An inflatable mattress is such a dynamic piece of furniture.
Depending on its size, you can use it indoors or out.
For example, a twin-size low-profile alternative may be taken on camping vacations or rolled up and set away as a guest bed for your visitors, which you can quickly build on the living room floor.
Similarly, some people lay them across the back seat of their car for road trips, which is far more comfortable than sleeping in the car seat.
Unfortunately, the same versatility also makes it prone to dirt and stubborn stains.
If you find yourself with a dirty air mattress, this article will provide a step-by-step to properly clean your air mattress and even remove that adamant dried blood stain.
Get the Mattress Ready
Begin by inflating the mattress, so the pressure evens out the surfaces and releases creases.
To remove stuck dirt, you should use a strong vacuum cleaner; however, a portable model will suffice if it’s what you have.
A more powerful vacuum helps you avoid embedding loose debris or dust in delicate textiles or non-woven textile surfaces.
Unfortunately, scrubbing dirt drives particles deeper into the cloth, making stains and other issues more difficult to remove.
This is why using a vacuum cleaner is more advised.
Step 1:
Now that your air mattress is free from unwanted debris, it’s now ready for deeper cleaning.
Sprinkle a layer of baking soda and let it sit for 3-5 minutes.
While you don’t have to cover the whole mattress, make sure the stained or soiled area is covered completely.
Step 2:
You’ll want to make a non-harmful cleaning solution.
Fortunately, this can be done using readily available home materials.
For blood stains, the standard cleaning solutions are:
- One part baking soda mixed with two parts water
- One cup (235 ml) of cold water mixed with two teaspoons (10 ml) of dishwashing liquid
- Fresh lemon juice mixed with a pinch of salt
For other kinds of stains, the following solutions are also commonly used:
- Mild soap and warm water
- Rubbing alcohol mixed in warm water (excellent for mildew)
- Half-and-half vinegar-to-water mixture (perfect for mold).
You can also use commercial disinfectants to clean your mattress; however, it is better to consult your user manual or contact the maker of your airbed for recommended treatments.
Step 3:
After deciding on the best solution for your mattress’s material, finishing the cleaning procedure in a warm, dry, and well-lit location is advisable.
It will not only shorten the drying process but will also aid in preventing further mold or mildew growth.
Wipe off all smooth plastic or rubber surfaces with a clean cloth dampened with your mixture.
Don’t be afraid to rigorously remove stains in these areas, as air mattresses are designed to resist more than usual stress.
When removing stains from fabric surfaces, make little circular motions, working your way inside.
Word of Warning: It is critical to handle velvet or velour surfaces with care.
Tip: Try not to soak the cloth too much.
It is recommended to squeeze out as much liquid as possible before wiping off a surface.
Doing so helps to avoid moisture buildup, which leads to mold and other microorganisms.
Step 4:
It is easiest to dry your mattress outside on a warm, sunny day.
While UV radiation may be harmful to materials if exposed for extended periods of time, the ambient outside temperatures and moisture distribution are unrivaled.
If it’s not possible (due to weather or living situations) to leave an air mattress outside to dry, the next best option is to position the airbed near a dehumidifier to dry.
It is essential to ensure that your mattress is thoroughly dry before storing it.
Why You Should Clean Your Air Mattress
Because of the nature of these temporary sleeping solutions, owners will frequently want to store airbeds as soon as they are put up.
They are often held without the care and attention required to avoid smells, mildew, and stains.
Air mattresses are a breeding ground for germs because of their interaction with the skin, sweat, dust mites, and moisture.
Molds thrive in dark areas like basements or similar storage areas.
So when an air mattress is stored in a dark basement or storage facility, the mold growth risk increases.
Because of oversights like this, many airbeds will acquire smells over months to years (depending on the frequency of usage) and will not serve their lifespan usefulness.
Owners should wash their air mattresses after each usage or at least once a season to guarantee they get the most out of them and don’t waste money buying a new one.
Removing Blood from Your Air Matאress – Conclusion
Owning an air mattress has many benefits, from convenience to comfort and even affordability.
But this comes with the responsibility of keeping them in good shape so you could enjoy them for longer.
As owners, you are responsible for ensuring that the air mattress is clean.
If you use it regularly, it is even more frequent cleaning sessions are necessary.
Cleaning the air mattress is cheap and easy, but you need to allot time to do so.
Maybe that can be a good weekend activity on your next day off work.
