Air Bed-Cleaning Tips
Air beds or air mattresses solve this problem by supporting the natural contours of the body firmly. Air beds consist of several chambers that make this possible. With the ever growing popularity of air beds knowledge of proper cleaning of air beds has become necessary.. Traditional mattresses are notorious for their propensity to collect dust and breed dust mites. As the air beds are made from nonporous rubber and plastic materials they don’t accumulate much dust which is an added point in their favor. However, they can become dirty and stained and need regular cleaning for sleeping hygiene.
Cleaning requirements of air beds is different from that of traditional mattresses. Let us find out how to clean air beds and air mattresses. Firstly one of the best ways to keep your air bed clean is to use normal bed covers and clean them regularly. You can either use an ordinary bed cover or you can purchase one custom made to fit your air mattress. These fit the air bed perfectly and don’t slip out during sleep. They can be easily removed, washed and refitted.
It is easy to keep air beds clean. Normal dirt and mild stains can be usually removed by wiping the surface with a slightly damp cloth. Before storing away the air bed, you should freshen it up with vacuum cleaner, using the upholstery attachment. This will remove any crumbs or dust particles from the outer surface of your air mattress. You will also obtain the same results by brushing the surface with a soft bristle brush in case you don’t have a vacuum cleaner available. This will ensure that the dust or other material do not settle down and become more difficult to remove later.
To remove tough stains you should not soak the air bed in water. To remove tough stains you can use a mild soap with cold water or an upholstery shampoo. After removing the stain rinse with a slightly damp cloth so as to remove traces of soap or shampoo. Then you should air dry it either indoors, or better still outdoors in the shade. Air beds are also likely to get stained, collect mold and mildew. To remove mold you can use items already available in the kitchen. First wipe the mold with a slightly damp cloth so as to remove as much of it as possible. Next clean the rest of the mold with a solution of equal volumes of vinegar and water using a cloth soaked in it.
Before rinsing it off you can use a mild shampoo solution to remove the vinegar smell. Air dry it thoroughly. In case vinegar fails to remove the mold stain completely, you can use a solution of half cup of bleach and one gallon water. Bleach best kills the mold but is not as mild as vinegar. There is the risk of color fading in the area where bleach has been used. Therefore use it with caution and only after reading any cleaning instructions that came with the air mattress. Use gloves and work in a well ventilated area when using bleach.
To prevent mildew you should always make sure that the air mattress is completely dry before storing it. Also always try to store it in a dry area. Mildew can be removed by using rubbing alcohol over the affected spot. Rubbing alcohol will kill the mildew effectively. Read the instructions on the label and use rubbing alcohol in a well ventilated area. After the mildew is removed rinse with a water dampened cloth and air dry the air bed thoroughly.
