How to Find a Hole in an Air Mattress: 6 Simple DIY Methods

Air mattresses are a convenient, easy-to-store, and flexible item to have when company shows up to spend the night. However, even a tiny leak will leave the sleeper flat on the floor by morning. Finding leaks can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack, but we’re here to help. We’ll explain all the best ways to locate a leak in the air mattress, including examining the mattress’s surface, using dish soap and water, submerging the mattress, and more. We’ll also explain how to patch the leak once you find it.

How can you find a puncture in an air mattress?

Inflate the air mattress and make sure the valve is completely sealed. Listen and feel the mattress’s surface for any signs of escaping air. If that doesn’t work, spray the mattress with a mixture of dish soap and water or submerge it in water and look for bubbles. The bubbles mark the location of the leak.

Section 1 of 7:

Finding the Hole By Inspecting the Valves

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1
Remove any bedding and move the air mattress to an open area. You won’t be able to see any holes or tears in the mattress with the bedding on, so remove any sheets or blankets and place them somewhere out of the way. Move the air mattress to a place where you’ll have room to walk around it, flip it, and inflate it.^{[1]
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- If you are camping, it is a good idea to do this inside a tent away from breezes and noise.
- Make sure you have adequate light. You will need to be able to see well enough to look for holes.
2
Inflate the mattress. Fill the mattress with as much air as you can without risking the mattress bursting. Air mattresses are not designed to be filled with high-pressure sources, such as air compressors, so use your breath or an air pump to inflate it.^{[2]
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- Most air mattresses come with an air pump to aid in inflation.
- Do not overinflate your mattress. Most manufacturers warn that this can cause a mattress to burst.
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3
Inspect the valve for leaks. The valve is a common source of leaks, so inspecting it first can often save you a lot of time. Make sure that the valve plug is completely inserted into the valve stem, and feel for any escaping air. If this solves the problem, this was likely the source of your leak.^{[3]
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- For double-locking valves, make sure that the valve stem has been completely pressed against the stop behind it.
- If there is a problem with the valve, it likely cannot be patched. However, if the valve plug won't seal against the valve stem, try inserting a thin piece of plastic for a quick fix.
- If the valve plug is completely inserted into the valve stem, and the valve stem is completely pressed into the stop behind it, you are ready to look for a leak in the mattress itself.

Section 2 of 7:

Finding the Hole By Inspecting the Surface

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1
Inflate the mattress and inspect it visually. Even a pinhole can become visible when a mattress is inflated. Move the mattress to a well-lit area and visually inspect its surface. Do this systematically, starting with the top of the mattress, then the sides, then the underside. Check the seams of the mattress, too, as this is a common area for tears.^{[4]
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- Look for things like small cuts or punctures, scratches, or abrasions on the fabric, or areas that appear slightly deflated or wrinkled compared to the rest of the mattress.
2
Move the palm of your hand slowly across the mattress’s surface. If you can’t see the tear, you may feel the escaping air brush against your skin. Pass your hand slowly along the surface of the mattress. If you move too quickly, you might not pick up on the subtle sensation of escaping air.^{[5]
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- It may help to wet your hand with cold water first. The escaping air will increase the evaporation rate from your skin and make it feel colder.
- Alternate method: Grab a lightweight object, like tissue paper, toilet paper, or lightweight plastic wrap, and hold it just above the mattress’s surface. Slowly move it around, focusing on the seams, corners, and valve. If the material flutters or shifts slightly, there’s likely air escaping from that spot.^{[6]
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3
Apply pressure to the mattress with your hands, and listen for leaks. Push down on the mattress in different spots. This will increase the air pressure inside, making the leak more pronounced and easier to detect. As you do this, hold your ear near the mattress to listen for leaks.^{[7]
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- Your ear is more sensitive to the feeling of escaping air than your hand. Escaping air will also make a hissing sound.
- Listening for escaping air is more effective in finding large holes or leaks rather than small ones.
- Listen especially carefully around the seams of the mattress, as this is the most common area for leaks.
- Try a smartphone with a decibel app for sound. Turn off all noise in the area, run the phone across the surface of the mattress, and look for an increase in sound.
4
Mark the leak with a pen or piece of tape. Once you’ve found the leak, mark it so that you can easily find it again when it’s time to patch it. Remember to inspect the rest of the mattress, as there may be more than one hole or tear contributing to the problem.^{[8]
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- Some manufacturers will provide instructions on how to patch a leak. Others will ask that you send the mattress to them for repair.
- Don't attempt to patch your mattress without proper instructions from the manufacturer. Different materials may require different methods.
- If your owner’s manual says it’s safe for you to patch the mattress on your own, proceed to our Fixing the Leak section for more details.

Section 3 of 7:

Finding the Hole With Dish Soap

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Mix thoroughly to ensure that you can get an even amount of soap across the whole mattress. If you don’t have a spray bottle, a soapy wet rag or sponge will also work.^{[9]
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Save money by fixing, not replacing. "My air mattress had a slow leak, and I was ready to throw it out. But this guide walked me through some easy ways to find the hole, like using soapy water. I spotted bubbles along a seam and marked the leak. After patching it up, the mattress held air perfectly again. Following these steps saved me the cost of buying a whole new one." - Katrina D.

Have fun camping once more. "A leak was ruining our camping trips since the air mattress kept deflating overnight. We brought it inside the tent and tried the soapy water trick. I couldn't believe it when I saw bubbles near the valve — we'd checked it before! Drying and patching let us finally get comfy sleep during camping again. No more waking up on the hard ground." - Joshua M.

Locate teeny holes through simple techniques. "I noticed my air mattress was losing air but couldn't see an obvious leak. The tip to run my hand over it led me to feel the tiny stream of air escaping along a seam. Marking the spot let me patch up the pinhole flawlessly. It saved me the nuisance of re-inflating it and got us back to peaceful sleep." - Jhon K.

Salvage belongings headed for the trash. "I almost threw out my sinking air mattress but first looked online for help. Spraying soapy water and watching for bubbles worked perfectly to reveal the leak. After drying and patching based on instructions, it held air like new. Simple techniques here salvaged an item I'd written off as trash." - Patrick Z.

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2
Spray or wipe around the valve, looking for bubbles. Escaping air will cause bubbles to form on the surface. Make sure your mattress is fully inflated and apply your soapy mixture to the valve area. If you notice any bubbles, inspect the valve to make sure it is sealing properly.^{[10]
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- Always check the valve area first with any method, as the valves are a common source of leaks.
3
Apply the dish soap mixture to the rest of the mattress. Spray or wipe the surface of the air mattress, starting with the seams, followed by the rest of the fabric. Get in every nook and cranny, and apply a bit of pressure to the mattress as you go. If there’s a leak, bubbles should form around it.^{[11]
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- Don't worry about getting soap on the mattress. This can be wiped off later, and the mattress will dry.
Permanent marker will not bleed on the wet surface of the mattress, but it may be easier to mark if you dry the area with a towel first. Alternatively, use a piece of duct tape or felt marker to mark the leak more clearly once the mattress is dry.^{[12]
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Your mattress must be 100% dry before you can use any kind of adhesive to patch it. Additionally, mold or mildew may form if you don’t dry a mattress before storing it. To speed up the process, lay the mattress to dry in a sunny area.

Section 4 of 7:

Finding the Hole By Submerging the Mattress in Water

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Some manufacturers recommend that you do not submerge their products. Submerging an air mattress puts it in contact with a lot of water, which may cause the fabric to become saturated. This, in turn, may cause the seams to begin to deteriorate. Protective coatings on synthetic fabrics may also begin to separate from the fabric. Only submerge the air mattress if it is safe to do so.^{[13]
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If the mattress is not inflated, you may not be able to see air escaping underwater. However, fully inflating the mattress may make it very difficult to submerge it in a pool or bathtub. For the best results, partially inflate the air mattress.^{[14]
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3
Fill a pool or tub with water and submerge the mattress, valve first. Keep the valve closed and apply pressure around the valve stem. Escaping air will cause a stream of bubbles to form around the leak. Once you’ve checked the valve, repeat the process for other parts of the mattress, working in small sections so you don’t miss anything.^{[15]
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- Pay close attention to the areas around the seams. Seams are a common area for holes and tears to occur.
- Mark the leak with a permanent marker once you find the source. Permanent marker is less likely to bleed on a wet surface. Partially dry the area around the leak with a towel to aid in marking the leak.
- Once the mattress is dry, make your mark clearer by placing duct tape or a larger mark near the leak.
Putting the mattress in direct sunlight will speed up its drying time. Before you can use any kind of adhesive patch to repair your air mattress, it must be 100% dry. If you don’t dry a mattress before storing it, mold or mildew can form.

Section 5 of 7:

Finding the Hole With a Garden Hose

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Air up your mattress and set it on a patio table, deck, or clean driveway. If you’re working on a wooden surface, cover it with a blanket, newspapers, a vinyl tablecloth, or another covering so it doesn’t get too wet.^{[16]
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Move slowly, as a leak could only be visible for a few seconds. Look for bubbles escaping around the valve area or wherever the water is running, as this could indicate a leak. Inspect the valve to make sure it is sealed properly.^{[17]
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Use a small stream of water, and work slowly from section to section. Look for bubbles, paying careful attention to the mattress’s seams. Seams are a common site of tears and holes.^{[18]
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4
Mark the leak with a permanent marker once you find the source. Mark where the leak is located so you can easily find it when you go to patch it up. Permanent marker is less likely to bleed on a wet surface, but you can also dry the area with a towel to make it easier to mark.^{[19]
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- Once the mattress is dry, you can make your mark clearer by placing duct tape or a larger mark near the leak.
To speed up the process, place the mattress in direct sunlight or in the wind for 1-2 hours. The seams usually take longer to dry, so make sure the mattress is 100% dry before you store or patch it.

Section 6 of 7:

Finding the Hole With Smoke

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1
Inflate the mattress away from flammable objects. Move the mattress into a well-ventilated area, away from potentially flammable objects. Make sure there is no wind or moving air caused by fans, air conditioning, or open windows.
- Warning: Use this method with caution, as you don’t want to burn yourself or catch anything on fire. If you’re sensitive to smoke or incense, use a different method.
2
Light an incense stick or thin candle and wave the smoke around. The smoke from an incense stick is ideal, as it is dense and easily visible, but a thin candle (like a birthday candle) will also work. Hold your smoke source a few inches away from the mattress and slowly move it around. If the smoke suddenly gets pulled in a certain direction or wavers unnaturally, you’ve likely found a leak.^{[20]
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- Don’t hold the smoke source too close to the mattress’s surface, as heat and ash could damage it.
- Warning: Never leave an open flame unattended.

Section 7 of 7:

How to Patch a Hole in an Air Mattress

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Deflate the mattress and use a patch kit. Deflate the mattress completely and locate the source of the leak you found earlier. Most air mattresses come with a patch kit that contains sandpaper, glue, and a patch. Clean the mattress thoroughly, removing any dirt or debris that may prevent the patch from sticking properly. Then, follow your kit’s instructions to patch the leak.^{[21]
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- Each patch kit may be slightly different, but in general, you’ll spread the glue over the patch, place the patch over the leak, and let it dry completely before using the mattress again.
- If you don’t have a patch kit, purchase one from a camping or outdoor store, or create a makeshift patch out of duct tape, an old shower curtain, or a piece of tarp.
- Another option is to use a liquid patch, which can be used to repair small holes by creating a tight seal.
- Some air mattress manufacturers do not recommend patching the mattress yourself. Refer to your owner’s manual before attempting to make any repairs.

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What if I can't find the leak?

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Use a thin, light plastic attached to a stick or hanger. Cut the plastic into thin strips away from the stick or hanger (the thinner the better, but not too long or short). Move it across an inflated mattress and the hole will be revealed when a strip blows away from the mattress.

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How can I repair the leak around the edge of the air valve?

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A thick, well-applied layer of duct tape should do the trick.

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How do I find a leakage in an electric pump built-in on an air mattress?

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Fully inflate the mattress. Bundle the cord in a tight, flat package with rubber bands and tape in place over the connection or stow it away in the recession provided. Use lightweight Saran Wrap and typical desk tape to install an airtight patch over the entire area. The plastic wrap bubble will be loose and it will be possible to press out excess air before putting on the last section of tape. Be sure to lightly burnish the tape with a fingernail to close any gaps. Any leak will at least fill out the looseness or slack in the plastic patch.

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Consult with the manufacturer for information on how to best repair the leak. Some manufacturers send out free repair kits or make appropriate recommendations.

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You might be better off buying a new mattress if you can’t fix the leak or if the mattress has persistent leaks. How long your air mattress will last depends on the quality of the material and how often you use it.If your mattress is losing air but there are no holes, it may be due to changes in temperature. Cold air contracts, so if you move the mattress to a colder area, it may seem like it’s losing air.

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Air mattresses also stretch a bit during their first few uses. This can give the impression of air loss when, in reality, the material is just settling.

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Warnings

Don't put water inside an air mattress. You won’t be able to dry it properly, and it could grow mold.

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Do not set the mattress on a pointed object while viewing.

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Do not over-inflate the air mattress. It may burst.

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