How to Store an Air Mattress

Buy an Air Mattress Once and Learn to Keep it Forever

Your air mattress can make your camping or overnight experience a delight, or a disaster. It is disheartening to unpack an air mattress only to discover that the way it was stored damaged the mattress and it will no longer hold air or is covered in mold. Worse still is discovering that you cannot use your air mattress late at night when the stores are closed or when you are miles from civilization. Learning how to store an air mattress properly can prevent damage from happening to this piece of camping equipment.

Things You'll Need

• 2 clean cloths
• Disinfectant spray
• Small broom
• Twine
• Trash bag

Instructions

1. Deflate the air mattress completely. While the air mattress is deflating, start rolling the mattress from the end opposite the air plug; this will help force the air out.

2. Lay the deflated air mattress flat on a clear area of ground or floor. Sweep the space first, if necessary, to ensure the area is free of debris that could stick to your air mattress.

3. Sweep the air mattress itself. Do one side and then turn the air mattress over and sweep the other. Sweep from the center of the mattress out toward the edges with short, strong strokes so any debris present on the mattress is thrown clear.

4. Hold your disinfectant spray about 12 inches from the surface of the air mattress and spray the disinfectant into the air over the mattress; do not spray the mattress directly. Let the spray dry then turn the mattress over and spray the other side. Let that side dry.

5. Wipe both sides of the mattress with one of the clean cloths. Inspect the mattress to make sure the surface is free of all debris and is completely dry. Wrap the other cloth around the air plug to form a cushion so its hard parts will not rub against the rubber of the mattress when it is rolled.

6. Roll the mattress into a tight cylinder, starting at the end furthest from the airplug. Keep pressing down as you roll so the mattress remains as small as possible.

7. Hold the completely rolled mattress with one hand so it does not unroll and wrap twine around each end and the middle. Tie the twine to hold the mattress in its rolled shape.

8. Place the rolled mattress in a trash bag and wrap the trash bag tightly around the mattress. Tie the trash bag closed with a piece of twine and place the bundle in a dry place.

Tips & Warnings

• Cut the four pieces of twine before you begin to roll your air mattress; this will make it easier to hold and tie the mattress.

• Do not use duct tape to hold your mattress in a roll, this will damage the rubber of the mattress.

Resources

• Different Types of Air Mattresses