Waterbed Myths and Misconceptions Revealed
Answers to Some of the Most Frequently Asked Questions
When people hear the term waterbed many immediately envision a product that was born in the 70’s and had reached its height in the 80’s, a bed that was ultra “groovy” to a youthful Counter Culture but impractical to the majority. Waterbed technology has drastically changed, altering the original concept of this bed into one of the most – if not the most – supportive, relaxing and healthful beds on the market. However, yesterday’s negative connotations and misconceptions still prevail when speaking of this truly life-altering, beneficial mattress. For this reason, we have compiled and answered some of the most common questions still surrounding waterbeds today.
Is it true that I will have to purchase all new bedding and furniture for a new water mattress?
While the original waterbed only came in what we now classify as a Hard-Sided model, which has unique sizing (California King, California Queen and Super Single), today’s waterbeds also come in Soft-Sided forms that feature conventional sizing. So, while it is true that you may have to purchase new bedding/furniture if you choose a Hard-Sided model, the Soft-Sided option will allow you to have the best of both worlds by allowing you to keep your conventional sized pieces and gain the many benefits of sleeping on a water mattress.
Is there a chance that the waterbed may fall through my floor?
Many believe that, due to the significant weight of a waterbed, it will fall through their floor or ceiling. This is a gross misconception. Waterbeds feature supportive frames that spread their weight over their entire area. What this means is, at no one point beneath your waterbed is there more load applied to the floor than that of a full refrigerator (and this is considering the heaviest of the Hard-Sided models). Soft-Sided waterbeds, due to their shallower fills, even feature up to 30% less weight than the standard Hard-Sided model.
Is it true that a waterbed will cost me a lot of extra money for heating and maintenance?
With internal and external foam, mattress covers, and, not to mention, your own bedding, good quality water mattresses are very well insulated maintaining a set temperature without much added energy once it has been initially heated. On average, a waterbed heating system costs $4.50-9.00 a month at $0.075/kWh. The exact amount depends on your chosen temperature setting and the size of the bed. Maintenance fees include a bottle of vinyl cleaner and water conditioner for your mattress per year, which is not much money for the huge pay off the bed will provide to your relaxation and health each year.
Will my waterbed leak and flood my room?
Although extremely rare, occasionally a flaw in the manufacturing of a water mattress may occur, just as in any consumer good, which may cause a leaky seam or fill tab. However, many believe that such a problem will lead to a flooded room. This is completely untrue as a waterbed is a pressure-less system. This means that there is no internal pressure within the mattress and therefore only perhaps a trickle of water will escape, even if you slept on it in this condition. The bed and your floor are then further protected from this trickle by a safety liner that catches any water that may escape from your mattress.
If my waterbed is punctured won’t it spray or burst?
This question applies to the same principle as spoken of above. If a waterbed is punctured it will never spray or burst because a water mattress is a pressure-less system. There is no internal pressure to force the water to spray or to put such a strain on the puncture that the mattress would burst. Furthermore, if the puncture is on the top of the mattress, it doesn’t even need to be drained to apply a small patch that will make your mattress good as new.
Is it true that owning a waterbed requires extra insurance?
Typically, it is not necessary to take out extra insurance for your waterbed, as they are covered under the same category as other common household appliances that use water, such as a washing machine or dishwasher. However, when renting, some landlords may require special insurance to cover your waterbed against facility and/or other possible damage caused to adjacent tenants. Therefore, it is best to contact whoever manages your property and your insurance company to make sure of this.
Won’t a waterbed make me feel sea sick?
Motion sickness, or kinetosis, is caused by a disagreement between what is apparent as a lack of motion visually and the fluid of the inner ear’s sense of actual motion. On the sea, this is caused by repeated waves that force the fluids of the inner ears into motion while visually no horizon can be perceived. Therefore, visually you cannot sense any motion. Obviously, this is not a phenomenon that is likely to occur in a waterbed that doesn’t even produce its own waves.
Is it true that my partner and I will always disturb one another on a water mattress?
Many only remember previous non-stabilized water mattresses. However, with the stabilization technology applied to today’s water mattresses, water motion is not as large and noticeable of a feature as it used to be. For instance, Motion System technology now allows you to choose the extent of water motion that you will feel in the bed (from Free-Flow to Ultra Waveless), not to mention that you can choose to have a Dual System where each side can be personalized and neither side will feel the motion of the other.
Don’t waterbeds always make a sloshing sound?
Waterbeds only make noise when there is air trapped within the water containment chamber(s). Therefore, if your waterbed has been installed properly with an air pump there should be no “sloshing” or other annoying sounds. As an added benefit, waterbeds do not even have the irritating creaking and squeaking sounds of conventional bed frames, as their sturdy construction and large volume of water holds everything in place.
Doesn’t a waterbed demand a lot of maintenance?
Any bit of maintenance necessary for a waterbed is going to be more than that required for a conventional bed, as these require no real maintenance except for occasional flipping to even out wear and sagging. However, the maintenance required for a waterbed is truly minimal; this includes wiping down the mattress with vinyl cleaner 3-4 times a year and adding water condition once every 6 months besides the regular washing of linens and mattress covers. But this ability to care for your mattress is actually an advantage. A waterbed is the only mattress system that can be maintained, and is therefore hygienically superior.
Isn’t it medically better to sleep on a firm bed?
In past years it had been determined that the worst sleeping surface was a soft, sagging bed. Therefore, medical experts began advocating the use of firm mattresses. However, while the firmness provides necessary support, it also causes increased pressure points. It is for this reason that better manufacturers began developing highly adjustable sleeping systems. But, the only sleeping system that truly adjusts to the human form is the water mattress. Not a ‘soft’ or ‘firm’ mattress, a waterbed is actually a perfectly supporting sleeping system that relies on the principles of flotation to eliminate pressure points and combines with other common options such as heating, lumbar and motion systems to maximize comfort and relaxation. Sleeping on firm spring mattresses is now recommended by fewer and fewer medical experts.
Isn’t getting in and out of a waterbed extremely difficult?
The answer to this question truly depends on the type of waterbed you want to invest in. New Soft-Sided waterbeds, with their foam edging, are no problem to get in and out of, as they directly resemble conventional beds. However, Hard-Sided models are encased by a sturdy wood frame that may take some practice to easily get in and out of.
Is it true that waterbeds are not for pet owners?
Many believe that waterbeds and pets, with their sharp claws and teeth, cannot coexist. However, this is a complete over-exaggeration. While accidents can and occasionally do happen, your pet puncturing a water mattress is highly unlikely so long as necessary precautions are taken, such as always keeping nails properly trimmed and promptly replacing your mattress cover when you wash it. This cover is very thick and protects against many things, including pet damage.
Don’t the plastics in waterbed manufacturing contain hazardous substances?
When investing in a water mattress it is important to make sure of the quality and construction before buying. While most mattresses contain no harmful components and are guaranteed made from 100% PVC (poly vinyl chloride), this can be less clear within cheaper product lines.
Won’t the vinyl mattress and heating make me sweat more?
The heating system of a waterbed can be set to any temperature that is desired, most of the time being set between 27°C and 30°C (or about skin temperature). Such settings do not induce sweating, but rather maintain body temperature for therapeutic and relaxation purposes. Also, the vinyl is not a factor in inducing sweating, as this is always covered by a thick mattress cover.
Isn’t heating a water mattress a big fire safety risk?
Waterbed heating systems are comprised of a heating mat which is installed underneath the mattress and an adjustable thermostat that sets outside of the bed. Quality heating systems have heat sensors built in to electrically safeguard them, and all are tested by various electrical inspection agencies. So long these systems are used according to manufacturer’s directions, they are very safe.
Are waterbeds safe for children?
Proper back support is very important to all, but especially to young developing bodies. Throughout childhood, from infancy to early adulthood, the back is forming and taking on its shape. Malformations are very hard to change and correct later in life. It is for these reasons that waterbeds are actually very beneficial for a developing child. There are specially designed crib water mattresses that can take an infant from the aquatic qualities of the womb directly back to water, which has been clinically proven to promote quicker growth and development due to deeper, uninterrupted sleep, to full-sized water mattresses that can take them through adulthood on the most supportive, relaxing sleep systems available.
If I have a power outage, won’t my bed become cold and clammy and take a large amount of time and energy to readjust its temperature?
Due to the natural insulating properties of water that comes from its specific heat, combined with many other means of insulation on a waterbed (interior foam, thick mattress covers and your own linens/comforters), even when power is lost, a waterbed will cool down very slowly. Therefore, a power outage of even a few hours will not cause any extreme temperature difference in your water mattress and will not require large amounts of time or energy to readjust its temperature.
Don’t only eccentric, rebellious or unhealthy individuals actually choose to invest in a waterbed?
In the early years of waterbeds, they were seen as a gimmick and luxury for the eccentric, or for specific use in medical facilities. However, these ideas have continued in a new technological age for waterbeds where complete support and relaxation are attainable through a proper sleeping system; the waterbed. Waterbeds eliminate the pressure points that other conventional beds actually cause, and also combine heat, lumbar support and various motion systems to therapeutically relax and ease you to sleep. Waterbeds therefore support the most healthful, uninterrupted sleep possible and are actually very useful to everyone. |
