Waterbed Sheets? What About Normal Sheets?

Waterbed sheets would seem strange if you already have sheets but they are distinctly different to standard bed sheets and this is for good reason.

Getting sheets to stay on a vinyl surface can be difficult plus a mattress full of water can be difficult to manoeuvre to change sheets on.

The answer is that at minimum you want a mattress pad for two reasons, to keep body oils off the vinyl to avoid slow degradation of the vinyl but also to stop sheets slipping.

Over time you will realise that waterbed sheets are the way forward. They are generally pocketed at corners, have elasticated corner straps or have poles for slipping between frame and mattress for hard side waterbeds.

You'll find numerous styles of sheets made from a great many types of fabric so your not spoilt for choice and in terms of price they are not that far different from normal bed sheets, essential no just preferable.

Should I Get A Waterbed Liner?

What about waterbed liners?

It's likely if you buy a bed it will come with a purpose made safety liner and hey it's a cheap insurance policy that will never be needed so fine.

But if you are building your own or trying to assemble a bed from various sources it's probably wise not to miss out on a liner at the prices these come in at.

At the end of the day a double skin is better than a single so I would opt for a liner even though I understand trouble is unlikely.

What About A Waterbed Pump?

OK what about a waterbed pump? Well these can be inexpensive but not something your going to need every day.

You don't need them for carrying out a repair, you really only need them for relocating the bed and that's only if you don't have a tube mattress.

You generally have two choices for pumps, a non electric venturi pump or a good old electric pump. Frankly, venturi pumps are great in scientific theory but pants in practice.

Your best option...hire an electric pump from u-haul at a reasonable rate for a weekend. You won't have to be concerned about shelling out on something that will be sitting in the closet for years and the electric pump will be fast, efficient and hassle free.

Should I Buy A Waterbed Repair Kit

I wouldn't bother going out and buying a patch or repair kit for a new bed, that a bit like egging on the devil but hey I'm superstitious.

No the truth is you buy a new bed it isn't going to go bad for you. It just won't unless you are singularly the most unlucky person to have ever bought a waterbed. (And if you are that person, I apologise, but I don't really want to share in your tale of woe!).

Joking aside, waterbeds are tough as old boots, a technology road tested to destruction, vinyl fabrication isn't in it's infancy any more. Now old waterbeds on the other hand, as vinyl ages it goes stiff and can have a tendency to crack and weep (were talking 15+ years here) giving rise to the need for a repair or patch kit, but a new bed shouldn't have these problems.

New or unaged vinyl is tough and resistant to damage. Where you have bed that has a damaged seam, throw it out, it can not be repaired and no kit will do a satisfactory job. So in summary don't bother with a kit unless your bed is getting on a little and to be honest if it is consider the convenience of buying a new bladder at a relatively low cost instead of repairing.

What Are Waterbed Accessories?

When it comes to waterbeds you tend to find there is a huge number of accessories that go with them, some of the long list are perceived to be essential waterbed accessories and others are a little superfluous and tend to trade on the fear factor.

So how do you navigate the mine field of options if you have little or no experience? (Well reading this site will give you a degree of incite but supposing you haven't got time for that we will briefly summaries your options here).

Well lets start with a list of the likely items you will come across. The list will likely include heaters (of which there are a number of different styles and types), conditioners or treatments (again various types, solutions, tablets, powders etc), waterbed sheets (note not just any sheets), liners, pumps and drains and repair or patch kits.

All these accessories have their place and at some time may be important to have but you don't necessarily have to buy them all at once to get a decent experience out of your waterbed.