Why Do Air Mattresses Have Dimples? -solved it by 5 rules

Tired of carrying a mattress from one place to another? Why not try a more convenient option? An air mattress, also known as an inflatable sleeping pad, can cut down the extra labor. Air beds are very comfortable, but when you look at the surface, you may see several indents. So, why do air mattresses have dimples? 

The indents on the inflatable sleeping mat ensure that there is no unwanted movement on the mattress body when someone gets on top. The dimples simply aid the mattress in holding a comfortable shape and maintaining proper balance. Without them, the bedding will simply be an unstable balloon. 

In this article, we will elaborate more on why and how dimples play a crucial role in giving you a comfortable sleep. We will also discuss problems like bumps and ridges and give proper solutions. Keep on reading. 

What Are Dimples and Why Do Air Mattresses Have Dimples?

These are the uneven indents that you see on the top of mattresses. Dimples are common on both spring beds and air beds. On a sprung mattress, they are sewn up to maintain the overall structure of the sleeping mat. These formations are also known to keep unwanted moisture from building up.

On airbeds, the dimples are a common sight and will be more prominent as air fills up the chamber. When the pockets are filled, the outer surface will become uneven and will showcase dents. Don’t expect the sleeping pad to be plain as butter because it is made in that way. The dimples help better the balancing aspect of the mattress. 

Why do mattresses have dimples? Simply because if there are no dents on the mattress, you will slip off and have difficulty balancing on the surface. Would you like that? Well, this is why the dimples or the inward dents are placed for convenience. 

Are Bumps Similar to Dimples?

By the sound of it, you might be thinking that they are similar, but they are not. Dimples are inward dents that are placed on the surface of the airbed structure, whereas bumps are expansions that can take a round, curved along the mattress. 

Indents we call dimples are common on most mattresses, and bumps can be a part of it. Why do air mattresses get bumps? Well, bumps are unnatural and will only protrude when unwanted occurrences or changes within the mattress occur. 

why do air mattresses have bumps

Why are air mattresses bumpy? Well, there is no particular answer to it; rather, there are a few reasons that can promote bumpiness. Many mattress makers promote bumpy surfaces to aid structural integrity. Let’s find out why a mattress (narrow airbeds) exhibit bumpiness.

1. It could be the design of the mattress that demands some bumps on the surface. Makers need to connect the upper and lower end in different ways; some attachments can lead to bumps when the air is filled up.

2. The bumps play the anchor role. Confused, are you? Well, the bumps are effective enough to keep the bed in shape. It makes sure the weight distribution is even when you get on/off the bed. 

3. These protruding areas can be a support to your back in some way. The bumpy area resists your back from sinking inwards. 

4. Bumps can counter the problems that a plain surface usually fails to do. A plain mattress will slip and move a lot, whereas bumps on mattresses such as a narrow air bed are there to tackle such issues. It helps to keep the mattress in place. 

Is It Safe to Use Bumpy Mattresses?

If the product has curved linings throughout the surface, then it might well be the fittings set by the manufacturer to tackle various issues. The bumps might be there to keep the mattress in position and avoid sliding. It can also help the body to stay in a neutral position rather than sinking on the surface. 

If we are talking about unwanted bumps, also called ‘mattress bubbles,’ it’s best to get rid of the expansions to ensure proper comfort. We will talk about why bubbles occur and how they can be dealt with in the next section.  

What Are Mattress Bubbles?

These external bulges can show up in a mattress for several reasons. Keep in mind that mattress bubbles should not be mixed up with mattress bumps. They are somewhat similar, but a bumpy mattress can be a manufacturer’s design, whereas external bubbles on the mattress can be a sign of defect or improper air filling.

For example, if you have an airbed with dimples and observe an unwanted expansion in several areas, your mattress probably suffers from bubbling issues. Don’t worry; these problems are common and can be dealt with easily.

Causes of Mattress Bubbles

1. The seam linings on mattresses are an integral part of the mattress. A worn-out seam can induce bubbles within a mattress.

2. Extensive use can cause the mattress to wear and tear, resulting in unwanted bubbles building up in time.

3. When buying a mattress, it is advised that you purchase something that is made with top-notch materials. Items that are crafted with below-standard components will likely sag in no time and come up with unpleasant bubbles. 

4. Overfilling the mattress can be a reason behind unwanted bubbles. When excessive air fills up the inner chambers, the mattress will pop up some bubbles here and there.

Should You Sleep on a Mattress with Bubbles?

Air mattresses are not something that you will be using for years and years. They are made to give you a temporary bedding solution. Even with the temporary need, an air mattress can accumulate bubbles due to different reasons. Either it can be excessive air in the chamber, or it can be natural wear and tear. 

Although the tiny bubbles won’t harm your sleep and can be overlooked initially, we don’t recommend sleeping on a mattress that showcases bubbles simply because you will be multiplying the expansion without realizing it. It’s wise to treat the mattress right away and repair the imperfections. 

How to Tackle Air Mattress Bubble

Sleeping on a mattress with minor bubbles might not be a concern for many people, but we advise you to repair the mishaps and enjoy making the mattress long-lasting. This is what you can do to tackle the bubbles on your mattress. 

Step 1: Take Everything Off the Mattress

The first action is to empty whatever is resting on your mattress. It can be the bed sheets, pillows, and even the underlying mat. Remove everything that is covering the main mattress surface and let the plane be visible. 

Doing so ensures that you can nitpick the bubbled-up areas easily. With things on top, you simply cannot locate the bumps. 

Step 2: Let Go of Some Air

Now, if you are using a pump for inflation and deflation, turn on the deflation mode and release some air from the mattress. You can simply take off the knob and let some air pass out or try to squeeze to work your way. 

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Fixing bubbles on a fully inflated mattress is a straight no-no. Try to deflate the mattress gradually; this can help you scour the imperfections even better. In this step, don’t remove all the air; there should be a sufficient amount inside the mattress for fixing purposes. 

Step 3: Apply Pressure on the Bubbles

In this part, you will have to put pressure on the bubbled-up areas using your hand. Don’t go overboard; just put a little pressure to treat the protruded areas. Start by targeting the bigger bubbles and then move on to the smaller ones. When putting pressure, you will have to simultaneously deflate the mattress. 

At a point, the bubbles will start looking less severe; this is when you stop the deflation process. It’s wise to have a helping hand with you simply because the bubbles can be so far apart that you cannot deal with applying pressure on each bubble and simultaneously check on the air release nozzle. 

Step 4: Re Inflate

After treating the bubbles, it’s time to fill in the mattress yet again. Use the inflator machine to let air into the mattress. While performing this step, you must look for any reappearing or left-out bubbles. If you spot any mishaps, you need to repeat the above steps to counter the problems.

Step 5: Final Step

After inflating the mattress, you will have to seal the cap so that no air can pass out. Moreover, you will have to make sure the mattress is well-inflated, not overdone or tight.

And it should feel comfortable when you press the top surface with your palm. Fill the mattress according to your preference and seal the mattress for good.   

What Is Mattress Ridge

Also known as King’s Ridge, it is a hump that appears in the middle of most mattresses after extensive use. If you want to know why air mattresses have ridges, then we have to tell you that it is a common occurrence and appears due to improper weight distribution within the mattress.

The weight distribution of a mattress is affected by how you place yourself on it. You might be prone to love a particular area of the mattress and overwork it. This is when you will see humps appearing in that particular area. 

Ridges are often found on big queen-size or king-sized mattresses. In such beds, you tend to sleep in the middle for an extensive period, leaving a ridge-like appearance with time. 

How to Get Rid of Mattress Ridges

It’s not that easy to alleviate the ridges on a mattress. Some might even be unrecoverable. What you can do is apply some tricks to counter the severity. Here are some useful tips. 

1. If you own a flippable mattress, it will be wise to flip the affected area and let the unused surface appear on top. Alternating this way can curb the ridge build-up.

2. Try to move your body towards the mostly unused area. For example, placing your body in the middle for too long will cause a dent in the center. So shifting towards the other unused areas can even out the surface. 

3. Using thick quilted pads on top of the mattress can save your day. Latex toppers are best suited for this purpose because they are resistant to pressure and won’t showcase any ridge. 

How to Improve the Longevity of Air Mattresses?

No mattress is made to last forever, but you must make it remain functional for as long as possible. Below are some tips on how to prolong the life cycle of a mattress.

• Flip the air bed once a month. Doing so will make sure there are no unwanted pressure spots on a particular area.
• Never overfill the mattress with air. Overinflating can lead to seam breaks and cause leaks. 
• Abide by the manufacturer’s instructions. Don’t overpower the mattress by exceeding the max weight limit. 
• Avoid contact with sharp-poking objects, as it can lead to a puncture.
• Make sure the tube cap is sealed properly. Loose ends can leak air and make the airbed deteriorate over time.

Conclusion

When you own a mattress, you must understand it is not indestructible. What bugs most people is that it can come up with ridges and bumps after some time. We have talked about these issues and mentioned several fixes in the article above. 

As for mattresses with factory-made indents and for people who ask why do air mattresses have dimples? The answer is pretty simple. All the inward dents on the airbeds are there to keep the structural integrity intact. 

Without the dimples, the mattress will turn into an unstable balloon, which can be very awkward and uncomfortable to deal with. The next time you go on to buy an airbed and observe dimples, don’t get confused; they are there for all good reasons.