A nozzle attachment for use in combination with a vacuum cleaner to inflate or deflate air expandable articles, a portion of the nozzle having a relatively large diameter for coupling with the free end of a flexible hose, a relatively small extended tip portion insertable into bodies of inflation valves to mechanically open recessed check valve elements, and an intermediate cross sectional transition portion having at least one conical zone for sealing against the mouths of the inflation valve bodies. For inflation, the opposite end of the hose is connected to the fan outlet of the vacuum cleaner while for evacuation it is connected to the fan inlet.