How to Repair the Fabric Side of an Air Mattress

An air mattress comes in handy when you have unexpected houseguests, and it can save your back when you are sleeping in a tent. Many brands of air mattresses offer models with a fabric cover that provide warmth and comfort to the sleeper. A tear or small hole in a fabric-covered air mattress will occur when the unit is improperly cared for or comes in contact with a sharp object, such as a rock. You'll have to repair the air mattress or you may wake up to find that all the air has leaked away.

2 tbsp. liquid dish soap
1/4 gallon water
Bucket
Rag
Duct tape
Towel
Urethane repair sealant

Instructions

- 1
  Inflate the air mattress and close the valve tightly to ensure that no air is leaking out of the valve.
- 2
  Lay the air mattress on a flat surface, such as a garage floor. Inspect the area for any sharp objects before laying the air mattress down.
- 3
  Prepare a mixture of 2 tbsp. liquid dish soap and 1/4 gallon water in a bucket.
- 4
  Wet a rag with the soapy water and wipe a generous amount of the liquid onto the top of the air mattress.
- 5
  Apply pressure to various areas of the air mattress. If there is a tear or hole, the soapy water on top of the mattress will begin to bubble. Mark any air bubbles you notice with a small piece of duct tape.
- 6
  Wipe down the fabric side of the air mattress with a towel to remove any remaining liquid.
- 7
  Locate all of the small tears or holes. Cover them with a light coating of a urethane repair sealant, such as Aquaseal.
- 8
  Allow the urethane sealant to dry for 24 to 48 hours before using the air mattress.

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