What To Put Under Air Mattresses For Quiet And Safety

air mattress

Air mattresses are prone to squeakiness and leaking. But place the right item under the mattress and you can enjoy quiet evenings and more years on your air bed.

Sometimes, an air mattress needs a little extra bedding. Depending on the situation, you can place your air mattress on top of blankets, waterproof sheets, and even absorbent sheets. These things deal with noise, water damage, and discomfort.

Need a little advice to make your air mattress quieter or safer against punctures? We have all the advice you need!


The Top 4 Reasons Why You Need To Put Something Under An Air Mattress

Air mattresses are fine most of the time. You plonk them down on the floor and you sleep like that for years. No problem. But if you are a long-time user of air mattresses, then you know just how wrong things can go! Sometimes there are moisture issues and at other times you might wonder how to protect your bed on a tent’s floor. 

We isolated the 4 most common reasons why die-hard air mattress fans use an extra sheet under their beds. 

  1. Protecting the air mattress from the bed frame.
  2. Protecting the mattress from surfaces (including when camping).
  3. Noisy air mattresses.
  4. High humidity is causing moisture issues.

Here are the best Happy Beds brand mattress reviews


How To Protect An Air Mattress From A Bed Frame

air mattress bed frame

Bed frames are not dangerous per se. But they can cause wear and tear in the long run. When we say that you can extend your air mattress’s life with a few years with some extra padding, we are not kidding! 

Most bed frames are made of a solid base or slats. A solid base can be made of either wood or woven fabric. The slatted frames are mostly made of wood. Needless to say, such materials have the capacity of scratching and chafing at plastic. This damage can happen every time you move in your sleep. 

The trick is to add something that protects your air mattress but also reduces movement. Some fabrics are too “slippery” when it comes to plastic beds. One of the best tricks is to add a mattress topper under the air bed. The softness of the topper stabilizes the air mattress and cushions it against the bed frame. As a bonus, the air mattress will also feel more comfortable!

These are the best mattress toppers.

How To Protect An Air Mattress From Floors And Camp Sites

In this scenario, a floor is the lesser evil. Floors are designed to be straight and smooth after all! If you want to place your air mattress directly on the floor – as many do – the first thing to check is the quality of the floor. Avoid rough wooden floors or any surface that is gritty or bumpy (think in the direction of stone tiles).

That being said, you can use any floor you like. All you have to do is to put the right padding under the air mattress. There are many people who figured out how to do this with flair. That is right, they pick a gorgeous large carpet and place it on the floor and under the mattress. Not only does the carpet protect the air bed but it also provides a lovely touch of decor. 

Muddled by the difference between beds and mattresses? No worries. We explain the difference between a mattress and a bed

I Want To Try My Air Bed While Camping. What Can I Do?

Several boxes need to be ticked. You must check the place where you pitch your tent and the extra padding must also not take up too much space in the luggage. Experienced campers know that luggage space comes at a premium. 

Most quality tents have a floor, so you probably do not have to worry about dirt. However, uneven earth and rocks can still damage an air mattress. Once again, a mattress topper and a carpet can both be used to add a protective layer between the earth and the air bed. Both are also easy to roll up and stick into the luggage compartment. If you are particularly pressed for space, a couple of towels might even do the trick. 

This is how often you should change your mattress for a new one.

How To Reduce The Noise Of A Squeaky Air Mattress

upset over squeaky bed

Oh, how notorious they are! Air mattresses love to squeak whenever you move. True, not all air mattresses are noisy but what can you do if your bed is talkative? Needless to say, it can interfere with sleep and even make you regret purchasing the item in the first place. 

The good news is that a squeaky air bed often responds to extra padding underneath the mattress. Each mattress is different, so the remedy, in this case, is trial and error. The best option might be something plush like a mattress topper. How about two? The reason for two mattress toppers is quite simple. When you place one underneath, it stabilizes and mutes the mattress while adding another topper on top of the bed will also help to reduce the squeaking noise. 

Bonus? A lot of extra comfort!

This is how you can properly store a memory foam topper.

How To Protect An Air Mattress From High Humidity

Sometimes, comfort and floors have nothing to do with the need to protect an air mattress. There is another common issue. Homeowners who live in a humid area know how moisture can cause problems. In the case of air mattresses, high humidity can cause condensation to gather on the underside of the bed. This, in turn, can lead to water damage, mould, and more friction between an air bed and the frame.

What Is The Best Fabric For An Absorbent Sheet?

Absorbent sheets are used to wick away moisture before they can cause problems with the mattress. The best fabrics are cotton and cotton fleece. To avoid these sheets from overload and developing mould, rotate a pair or three sheets on a regular basis. 

This is the correct way to wash a memory foam topper.

How Do I Reduce High Humidity In My Bedroom?

You can also deal with the problem by reducing the humidity in your room. One of the most effective ways is a dehumidifier. This nifty device will extract all the extra moisture in the air and away from your bed. You can also create better airflow in the room. Just open a few windows or switch on the ceiling fan! 


A Quick Summary On What To Place Under Your Air Mattress

  • The type of bedding inserted under an air mattress depends on the situation.
  • The four main reasons people need to add bedding includes discomfort, camping, high humidity, noise and protection against bed frames.
  • A mattress topper can solve most issues. This fluffy layer is great at alleviating discomfort, stabilizing a mattress and reducing noise. 
  • Absorbent sheets under an air mattress can also take care of moisture problems.
  • A dehumidifier also reduces extra moisture in the air.
  • A carpet can also add extra decor and protection for air mattresses that are placed directly on the floor.

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About the Author Tom

My journey into the world of sleep came about through living in several properties over my lifetime and always seeming to have the worst luck with neighbors. All but one have been extremely noisy and very inconsiderate. What this made me realize early on, was that the little sleep my neighbors allowed me to get needed to be of great quality. So I started to learn all about sleep, and what helps people get the best quality sleep possible.