 |
1. What are the
benefits of sleeping afloat?
The phenomenal growth of the waterbed market is mainly due to 5 explicit
benefits that sleeping on water offers: complete body support, pleasant
confort with no pressure points, relaxing warmth, a hygienic sleeping
surface and long life. All these points are discussed in the questions
below. The fact that in the last 20 years, more than 60 million waterbeds
have been sold and that now more than 100 million people are sleeping
on a waterbed proves that more and more consumers are convinced of
the benefits.
2. Who invented the waterbed?
The oldest report of the use of waterbeds dates from more than 3000
years ago. In those days, the Persians slept on goatskin waterbags
heated by the sun. The next development came in 1851 when the British
doctor Dr. William Hooper recognised the benefits of a pressure-free
waterbed surface and introduced them for the treatment of certain
medical disorders. He designed and patented a simple rubber watermattress.
Towards the end of the 1960s, the American, Charles Hall, refined
this concept and by using modern materials and production techniques
created the PVC mattress that we are now familiar with.
Charles Hall, Dr. Cooper and all their predecessors used only water,
the most natural substance, as support for the body. The water acts
as an anti-gravity device. In that state of reduced pressure and apparent
weightlessness, our body can relax more deeply. So, by sleeping more
deeply, we can increase the rejuvenating action of our sleep. That,
in a nutshell, is what sleeping afloat on a waterbed is all about.
3. What are the different types of waterbed?
In essence, there are 3 types of waterbed. Hard-side waterbeds, Soft-side
waterbeds and tube watermattresses.
The hard-side waterbed is the original type. In this now somewhat
outdated design, the watermattress sits directly in a strong wooden
surround that provides side support. The whole thing rests on a base
plate, which is supported by a plinth and weight distributors. Between
the mattress and the surround, there is a safety lining that can catch
any water in the event of a leak.
The modern variant of the waterbed is called the Soft-side. With this
type, the watermattress is supported at the side by a foam edging.
In the most modern waterbeds, this foam edge is divided into a lower
fixed foam edge, and an upper hinged foam rail. The support from this
foam edge ensures that a Soft-side waterbed can stand alone or can
be fitted into an existing bedframe. The latter is particularly suited
to Soft-side waterbeds with a divided foam edge.
The tube watermattress is not actually a waterbed, but a thin layer
of water that is laid on top of a foam mattress. Because this thin
water layer weighs much less, it can usually be laid on an ordinary
bed, without any extra support. However, many of the benefits of a
waterbed are lost.
4. Are there different types of watermattress?
Yes, there are. The difference lies in the surface and the filling
of the watermattress. The first waterbeds were made of a smooth PVC
film that contained only water. These mattresses are called unstabilised
or free-flow mattresses. Various methods are used nowadays to dampen
the after movement of the watermattress. The use of cylinders, compartments
or fibre mats allow watermattresses of different stability grades
to be made. Which stability grade to use is a matter of personal choice.
It is important to make sure that the level of stability does not
affect the pure sense of sleeping on water.
Modern watermattresses are being produced more and more with an extra,
stretchable top layer. This increases the comfort and adjustability
of your watermattress yet further. Some of the stretch systems are
better thought out than others. You have to try for yourself to see
which you like best.
There is also a distinction between one-piece (uno) and two-piece
(dual) watermattresses. Your dealer will be able to explain which
type is best for you.
5. What sizes are waterbeds available in?
Most makes of waterbed are available in a number of standard sizes
equivalent to current mattress sizes. For hard-side waterbeds, we
are talking about standard American sizes. Some makes offer made-to-measure
too. It is important to make sure that with an abnormal size, it is
not just the foam edging that is made wider, with the actual water
surface left unchanged.
back to top
6. What kinds of bed surrounds can be used
A modern Soft-side waterbed can be built into any bed surround and
will then look just like any ordinary mattress. Soft-side waterbeds
with a divided foam edge are the easiest type to use as built-in wterbeds.
Hard-side watermattresses need a solid wooden frame to provide side
support to the watermattress. Specially designed bed surrounds are
usually used in this case.
7. Is a waterbed good for my back?
A waterbed supports your back in the best possible way. When you lie
on a watermattress, the water moves so that it takes up the precise
shape of your body. The bed doesn’t sag, but adjusts precisely
and instantly to your body, whatever your weight. These properties,
combined with the dramatically reduced pressure on the surface and
the wonderful warmth, provide the ideal support for your back.
8. Do waterbeds have medical benefits?
Waterbeds have many medical benefits. The waterbed was, after all,
already in use in the medical world before it become a commercial
success on the open market. It was discovered that the state of apparent
weightlessness helped enormously in preventing and curing bedsores
and in the treatment of severe burns. The gentle, even support and
the warmth of a waterbed are also beneficial for people who suffer
arthritis, rheumatism and certain back disorders. Furthermore, waterbeds
are extensively used in the care of premature babies and are a great
help for pregnant women. Because no dust or bacteria can lodge in
a sealed watermattress and because a watermattress is easy to clean,
it is also frequently used in the treatment of allergies and asthma.
And finally, it has been proven that one falls asleep faster and achieves
a deeper sleep on a waterbed. A good uninterrupted night’s rest
is generally considered one of the best medicines. The support, the
comfort and the warmth all contribute to better health and a more
relaxed air.
9. Isn’t it better to sleep on a firm bed?
The worst surface to sleep on is a soft, sagging bed. Therefore, some
years ago, firm mattresses were strongly advocated. These offer a
better support that the sagging beds of yore but the hard contact
surface still forces your back into an unnatural position and creates
uncomfortable pressure points. For this reason, the better bedding
manufacturers started developing more and more towards highly adjustable
sleeping systems. The breakthrough of the sprung slatted bases was
part of this development. The sleeping system that adjusts best to
your body, however, is the watermattress. A watermattress is not a
‘soft’ mattress, but in contrast a perfectly supporting
sleeping system. Sleeping on a hard mattress is totally passé
and is recommended by fewer and fewer experts.
10. Won’t I wake my partner when I climb into bed?
This is highly unlikely, unless you literally dive into bed. But that’s
likely to wake your partner on a traditional mattress too. The more
strongly your waterbed is stabilised the less it propagates your movements.
In a well stabilised waterbed, your movements will only produce a
slight and short undulation, which is usually not considered to be
disturbing. Certain sophisticated stretch patterns (diagonal) reduce
propagation movement over the mattress surface.
11. Won’t I get seasick?
We have never heard of anyone suffering this problem. A waterbed,
after all, only moves if you move, and such movement is instantly
dampened by the stabilisation. You should also remember that you till
toss and turn much less on a waterbed because of the reduced pressure.
12. How long does a waterbed last?
Watermattresses have been tested under laboratory conditions for an
equivalent of 20 years and many of the very first waterbeds are still
in everyday use. Most waterbed manufacturers guarantee a minimum life
of 2 years. The actual life is much longer and heavily depends on
how well the sleeping system is looked after. The life of a watermattress
depends, of course, on the type of vinyl used and the quality of the
seams. In practice, you should get five to ten years from your watermattress
and possibly more. Generally they can be replaced for a comparatively modest sum.
Finally, the important factor is that the support element in a watermattress
is the water itself. Water does not wear and tear. So, the comfort
and the supporting properties of a watermattress do not change over
the years, in contrast to the properties of a traditional mattress.
back to top
13. What guarantee can I get and what does it mean?
The specifications of the guarantee vary widely from make to make,
but the life of the guarantee is 2/3 years on average. What the guarantee
includes is explained in your guarantee certificate.
14. Will a waterbed improve or worsen my sex life?
Actually it won’t make any difference, unless the fact that
the comfortable supporting surface contributes to your sense of well-being.
15. Do waterbeds make a noise?
No. Once all the air has been removed from the watermattress when
it is installed, a waterbed makes no more noise. The very stable construction
of a waterbed and the fact that the weight of water keeps it firmly
in its place means that there is no more of that irritating creaking
traditional bed constructions can produce.
16. Is it easy getting into and out of a waterbed?
This depends very much on the type of waterbed. There is no problem
with a Soft-side waterbed with a soft foam edge. Hard-side waterbeds,
where the edge is made of wood, take a bit more practice. Waterbeds
with an extra pelvic support usually make getting out a bit easier.
17. Can I eat breakfast in a waterbed?
Yes, no problem at all. (if someone is kind enough to bring it you)
18. Can you sit comfortably in a waterbed?
Yes, very comfortably in fact. A good waterbed will, after all, fully
adjust to your body even when you’re sitting. Your legs are
automatically raised a bit because of their lighter weight and in
contrast to adjustable slatted bases, the mattress surface adjusts
precisely to your limbs. So there is one mattress surface over the
whole bed even if one of the partners is sitting and the other lying.
19. How much does a waterbed weigh?
The weight of a waterbed depends on the type. Tube watermattresses
are the lightest, of course, because they contain far less water.
A real waterbed will weigh 210 kg/m2 at the most because the standard
height of a watermattress is 21 cm. The weight may be less than this,
depending on the width and shape of the foam edges.
20. Won’t my waterbed sink through the floor?
We are not aware of any case where a waterbed has sunk though a floor,
or where its weight has caused damage. The weight of a waterbed causes
no trouble. It is, after all, very evenly spread, so that the load
is well spread out. There is a much greater likelihood that a classical
bed with its weight all on four small legs will cause damage.
There has never been any problem of this type even with the heaviest
hard-side waterbeds. A full bed weighs less per square metre than
a full bookcase or refrigerator.
21. Can my waterbed split open?
No. After all, a waterbed is a pressure-free system. Even if you sit
down on your waterbed with the filling inlet open, no water will come
out. Therefore in the exceptional event that your watermattress gets
punctured, the water will only dribble out very slowly between your
mattress and the safety lining.
22. Can my waterbed leak ?
Although rare, this can occassionaly happen. Usually any leak is small
and easily patched, without the need to drain the mattress. All waterbeds
are fitted with a safety liner that ensures that in the event of a
leak, no water can run out of your bed.
back to top
23. Can my pets damage my waterbed?
This is highly unlikely. The cover that encases every watermattress
protects against sharp claws and teeth. There is the chance that your
pets may like to lie on your waterbed as much as you do. But who can
blame them for that??
24. Will my waterbed sag if it’s jumped on?
No, unlike conventional mattresses, a watermattress does not wear
with constant or extra load. The support element in a waterbed, after
all, is the water itself and that keeps its properties for ever. So,
your waterbed will tolerate not only very high loads but it will also
maintain its comfort and spring 100% throughout its life.
25. Can a burning cigarette damage my watermattress?
Yes. Just like any fabric, the cover will be damaged by a burning
cigarette. The watermattress itself will probably be singed only very
superficially. The water under the mattress surface disperses the
heat instantly, after all, so that high temperatures cannot build
up in the vinyl. The vinyl of filled watermattress can usually not
be punctured by a cigarette. If through carelessness, you do singe
your waterbed, sticking on a repair patch will suffice to maintain
the normal life of your waterbed. Smoking in bed remains dangerous
and bad for your health, of course, even in a waterbed.
26. Can my waterbed be punctured?
Yes, but it is highly unlikely. Sharp objects that end up in your
bed by accident, after all, first have to penetrate the thick cover
before they can puncture your watermattress. The chances of a puncture
can be almost totally ruled out if you use your waterbed normally.
27. Can I mend leaks myself?
Mending a small leak in a watermattress is very easy. Because punctures
usually happen on the top side of a watermattress, very little water
will run out and you can mend the leak without having to empty the
mattress. Repair kits are available from your waterbed dealer. Avoid
repair kits intended for other purposes. Once a repair patch has
been stuck on, the watermattress
is as good as new again. A well repaired leak does not affect the
life of your watermattress.
28. Can a waterbed be fitted into an existing bed frame?
A soft-side waterbed can, in principle, be fitted into any existing
bedframe. The waterbed, in its entirety, with its own support is fitted
into the bedframe. Some types of soft-sides are better suited to this
than others. The types with a horizontally divided foam edge are the
most suitable. Not only will the appearance be improved by this type
of installation, but it will also be easier to use. Some makes offer
customisation free of charge, so that your waterbed fits your bedframe
perfectly.
29. How is my waterbed installed?
It is best to have a waterbed installed by an expert. In that way
you can be sure that is has been installed correctly and that the
water volume is right for you. Installation of a waterbed usually
takes 1½ to 2 hours. Most of that time is taken up filling
the mattress with water. Installation times will thus depend on the
flow rate of the water in your home.
30. Don’t the plastics in waterbed contain hazardous
substances?
Water mattresses are these days generally made from quality vinyls,
entirely safe to users.
back to top
31. What kind of water is used in a waterbed?
Ordinary mains water.
32. How often do I have to change the water
The water in a watermattress only needs to be changed if you move
house. A conditioner is added at regular intervals to prevent growth
of algae and bacteria in your watermattress.
33. How do I have to look after my waterbed?
The conditioner that is added at regular intervals keeps the water
in your watermattress fresh. Apart from that, you can clean the mattress
surface with a special vinyl cleaner. You can also wash or clean most
covers. How the cover has to be cleaned depends on the particular
washing instructions. All this means that a waterbed is a perfectly
hygienic sleeping system. With regular maintenance, you can also avoid
the build-ups of skin scales, body salts, house dust mites, bacteria
and moulds that you get with traditional mattresses. This is particularly
beneficial for allergy sufferers.
34. Is a waterbed easy to move when you move house ?
That depends on the type and make. Some makes can be dismantled into
convenient parts that fit into an ordinary private car. It is important
to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when emptying and
refilling a watermattress. Most waterbed dealers also provide a removal
service.
35. Can you make a waterbed firmer by filling it up more?
Usually not. This only holds for tube watermattresses. Every waterbed
has its ideal volume of water, determined by the height of the mattress,
the shape of the mattress and the weight of the users. How firm a
mattress feels depends more on the stabilisation system used and any
extra pelvic support there is in the watermattress. Most makes offer
various grades of stabilisation and you can choose the one that suits
you best.
36. Do the foam edges of a soft-side waterbed hold their
shape?
The latest waterbeds, in which non-deformable plastic profiles are
used in the construction of the side walls, guarantee that the waterbed
will not lose its shape. With these beds, the upper foam edge can
also be replaced separately, even without the watermattress’s
having to be emptied. Top quality makes guarantee the foam parts as
well as the watermattress.
37. Will I sweat more in a waterbed?
No. The heating element in a waterbed can be set to any temperature
you like. Most waterbed users prefer a temperature between 27 ºC
and 30 ºC. Because the heat comes from underneath in a waterbed,
no condensation will form in the core of the mattress as happens in
a traditional mattress. Fifteen minutes airing is enough to let the
moisture absorbed into the cover evaporate.
38. Are waterbeds heated?
Waterbeds are always heated by a specially designed heating element.
Usually the water temperature is set at skin temperature, which is
normally around 28 ºC. Good heating elements, however, allow
you to set the temperature accurately, so that you can adjust it however
you like. That pleasant warmth is one of the properties of a waterbed
that is most appreciated.
39. How does the heating work and is it safe?
Waterbed heating comprises a heating mat and an adjustable thermostat.
The heating mat is installed under the watermattress and is connected
to the thermostat, which is sited outside the bed. Good heating elements
have a heat sensor built into the element itself and are electrically
safeguarded.
back to top
40. How much does it cost to heat a waterbed?
A soft-side waterbed is a well-insulated system on account of its
foam edges, its cover and its sealed base. Electricity consumption
averages only about 1 kWh per day. The exact figure depends on the
size of the bed, the temperature of the bedroom, how well-insulating
your quilt is, etc.
As a rule of thumb, a waterbed may consume roughly the same amount
of electricity as a heated towel rail.
41. Can I switch the heating off in the summer?
No. The room temperature even in the summer is not usually sufficient
to keep the water in your waterbed up to temperature. Your waterbed
heating, however, will only come on very occasionally in the summer
and so will use far less electricity. By setting the temperature a
few degrees lower, you can make a waterbed very pleasantly cool on
a hot night. A water temperature of 25 ºC should be considered
the minimum.
42. What happens in a power cut?
Water’s natural insulating properties and high specific heat
mean that a waterbed cools down only very slowly. So, a power cut
of a few hours will not cause any problems.
43. Are waterbeds suitable for children?
Good back support is very important, particularly when you are growing.
That is the time when the back takes on its shape, which will be very
difficult to change or correct in later years. So, a waterbed is the
ideal sleeping system for a growing youngster. It has been proved
that young children fall asleep more quickly, sleep for longer periods
without interruption and are calmer in general if they sleep on a
waterbed.
44. What is included in the price of a waterbed?
Some dealers list their prices with installation included, with others
installation is extra. It’s best to discuss with your dealer
what is and is not included in the price so that there are no horrid
surprises awaiting you. Everything included, a waterbed is much better comfort
per dollar than a good traditional sleeping system. A waterbed is,
after all, bed, mattress support and mattress all in one.
45. Does a waterbed have any drawbacks?
The only drawback with a waterbed is that it is not as easy to move
as a traditional bed and that is will add a few extra hours of work
if you move house.
46. Do I need to take out any special insurance?
Most insurance policies cover waterbeds in the same category as electrical
equipment that uses water, like washing machines and dish washers.
So there’s no need for extra insurance. For specific queries
in this context, it is best to contact your insurance company.
47. What sort of people buy waterbeds?
Now that the waterbed has become more and more established as a healthy,
comfortable sleeping system, you can find “water sleepers”
in all strata of society. Young and old, fat and thin, top sportsmen
and hedonists: they’ve all found their way to the waterbed.
For many, the deciding factor was one or two of the specific benefits
of a waterbed; others elected for this sleeping system because they
heard about it through friends and acquaintances. People who want
to stay healthy as well as those who want to relieve specific ailments
go for a waterbed to make their life more comfortable. A good night’s
rest is, after all, a pre-condition for being in top condition during
the day.
48. Why is there so much talk about waterbeds?
A great del of the popularity of the waterbed is due to word-of-mouth
advertising spread by “water sleepers”. Many people visit
a waterbed dealer on a friend’s recommendation. In Germany,
the Netherlands and Belgium, 5 to 10% of the inhabitants (depending
on the region) are now sleeping in waterbeds. The percentage is even
higher in Scandinavia and the U.S.
49. Can I try out a waterbed?
Some dealers offer a trial period. The precise details and costs associated
with such a provision vary considerably from region to region, and
depend very much on the make and the individual dealer.
50. Do you sleep on a waterbed?
This is a question that crops up more and more. Statistics show that
contented water sleepers quickly convince 5 to 6 of their friends
of the benefits of their sleeping system. What is striking is that
many waterbed dealers started out sleeping on a waterbed and it was
the benefits they experienced from it that convinced them to invest
in their own business.
back to top
| |
|
