6 Clever Ways to Fill an Air Mattress Without a Pump

Co-authored by Christopher M. Osborne, PhD

Last Updated: August 9, 2024 References

You remembered to bring your air mattress to the sleepover or camping trip, but forgot the air pump...so now what? Lucky for you, this article lists several ways to fill an air mattress using everyday items. So read on to find out how a hair dryer or a trash bag can be your key to a good night’s sleep!

Ways to Blow up an Air Mattress Without a Pump

Set a hairdryer to a cool setting and press the end over the mattress’s intake valve to fill it, or opt for a vacuum cleaner that can blow out air as a pump alternative. Other options include a leaf blower, bike pump, or air compressor. Blow up the mattress by mouth as a last resort.

1

Hair dryer

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Set the dryer to cool air for a handy DIY air pump. Lay the mattress out flat and press the end of the dryer over the intake valve on the mattress. Make sure the dryer is on the cool air setting and start it up. Some of the air will escape since the dryer and intake valve are different sizes, but the mattress should slowly fill up.^{[1]
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- You may get a better seal between the valve and dryer if you have a vacuum cleaner with a crevice attachment that fits over the end of the dryer.
- Don’t use a hair dryer that lacks a cool air setting. Hot air may melt or deform the vinyl and plastic components of the mattress.

2

Vacuum cleaner

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Use a vacuum that can blow out air as a good pump alternative. Some home vacuum cleaners, and many shop vacuums, have reverse modes that cause them to “blow” instead of “suck.” In this case, set the vacuum to reverse flow, press the end of the hose over the mattress’ intake valve, and turn on the vacuum to fill the mattress. Put one of the crevice attachments on the end of the hose if that improves the connection with the intake valve.^{[2]
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- You may still be able to use your vacuum even if it doesn’t have a reverse flow mode. Detach the hose and the bag or canister that holds dirt and debris. Press one end of the hose over or into the opening that directs dirt and debris into the bag or canister. Press the other end of the hose against the mattress’ intake valve and turn on the vacuum. Air should flow from the vacuum, through the tube, and into the mattress.

3

Leaf blower

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Try this noisy but solid option if you’re outdoors at home. Leave the blower’s typical attachment in place. Lay the mattress flat on the ground, then press the end of the blower’s attachment over the mattress’ intake valve. Cup your hand around the end of the attachment to maintain a better airflow seal, then turn on the blower and fill up the mattress.^{[3]
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- As with a hair dryer or vacuum cleaner, the job may go faster if you can put on an attachment that better matches the size of the mattress’ intake valve. Try popping a vacuum cleaner crevice attachment onto the end of the leaf blower’s typical attachment.
- You can use an electric leaf blower indoors, but keep in mind that it will be really loud. Never use a gas-powered leaf blower indoors.

4

Bike pump

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Repurpose this different type of pump with a bit of tape. Since your bike pump’s nozzle is probably a good bit smaller than the mattress’ intake valve, use tape to improve the air seal. Press the pump’s nozzle against the intake valve and wrap duct tape (or a similar sturdy tape) around the valve and nozzle. Press the lever on the bike pump up and down to add air to the mattress, just like you do when filling a bike tire. Keep in mind that this will take a lot longer to fill than a bike tire, though!^{[4]
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- Lay the mattress out flat on the ground for the best results.
- Yes, technically this is a pump...but it’s not an air mattress pump!

5

Air compressor

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There isn’t much difference in using an air compressor versus an electric air pump to inflate things like a mattress: insert the compressor’s output valve into the mattress’s intake valve, flip the power switch, and run the compressor until the mattress is full. That said, the typical valve options that come with an air compressor may not perfectly fit the mattress valve, so you may have to duct tape the valves together to get a good seal. Alternatively, shop online for an air mattress valve attachment for your compressor.^{[5]
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6

Trash bag

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Fill the bag and squeeze out air when using this surprising option. Open up the trash bag and swing it up, down, and around until it fills with air. Cinch the opening with your hands to hold the air in. Fit the bag’s opening over the mattress’ intake valve and cinch it tightly over the valve with your hand. Squeeze the bag to push the air into the mattress, or lay front-side down on top of the bag to speed up the process a little. Refill the bag and repeat...and repeat...and repeat—it’ll take a while, but it works!^{[6]
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- For the best results, use the thickest trash bag you can get, like a lawn and leaf bag or a contractor’s bag. Thinner bags will spring leaks more quickly and have to be replaced.

7

By mouth

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Inflate the mattress with your lungs as a last resort. Wash or sanitize the mattress’ intake valve to make sure it’s clean. Take a deep breath, create a seal over the intake valve with your lips, and exhale fully into the mattress. If your mattress has a one-way valve (which most do), you can remove your mouth from the valve, take another deep breath, and repeat. If it’s a two-way valve, the air will leak back out if you remove your mouth. In this case, keep your mouth on the valve, breathe in through your nose, and breathe out through your mouth.^{[7]
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- This method takes a really, really long time and will leave you out of breath and worn out. But look on the bright side—you’ll drift right off to sleep once you plop down on your freshly-filled air mattress!

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Tips

Use scissors to cut the bottom off of a plastic water bottle, then slide the open bottom of the bottle over the air exhaust end of the hair dryer, vacuum cleaner hose, or leaf blower attachment. The open screw-top of the bottle should fit nicely over the intake valve of most brands of air mattress, creating a much-improved seal and speeding up the filling process.^{[8]
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If you’re in the habit of forgetting your mattress pump, consider buying a self-inflating mattress with a built-in pump.^{[9]
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If you’re at a campground and forgot your mattress pump, ask around to borrow a pump from other campers. They’re usually happy to help!^{[10]
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