How to Inflate Your Air Mattress When There’s No Power

Don’t let a lack of electricity deflate your camping trip or sleepover! There are easy ways to get your air mattress ready for sleep without a traditional pump.

Here are the top methods:

• The Garbage Bag Trick
  1. Open a large, sturdy garbage bag and swing it around to fill it with air.
  2. Pinch the bag’s opening to trap the air.
  3. Fit the bag’s opening over the air mattress’s valve and squeeze (or lay on the bag) to force the air in.
  4. Repeat until your mattress is inflated.
• Hairdryer Power (Cold Setting Only!)
  1. Locate the air mattress’s intake valve.
  2. Switch your hairdryer to the “cool” setting. Important: Hot air can damage your mattress.
  3. Hold the hairdryer’s nozzle close to the valve and turn it on to inflate.
• Harness Your Vacuum’s Power
  1. If your vacuum has a “blow” function, you’re in luck!
  2. Connect the hose to the exhaust port (where air blows out).
  3. Fit the hose end over the air mattress valve and turn on the vacuum.
• Leaf Blower Blast
  1. If you have a leaf blower handy, it works much like a powerful hairdryer.
  2. Position the leaf blower’s nozzle near the air mattress valve and let it rip!
• Old-Fashioned Lung Power
  1. When all else fails, take a deep breath and blow directly into the open valve.
  2. This takes more time, but it gets the job done!

Additional Tips:

• Check for a built-in pump: Some modern air mattresses have manual foot or hand pumps integrated for convenience.
• Invest in a battery-powered pump: These provide portability if you camp without access to power often.