Care and Uses for a Twin Air Mattress

There are many different uses for a twin air mattress. Some people use them as a temporary bed for overnight guests. There are even some who are using them as a low cost alternative to having to buy a real bed, especially for college students. Many people are on the go these days and keeping one in your vehicle as an emergency bed is a great idea. When camping, they can be invaluable for getting you up off the cold ground, saving your back and other parts of your body.

The nicest thing about a twin air mattress is that there are so many different models and styles to choose from, which was not the case a few short years ago. There are styles that are self inflating and fill themselves up with air as they unroll. You turn it one way to fill it and another way to open it up to get the air out when you are rolling it up. Outside materials are getting lighter, yet stronger and they now come with heavy duty PVC plastics and vinyls. This way you can pack them up with your sleeping bag roll with very little added weight.

Now this doesn't mean you can abuse your twin air mattress; you still need to keep it clean and maintained. One of the weakest points on any air mattress is at the seams and around the valve opening. Even when these areas are heat welded together, you should always check the seams before the camping or hiking season and at the end of your camping trip as well. Make sure that the intake and release valves are clean and free of obstructions.

Because of these new outer shell materials, cleaning your air mattress is quick and easy. When inflated, you can just wipe them off with a sponge and mild soap and water. You can even use the garden hose to spray them down if you use a low spray setting. Make sure that you allow the mattress to fully dry before rolling it up and storing it away.

While most air mattresses are mildew resistant, this doesn't mean they are mildew proof. When you are getting ready to stow away your mattress, whether after a night camping, or for the season, make sure there is no moisture on the mattress itself, and make sure it is stored in a cool dry place, free of moisture. Another important thing to note is not to fill up your air mattress too much. While the PVC and vinyl is strong, they do stretch under pressure. Sure, some people like a firmer mattress than others, but overfilling your mattress can cause it to fail in a short period of time.

A twin air mattress can be found in many different locations, from local retailers, to online websites. You need to compare prices over many different styles and brands in order to find the features and price that best fits your needs. Some mattresses like those that self inflate, are going to be more expensive than those you have to manually inflate.

For your convenience, there are many companies who also include a foot pump, or a battery powered air bed pump to inflate the mattress. If you buy one with a battery powered pump, make sure you keep this in a dry place, take out the batteries after you are through camping to avoid corrosion and replace failing batteries as quickly as possible.