An inflatable mattress is both an additional sleeping place and a useful accessory for recreation in nature, the river, or the sea. It is convenient to store and move, easy to use, but it also has a significant drawback. If handled carelessly, or by pure accident, the mattress may be damaged. Unfortunately, even the smallest hole causes the mattress to deflate and make it unusable. What to do, how to correct the situation on our own?
Materials and manufacturing process
When buying a mattress, it is important to know what materials it is made from. Quality and wear resistance depend on these factors. Most air mattresses are made from polyvinyl chloride. This material is famous for its strength and elasticity, so it is perfect for making these devices. For comfort, Intex and Bestway air mattresses have a pleasant-to-touch coating - flock. The tactile sensations of this material are similar to delicate velor. Such a delicate terry covering will not allow the bed linen to slip off.
This complex and high-tech work involves many scientists and enterprise workers who control the processes and take direct part in them. Working machines and machines are programmed for specific tasks and do not allow errors. Every detail of the mattress is carefully checked before being included in the design of the product. First, the material itself is made, which is removed from many stirrings and tested for heat resistance. At the same time, the internal design of the product is also carried out. The partitions inside the mattress can be different. Orthopedic mattresses for sleeping are made using a slightly different technology, taking into account the structural features.
DIY air mattress
Hi all!
I’m new here and have been thinking for a long time about what first entry to make. I decided to tell you about our stroller =)
— large wheels to make it comfortable to drive not only on cleared sidewalks, but also in the snow (the baby was expected in late November - early December)
- a large cradle so that the child has room in there even in winter overalls and can be covered with a blanket for insulation
- a high frame and the ability to adjust the height of the handle so as not to spoil your posture (I often see very low strollers on the streets, and while mothers more or less walk with them, then dads crochet)
These were my main parameters. The Noordi Polaris Sport was perfect for them, so I chose it. Now let's go through each point)
1. Design
It is available in 6 colors, some are girly, some are boyish and some are neutral. I took the chocolate-turquoise one for the reason that the chocolate color is not easily soiled, and the turquoise will add a touch of brightness, which I cannot live without =) The inside of the stroller is white with peach-colored stars, which immediately creates a feeling of purity and tenderness. The stroller has very beautiful, expensive looking inflatable wheels that make it very stylish. When we unpacked it, my husband immediately checked out the “discs” =) In general, I really like the laconic, stylish design, nothing superfluous, but at the same time it looks very beautiful and expensive.
2. Patency
As I already said, the stroller has large wheels. They are really large, which makes it easy to overcome tram tracks, railway crossings and simply cracks on our traditionally not very smooth asphalt. In addition, the wheels are inflatable, which, together with shock-absorbing springs in the frame and a soft coconut mattress, creates such smooth movement that it is not scary to carry even a week-old child. You can drive onto small curbs without even lifting the front wheels. Plus, if you bump into some kind of obstacle, the front wheels will gently spring back, because there is an anti-shock system. I really like this, because sometimes in life I don’t fit into doorways, let alone a stroller)) And so the child is safe, even if the mother is a bad driver =) Another huge plus is the swivel front wheels. You can fix them if you want, but I don't do that. At first I was afraid that the stroller would be pulled to the side, because I once had the opportunity to push a friend’s stroller with swivel wheels, and it constantly wobbled back and forth, which seemed terribly inconvenient to me. But the Noordi Polaris apparently has excellent balancing - I calmly carry the stroller with one hand while chatting on the phone, and it doesn’t skid anywhere. But when I fully load the stroller (child + 10 kg bag of groceries), I can turn it with one hand without any problems. Very maneuverable!
3. Comfort for the child
I repeat, the stroller’s cradle is large, which I really like. The baby is almost 4 months old, winter is not over yet, he rides around in my bulky winter overalls, and I still have enough space to sometimes put a folded blanket at his feet! So even if you are expecting a large baby, you will not have to transfer to the walking block ahead of time. The cradle has a breathable coconut mattress, at the bottom of the cradle you can open the ventilation (this is important for summer children). There is also a mosquito net sewn into the secret pocket, which can be pulled up during a summer walk in the park. I haven’t found it useful yet, because in winter, thank God, there are no mosquitoes =) But I almost always open the ventilation window in the hood: firstly, there is more fresh air. Secondly, our meager St. Petersburg sun sometimes shines through it. Thirdly, through this window the baby looks around. By the way, the bottom of the cradle rises at an angle, which allows the child to look at the world around him. I began to actively use this function when the child was three months old.
4. Transportation
The stroller is easy to disassemble. It is convenient to remove the cradle from the frame by pressing the fasteners on the sides, and there is a handle on the top of the hood, which can be used to carry the cradle directly with the child. The frame itself folds with the press of a button. Both the cradle and the frame easily fit into the trunk of our sedan, and the assembly and disassembly process takes about two minutes.
5. Additional benefits
The handle of the stroller is adjustable by pressing a button, so my husband and I adjust it to suit ourselves. At the bottom of the stroller there is a spacious “basket”, where I constantly put groceries and parcels from the post office. I don’t like stroller models that have almost no space underneath for bags and packages - it’s stupid to carry something when you can carry it. The stroller also has a cup holder that is attached to the handle, and a spacious bag with internal compartments and special fastenings for hanging it on the handle. I have seen buttons on the bag on other strollers and I know that they tend to unfasten while moving when there is something heavy in the bag. And this bag will definitely not come unfastened, even if you put a brick in it =) There is a reflective strip on the front of the stroller.
Overall: I’m delighted with our stroller; after several months of using it, I haven’t found any cons and I’m very pleased with my choice! I’m updating my review, now I want to tell you about the walking block!
Comfort:
We switched to a walker at 6 months because the child began to be capricious in the cradle due to the fact that he could not see enough. But at that moment he was not sitting yet, so I first used the seat in a lying position, and also set the backrest at an angle of 45 degrees. The seat has a soft pad and five-point adjustable seat belts. There is a warm, waterproof and windproof cover for your feet, which is a great saver in bad weather. By the way, I got caught in a downpour. The footrest is adjustable while I raise it completely, it’s more comfortable for the child, then I lower it completely when he’s already running. The walking block can be installed facing you or facing away from you! For now I have installed it facing me, but later I will place it away from me.
Mobility: The stroller can be folded without removing the stroller!!! This is convenient for storing the stroller and for transporting it in the trunk! And, of course, the walking block is lighter and more compact than the cradle. We store the stroller frame on the stairs, since there is no room at home, but we remove the stroller unit and take it home. The fasteners snap easily into place, so I have no problem putting the unit back on the frame before each outing.
Additionally: The canopy can be completely folded back, it has a ventilation window, like in a cradle. There is also a convenient pocket for small items, where I put all the essentials - wet wipes, paper tissues and other small items.
Bottom line: The walking block is very comfortable, compact and lightweight. I continue to use the stroller with great pleasure!)
The structure of mattresses depending on the type
There are many types of air mattresses, and their range of use can vary. Their service life directly depends on how to use the product. Mattresses are divided into three main types:
- For swimming;
- For camping;
- For sleep and relaxation.
Swimming mattresses are the most budget option. They are made from thick PVC film. This product is inflated without additional equipment by a person. They are suitable for swimming, but lying and sleeping on them is uncomfortable. The surface of swimming mattresses is smooth and constantly slides. And the material is not very durable.
The next type of mattress is for camping. They are more expensive and better quality. They are preferred by lovers of outdoor recreation. They have a reinforced body so that pebbles and branches do not damage it. You can sleep comfortably on such a mattress; the fleecy top covering will not allow the sheets to slip off.
A special sleeping mattress is the most expensive option. It has a complex frame with partitions and sections. Often, there is a built-in pump for inflation. The sleeping mattress has an orthopedic design, which will make your sleep much more comfortable. Some models are equipped with a special protrusion that acts as a pillow.
Ways to detect a puncture site
Elastic PVC, used in the manufacture of air beds and other products, reacts poorly to microscopic damage.
Finding them on its surface without special manipulations is very difficult, almost impossible. There are several popular ways to detect a puncture that is invisible to the naked eye. All of them involve checking the product in an inflated state. Here are the most popular and simple ones:
1. The first method is taken from the practice of gas services when searching for gas leaks. We dilute shaving foam, apply it to the surface of the mattress and observe: where the bubbles appear, there will be a puncture.
2. The use of a soap solution looks similar. In a bowl of water, foam the soap, wet the sponge and cover the entire mattress. At the puncture site, the soap solution will begin to bubble.
3. Pump the mattress a little, insert the plug, and listen while walking around the entire perimeter of the product. When you hear the air hissing, you can wet the area with water. When a hole is found, mark this place with a marker. You can search in the same way by moving your hand along the product. Wherever it blows harder, there will be a puncture.
4. If the puncture occurs on the banks of a river or sea, you can lower the mattress under water.
A path of bubbles will indicate the damaged area. Lifehacks to help:
- Pay special attention to the seams. As practice shows, these areas account for a large percentage of damage.
- When searching for a puncture with your hands, moisten them with water, this way you will quickly feel the air leaving the hole.
- For patches, use the repair kit supplied with the product. If this is not the first repair, you can take any pieces of rubber and special glue for rubber or vinyl coverings.
- To obtain a stable foam, use dishwashing detergent or a children's bubble solution.
Intex mattresses
Model Intex 68757 - created for hiking or use in the country. It has an anti-slip coating, and separate sections are a guarantee of convenience. Inflated using an external pump.
Model Intex 66950 with built-in foot pump - designed for camping, has a convenient built-in foot pump. The surface is made of waterproof materials.
Double mattress Intex 66770 - designed for sleep, has an orthopedic structure. The outer material is non-slip, there is no built-in pump. The product is strong, maximum load is 300 kg.
How to properly repair an inflatable product?
The puncture site has been successfully located.
Now you need to mark it with a marker or pen, and only then release the air from the mattress. We take patching material, glue and a degreasing agent for the rubber surface. Let's move on to the repair process. Step-by-step steps: 1. Thoroughly dry and clean the damaged area. We degrease the place where we will apply the patch with alcohol.
2. Cut out the patch to the required size. Apply a small amount of glue to one of the sides.
3. Press the patch firmly against the puncture and hold for a few seconds so that the glue adheres well to the mattress material.
Attention! After gluing the patch, do not inflate the product for 12 hours.
Seal holes and tears in an air mattress
The same store where you bought the bed probably sells branded repair kits to fix the problem, but you most likely want to know how to seal an air mattress at home without spending money on expensive kits. You can properly and efficiently repair an inflatable bed yourself using improvised means if you follow a certain algorithm.
- Proceed with sealing only after the mattress is completely dry after taking a soap bath.
- Buy PVC glue: the classic “Moment” is quite suitable, since after drying it becomes like rubber. But its transparent variations, although they will make the patch more neat, can negatively affect its quality, since such compositions “glass” after drying and can crack when bent. For the same reason, superglue is not suitable. In addition, it can ruin the PVC material, as it is an aggressive adhesive.
- As a patch, you can use a piece of thin rubber or, for example, patches from a tire repair kit if you are a motorist and you have them lying around idle. In this case, the patch should cover the hole by at least 1 cm on each side. So, for a simple, barely noticeable hole, you need to cut a circle with a diameter of 2-3 cm.
- Both the area with the tear and the patch itself must be thoroughly degreased using acetone or another product if you want the adhesion to be really strong. If your mattress has a flocked surface, then the pile must first be removed with acetone or fine sandpaper: it will not be possible to properly glue a patch to it.
Due to the specifics of working with Moment glue, the mattress can only be sealed in a deflated form, otherwise it will not be possible to press the surfaces tightly together, since the mattress will spring. Apply glue to the damaged area of the mattress and to the patch, wait 5 minutes, press the surfaces firmly together and secure the patch in place with a weight for the next 24 hours.
If the mattress begins to deflate while on a hike or at a tent camp and there is no way to repair it, good electrical tape will completely cope with the problem before you arrive home, although this method does not work well on a velor surface.
It’s possible to repair an air mattress with your own hands, without going to a workshop or buying special repair kits, if you set aside a little time for it and follow the listed recommendations!
