Air mattresses typically provide a comfortable night’s sleep. However, there are a few pain points that an air mattress can present.
We have some great tips on setting one up, so you wake up rested and recharge the following day!
Many of us have, at some point in our lives, slept on an air mattress while camping, sleeping over at someone’s house, or as a temporary bed when moving. Then a select few opt to sleep full-time on one. It might surprise you that the air mattress has existed since the 1800s!
The concept of sleeping on a “cloud” of adjustable firmnesses sold consumers long ago to trade in their traditional heavyweight cotton mattresses for a lightweight option.
Today, an air mattress is not only used when camping or for overnight guests, but the medical industry uses it for patients who are bedridden or recovering.
Why Aren’t Some Air Mattresses Comfortable?
Because an air mattress is so lightweight, it tends to slide easily when getting onto it or turning over.
Sliding extends over to sheets coming off due to lack of a proper fit, or they don’t have something to grip onto.
Perhaps the biggest complaint regarding sleeping on this type of mattress is waking up to little or no air left inside one. During the colder months, air mattresses can be pretty cold. Air offers no insulation when the mattress is on a cold floor or ground.
So, how do we stay warm on something that won’t deflate or slide around while keeping the bed linens intact?
Don’t Skimp On Bed Linens
Whether camping, having a guest over, or using an air mattress temporarily or full-time, having lovely bed linens is a must! A bed is only as comfortable and plush as the bed linens you place on it.
Mattress Topper
Adding a lush, plump, comfortable air mattress topper is a must to stay warm and to be comfortable. For the colder climates or seasons, a down-filled topper provides a toasty insulation barrier between you and the mattress.
Sheets
Unfortunately, some raised air mattresses lack the form a fitted sheet requires to hug to stay on. In cases like this, you can purchase a deep-pocket (up to 21”) fitted sheet covering the entire mattress.
Trust us; if you try putting a standard-size fitted sheet on a raised air mattress, you will fight with it all night!
Comforter
Your comforter and sheets will make a big difference in your sleep quality. Use the appropriate weight of comfort for the season.
Remember, think plush regardless of the season, and be sure the comforter adequately covers the air mattress.
Pillows
If there’s one thing we know, built-in pillows on air mattresses are less than ideal. They are uncomfortable.
Fluffy pillows will cradle your neck and head the right way. Pillows can easily slip off the mattress, so to prevent this, we recommend purchasing a mattress with a built-in headboard, placing the head of the mattress against a wall, the back of a sofa, or a tent wall.
Create An Anti-Slide Surface On The Bottom Of Your Air Mattress
Air mattresses notoriously slip and slide because the bottom side has nothing to grip. Plastic is slippery on any surface, whether it’s carpeting, wood, linoleum, or a tent floor.
We have an ingenious way to put a stop to the sliding!
Use a thick non-skid carpet pad/underlay for hard floors. These pads are easy to cut to size and fold up nicely to store. If you take it camping, any dirt can easily be washed off because it’s waterproof.
Purchase An Air Mattress With Never Flat Technology
Some of us have dealt with the dreadful, slow, leaking air mattress. Waking up to a deflated bed and a sore back is very unpleasant.
It’s a given that any mattress will lose air. Several factors encourage deflation.
- Pinholes cause slow air leakage.
- Cold or high altitude environments.
- Cold temperatures cause the air to condense, resulting in air loss.
- Air is much thinner at higher altitudes resulting in air loss.
- Weight and position on the mattress.
- Mattresses have weight limits. Too much weight causes air loss.
- Sitting on the edge of the mattress can cause air loss.
- Haphazard folding of a mattress causes pinholes.
- Air mattresses should be carefully folded and stored in a proper bag to avoid damage to the overall integrity of the mattress.
There’s an affordable option and not nearly as costly as a sleep number bed. The Never Flat pump works all night to keep the mattress consistently inflated silently.
Many of your higher-end airbed systems have similar secondary pumps that maintain inflation.
Raising The Mattress Off The Ground Keeps You Warm
Air mattresses come in either a single or raised design. Raised air mattresses are taller in height to get you up and off the cold floor/ground while making it easier to get in and out of bed.
The single mattresses are low and not much taller than 10”. Because these are lower and closer to the ground/floor, raising them up will keep you warmer. The warmer your mattress stays, the less air it will lose.
So, how do you raise an air mattress up on the floor/ground? An air mattress foundation/base is perfect for getting your bed up and off the floor/ground.
Air mattresses on frames are great for supporting your air mattress. For camping, you can use folding cots or an inflatable bed base.
Choose Your Desired Level Of Firmness
One of the pros of using an air mattress is the ability to add or subtract air to make the bed exactly as firm as you want.
This one’s pretty simple but stops inflating the air mattress as soon as you get it to the point you prefer. Alternatively, open the valve and let the air out if it’s a little bit too firm…simple as that.
Add Complimenting Comforts
If you are camping or having overnight visitors, create a homey, welcoming retreat for sleep by adding a few elements.
So, you have that fluffy bed all complete with marshmallow-like bedding; before you or your guests sink into that relaxing goodness, don’t forget just a few more things.
Get A Headboard
Either that or just put the air mattress against the wall. Just something for your pillows to rest against…sleeping on an air mattress without a headboard feels like you’re on an island, and it doesn’t let you use the entire air mattress since you have to worry about pillows falling off.
Bedside Table
Place a small bedside table or make-shift table (box, ice chest, stacked luggage) within arm’s reach of the mattress.
Add Lighting
Add a small lamp (battery or electric), a bottle of water, a few tissues dotted with lavender, a small flashlight, and an interesting book for bedtime reading.
Get A Rug
Put a small foot rug just next to the mattress for bare feet to enjoy.
Install A Power Strip
It’s pretty inconvenient to sleep on an air mattress and not have anywhere to charge your phone or laptop. A cheap power strip beside the bed can help visitors easily charge their devices.
In Summary
We hope our tips have given you some valuable information on taking a simple air mattress and making it a cloud of comfort.
By adding these little touches, you will surely find sweet slumber in the air!
