Inflatable Couch

Ah, inflatable couches. The epitome of class, style, and comfort. I mean, why settle for a real couch when you can get one that looks like a giant pool toy?

But let’s face it, inflatable sofas have many benefits. They’re cheap, easy to transport, and are perfect for people who want to furnish their entire home in 15 minutes or less. But the question remains, how long do these air-filled wonders last?

In short, inflatable couches, chairs and other furniture can last a few months to many years. The key is to treat them kindly and use a patch kit when necessary.

How to Find an Inflatable Sofa that’s Durable:

Well, that depends on a few things. First, let’s talk about what to look for in a durable inflatable couch. You want to make sure that it’s made of thick, high-quality PVC material.

In addition, you want to choose furniture that has a higher weight capacity. In other words, adults can use it as well as kids. (The higher weight limit also tells you that the material is stronger and more durable and that the seams are reinforced.)

Note: The weight capacity of inflatable sofas can vary depending on the specific model and materials used, but most can support anywhere from 250 to 600 pounds. And the Intex inflatable sectional can hold 880 lbs.

Also, some inflatable sofas are designed for outdoor use and are made from durable materials that can withstand exposure to sunlight, water and other outdoor elements. Therefore, they tend to be more durable and long-lasting.

Furthermore, i suggest choosing a reputable brand, like Intex or Coleman. These companies have been making inflatable products for many years, not to mention, many of them are designed to be more rugged for outdoor use.

In addition, Aerogogo makes higher-end air sofas that are ultra-durable. And BOTE makes virtually indestructible inflatable sofas and chairs out of paddleboard material.

Can You Repair Inflatable Furniture if it Gets Punctured?

But even with the best of intentions, accidents happen. Maybe your cat decides to use your blow-up sofa as a scratching post, or your kid thinks it’s a fun trampoline.

That’s where the patch kit comes in. Yes, that’s right, you too can be a DIY master and patch up your inflatable couch like a pro.

1. How to Find a Leak:

First, locate the hole. This may involve inflating the couch and listening for the sound of escaping air. Alternatively, you can spray soapy water on the vinyl surface and look for bubbles.

Once you’ve located the hole, it’s time to break out the patch kit. Now, I know what you’re thinking, “Do inflatable sofa repair kits really work?” Well, it’s true – these patch kits really do work, as I’ve learned from years of experience.

2. How to Patch the Hole:

Next, clean the area around the hole with rubbing alcohol to ensure a good bond. Then, cut a patch from the included patch material that is about an inch larger than the hole.

Apply a generous amount of the included adhesive to the patch and place it over the hole, smoothing out any wrinkles or air bubbles. Let it dry for at least 24 hours, and voila! Your inflatable couch is as good as new (until the next inevitable hole).

How to Help Your Inflatable Couch Last Longer:

Now, let’s talk about how to make your inflatable couch last longer. First and foremost, you want to avoid any sharp objects. This may seem like common sense, but let’s face it, if you’re the type of person who buys an inflatable couch, common sense may not be your strong suit. So, keep it away from any sharp edges, including your cat’s claws and your child’s toys.

You also want to make sure that you don’t over-inflate it. Yes, I know it’s tempting to see how much air it can hold, but over-inflating can cause the material to stretch and weaken, making it more prone to punctures and leaks.

Note: When you first inflate your sofa, the vinyl will stretch because it is new. As a result, it may seem like it’s losing air during the next 24 hours. Don’t worry, this is normal. You just want to let the material stretch out a little and then add a little more air to fully inflate it.

In addition, I suggest keeping inflatables out of direct sun. The UV rays can weaken the PVC, and the heat can cause the air inside the furniture to expand. Thus, you can end up with stretched out and sometimes deformed sofas and chairs. Very strange looking.

Finally, if you choose to deflate and store your couch, keep it in a cool, dry place where it won’t receive any unnecessary wear and tear.

The Bad News… and Good News About Inflatables, Leaks and How to Repair Inflatable Furniture:

Unfortunately, inflatable furniture can “spring leaks” if you puncture them. Many people think that holes are difficult or time-consuming to patch.

However, blow-up furniture typically has a durable outer vinyl fabric, if you buy from a brand name company. This hard-wearing material stand ups to regular use, kids and pets and sometimes the outdoors.

That said, even well-treated inflatables can get holes due to normal wear and tear. The good news here is that the repair process is usually quick, easy and cheap. Compared to other potential furniture problems, you can usually patch a hole in a matter of minutes!

2 Factors to Consider When Patching Inflatable Furniture:

1. New blow-up furniture will need time to “stretch out” after you first inflate them and start using them. What appears to be a loss of air may actually be the vinyl stretching to it’s full shape. Don’t be too quick to think that you’ve got a faulty product when in actuality the furniture is just growing and “maturing” to it’s full size.

2. Cooler air will typically shrink the air in your blow-up furniture, making it seem like they have lost air. On the flip side, hot air will expand the inside air (which is why I say not to leave your inflatable furniture out in the sun for extended periods of time).

The Hardest Part of Finding a Leak:

In my experience, the hardest part of the patching process is actually finding the leak. Holes are generally so small that you can’t see them with the naked eye, and air leaks out so slowly that you might not even notice that air is missing for several days.

The video below “How to Patch an Air Mattress” explains the easiest way that I have found to locate the problem area and patch it quickly – in any type of inflated furniture.

 

Does My Inflatable Furniture Get Holes?

I have inflatable furniture that has lasted me years. They are not leak-free chairs, sofas and mattresses. I’ll be honest, I apply a patch about once every 12 months. My inflatables get regular daily use, so I’m actually surprised that they haven’t exploded yet.

I own a small patch kit that I bought for about $10, and it has lasted me over 8 years. I have even used Gorilla Glue with a vinyl patch when in a bind, and that totally works (Gorilla Glue is amazing!).

In short, I have never owned an inflatable mattress, chair, sofa, lounger or raft that I have not been able to quickly repair. So, don’t be afraid of leaks and patching them up. The benefits of blow-up furniture far outweigh the minimal hassle of cutting and glueing a vinyl patch.

Intex also has more information and answers about how to repair inflatable furniture on their Frequently Asked Questions page (specific to their products).

Do you want to bring a blow-up couch on your next camping trip? I have a few ideas, including this ultra portable and durable inflatable camping sofa…

In fact, the manufacturer designed this sofa specifically for outdoor use. Therefore, you can count on getting a lot of use out of it.

How is this Inflatable Couch Better for Camping Outdoors?

1. First off, this camping sofa is constructed of extra strong PVC and polyester material that is pressure-resistant and holds it’s shape. As a result, it feels more firm and supportive when you sit on it and lean back.

2. Second, the construction features a dual-layer design that is leak-proof. You don’t have to be gentle with this sofa, nor do you have to worry about setting it up on the ground. Plus, it can support over 600 pounds of weight.

3. Third, the couch has a high-pressure air pump built right into the sofa. And, it’s rechargeable! Therefore, you don’t have to purchase and carry around a separate pump. (You can even get a matching chair.)

4. Fourth, this couch is super compact (when deflated) and weighs less than 10 lbs. In fact, you can easily carry this air sofa in a backpack. Then, it only takes 4 minutes to inflate once you reach your destination. Talk about convenient.

Note: Although this outdoor sofa makes a fun camping accessory, it’s not really designed for sleeping. If you want a sleeper or inflatable chair bed, see below…

Aerogogo Inflatable Camping Sofa Specs:

• Dimensions: 41″ Long x 30″ Deep x 32″ Tall
• Seat Height: 15″ High
• Seats 2 People
• Weight Capacity: 661 lbs
• Weight: 9 lbs
• Material: PVC and Polyester
• Waterproof
• Color: Lake Blue
• Built-in Self-Inflating Air Pump
• Brand: Aerogogo

What if You Want an Inflatable Camping Sofa Bed?

Alternatively, you can get a double sofa bed mattress that sleeps 2 people. It has a similar design to the camping sofa above in that it has armrests, drink holders and can seat a couple of people.

However, it also folds out into a sleeper at the end of the day. Or all day, depending on how tired you are.

Compared to buying (and packing) both an air mattress and a sofa, this provides a cheap solution. Not to mention, 1 blow-up item takes up less space than two.

How to Inflate the Camping Sofa Bed:

Although the camping couch self-inflates, the fold-out sofa bed doesn’t include an air pump. You can easily pick one up for about $15-20.

For travel, I like this compact, portable and battery-operated electric air pump.

First of all, it inflates much faster than a hand or foot pump. Plus, it doesn’t take up a lot of valuable storage space when traveling.

Second, this model comes with a 12-volt power adapter and a standard power cord that you can plug into a wall outlet. This makes it much more versatile because you can use it in more places. Not to mention, you can use it on batteries alone.

Third, the package includes 3 different nozzle styles. Therefore, you can use it to pump up balls, rafts, pool toys and more (in addition to your sofa, of course).

Fourth, this particular air pump can deflate your sofa just as fast as it blew it up. For large items like couches, mattresses and rafts, this feature comes in very handy.

And once deflated, your sofa packs up small in the back of your truck or car.