news is there are plenty of ways on how to prevent your air mattress from deflating. Here are some of them:
Fold the bed carefully
Most of the holes and punctures in the body of the bed are caused by the improper storage and folding of the air mattress.
The good news is most air mattresses include folding instructions in their manuals to help you prolong the life and protect the quality of your air mattress.
When it comes to folding air beds, the rule of thumb is to avoid folding the mattress on its ridges to prevent tears and punctures.
If there’s enough storage space in your home, you can also try rolling the air mattress instead.
Lie flat on your air bed
This may sound like weird advice since most people find lying flat to be uncomfortable.
However, this sleeping position will prevent you from applying too much pressure on one spot of the air mattress, causing it to weaken and may lead to punctures and holes over time.
Read Also: How To Get Blood Stains Out Of Your Air Mattress
When you lie flat, the amount of pressure you put on the air mattress will be evenly spread on a wider and larger area, minimizing the risk of tears.
Inflate your bed in the right place
Before inflating your air mattress, you should inspect the area first.
Then, make sure that the area is large enough to accommodate the air mattress.
But more than that, you should look out for any sharp objects that may poke holes at your air mattress.
If you plan on using the mattress outdoors, make sure to clear the ground of any sharp objects or stones.
Air your mattress out for a few days
During the first few days, your air bed will expand and stretch slightly and slowly.
After a few nights, it will be able to stretch to its maximum capacity.
To avoid significant deflation, it’s recommended that you avoid sleeping in your fully inflated air mattress so there will be no pressure that will prevent it from expanding to its full capacity.
Additionally, airing out the air mattress for a few days will also allow the chemical odors to dissipate, so it will be odor-free once you start sleeping on it.
Go for a mattress with a dual-pump system
One of the best features that you can ever find in high-end air mattress models is the dual-pump system.
This innovative feature is designed to keep your mattress fully inflated throughout the night.
The mattresses come with a second pump that can detect air loss and automatically add air as needed.
Maintain constant temperature inside your room
As mentioned, cold temperatures promote condensation, and condensation leads to air loss.
With that said, any change in temperature (from hot to cold) may lead to a slight loss of air.
To avoid this, it’s best that you place a portable heater near your bed but not too close as heat might damage the PVC cover of the bed.
Another great option is to inflate your air mattress a few hours before bedtime so it can adjust accordingly to the room temperature.
Patch up the holes
If you detect any holes or punctures in the body of your air mattress, you need to patch it right away before it gets even bigger.
You can do this by using the patch repair kit that is included in most mattresses.
If your mattress doesn’t have one, you can use a bike tire patch kit instead.
If you have already detected the presence of holes but don’t have a patch kit on hand, avoid sleeping on the air mattress because the pressure from your body weight will cause the hole to become bigger.
It’s a must that you fix the hole first before using the bed.
FAQs
Why does my air bed lose air overnight?
It can be frustrating to wake up to a deflated air mattress in the morning. Air mattresses may lose air overnight due to various factors. One common reason is the natural escape of air from the mattress. Over time, even properly inflated air beds can experience a gradual loss of air due to the permeability of the air mattress material and the microscopic size of air molecules. Additionally, external factors such as temperature changes can cause the air inside the mattress to expand or contract, leading to deflation.
What can cause air leaks in an air mattress?
Air leaks are a frequent culprit of air mattress deflation. These leaks can occur due to several reasons. One possibility is a puncture or tear in the mattress material caused by sharp objects like pet’s claws or accidental contact with a sharp edge. Another common cause is faulty seams or stitching, which can gradually weaken over time or due to excessive pressure. Additionally, the air valve may be the source of the leakage if it is not properly sealed or has a defect.
How can I locate and fix air leaks in my air mattress?
Locating and repairing air leaks in an air mattress can help prevent overnight deflation. To locate air escaping leaks, you can use a soapy water solution. Inflate the mattress and apply the solution to the surface, paying attention to the seams, valves, and other vulnerable areas. If there’s a leak, you will see bubbles forming at the site. Once you’ve identified the leak, carefully dry the area and use an appropriate repair method, such as a patch kit or adhesive, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Are there any preventive measures to keep my air mattress from deflating overnight?
While it may not be possible to completely eliminate air loss, you can take certain precautions to minimize the deflation of your air mattress. First, make sure you are not exceeding the weight limits specified by the manufacturer. Overloading the mattress can strain the seams and increase the likelihood of leaks. Avoid placing the mattress in direct sunlight or exposing it to extreme temperatures, as these conditions can affect the air inside. Additionally, be cautious with sharp objects around the mattress, and avoid sitting or playing on the mattress with excessive force.
What should I do if my air mattress deflates overnight and I can’t find any visible leaks?
If your air mattress deflates overnight and you can’t locate any visible leaks, there may be unseen leaks or micro punctures that are difficult to detect. In such cases, you can try submerging the mattress in water (if suitable for the material) and looking for air bubbles to escape. Alternatively, you may contact the manufacturer or consult a sleep products expert, such as a certified sleep science coach, who can provide guidance on troubleshooting and potential solutions.
Final Words
Why do air mattresses inflate overnight? It’s normal for a mattress to deflate overnight because of the amount of pressure it receives when you lay down on it.
But if the overnight air loss is significant, there might be other issues that you need to address right away.
To prevent your air mattress from deflating, proper care and maintenance are needed.
You also have to pay extra attention to your surroundings and the storage and handling of the mattress.
Keep in mind that air mattresses are more fragile than other types of air mattresses.
The good news is you can prevent it from deflating and even prolong its life by following all the tips we’ve shared with you.
