If I want it for 5 days straight, do I really need to store it each night? how about a tarp over it deflated?
1849288
I think a tarp over it would be fine, maybe turn the grass sprinklers off until you put it away. We have been using ours about once a week and we just let dry out and keep it on the concrete until the next use. We won't officially store until summer is over.
1849289
I would definitely put a tarp over it!! My mistake that I didn't cover mine up more often & now it is extremely faded!
1849290
You can do that but I don't recommend it. One day I left it overnight in my backyard and the next day I have a big toad inside looking for humidity, so I have to clean it good. If you want to do that make sure you cover it good so anything goes inside. My child's love it..
1849291
We often keep it up for several days in a row. The grass gets a bit flattened and dehydrated underneath it, but it's not been a problem letting it deflate/drain at night and turning it back on in the morning. Had to stop due to drought and put it away for the rest of the summer.
1849292
There is no need to store unless there is a prolonged period of non-use. I put deflated slide over my fence to get it dry and off the ground and used it several days in a row
1360594
If you have room to store it, it can be rolled up. You would, of course, need to wrap something around it: bungee cords or straps to keep it rolled. Keep in mind that it's as wide as a twin sized mattress.
488271
Did you air it out for a couple of days outside by chance? That is what I did in an unrolled, flat state before putting it on the bed.
1395733
I've deflated the bed several times and had no problems. I put the bed back in the bag that was provided and store in a closet. Hope this helps.
808628
Not everyday, more like every other day. I have pushed it to 3 days but it will start to get cloudy and yucky especially if it is warm. I usually fill it crazy high. Last year I left about 5 inches of water in the bottom overnight, and the deer jumped in and their hooves shredded the bottom (thanks Bambi!) so either leave it totally full or empty overnight.
470730
No, we had to inflate it. Its not that hard and doesn't take long, our issue was with it deflating overnight.
1395732
We have no problems deflating the bed. We store it in the bag it came in at the bottom of our closet.
128608
I stored one in my home in the box for about 1 month and it was just fine. It is wrapped in plastic and I would think that if you keep it in a dry environment it would be ok. Hope this helps.
1071244
I just roll it up and use a sleeping bag to keep it rolled up. It takes up very little precious space, and isn't too heavy.
1511431
The inner walls of my canopy were dripping from condensation when I got back to my tent in the morning. Some of the books I had in the tent got warped from the water. It had not rained. I definitely wouldn't leave anything super important in the tent overnight if I thought it was going to rain.
1351123
I observed when I bought this cot that I would never be able to get it back in the box or bag. I store the mattress flat under the bed. Then I store the frame folded up. Next time I'll try to store it as recommended.
1391785
It's designed so no bag is needed, just fill it, and dump it within 5 days. Wash after each dump.
994087
either way, i double ziploc bag it and put it in the linen closet, it doesn't expire, and if you're using it everyday, and share, you'll be ready to reorder in no time!!
1781167
When I folded it in half to move it, it "puffed up" at the fold (gap in the middle -- it doesn't fold "flat"). You probably COULD z-fold it, but it wouldn't be tidy and it would probably unfold itself unless you piled something on it. I wouldn't expect to store it in your average closet without it taking over the space. As the mattress ages, the cotton batting (stuffing) will break down somewhat, but by the time it does this you'll probably want a new one (just like bed pillows -- once they're fold-able they've broken down and are less supportive and comfortable). Hope this answers your question. When I folded it in half to move it, it "puffed up" at the fold (gap in the middle -- it doesn't fold "flat"). You probably COULD z-fold it, but it wouldn't be tidy and it would probably unfold itself unless you piled something on it. I wouldn't expect to store it in your average closet without it taking over the space. As the mattress ages, the cotton batting (stuffing) will break down somewhat, but by the time it does this you'll probably want a new one (just like bed pillows -- once they're fold-able they've broken down and are less supportive and comfortable). Hope... » Read More When I folded it in half to move it, it "puffed up" at the fold (gap in the middle -- it doesn't fold "flat"). You probably COULD z-fold it, but it wouldn't be tidy and it would probably unfold itself unless you piled something on it. I wouldn't expect to store it in your average closet without it taking over the space. As the mattress ages, the cotton batting (stuffing) will break down somewhat, but by the time it does this you'll probably want a new one (just like bed pillows -- once they're fold-able they've broken down and are less supportive and comfortable). Hope this answers your question. « Show Less
1520177
I don't think it even needs to be deflated three times before the first use or any use. I have used mine once in a while storing it for long periods with no problems.
2247396
It stores well. I keep mine bundled under my pack where a tent or sleeping bag could go. That said, if I were to do it over again I would get an inflatable mat because I sleep most often on my side, and this mat provides nearly no support for that. May as well be sleeping on the ground, it is just an insulator.
1941609
No it won't last that long, calculate minutes, it died roughly in 2 days using it 2-4 times a day. Small quart size bags, 7-10 seconds to seal the bags. Look into the ziploc hand pump if you want to use it unlimited days if traveling or camping, they worked well for me. Just put the seal area on a folded towel or on top of some napkins to help with a good seal, a completely flat surface can't allow air to be expelled.