
Top Ten Waterbed Problems: Are Waterbeds Bad For You
- Heated Waterbeds Benefit Sore, Stiff Muscles. If the sleeper suffers from a pain condition, such as a bad back, the...
- The Conforming Ability Of A Waterbed Means Even Weight Distribution For The Sleeper. The ability of a waterbed’s...
- Percentage Of People Who Say They Get Relief From Back Pain. Fifteen percent of new...
Why are waterbeds considered to be bad?
Negatives:
- Sheets are much more expensive unless you have a waterbed which is the same size as a conventional mattress
- Dealers are hard to find and often overpriced when you find them
- So many people have a negative opinion of them due to years of bad rumors being spread
Why you should sleep on a waterbed?
Waterbed sleep contributes to a more relaxed feeling in the morning and helps to reduce morning stiffness. Water mattresses do not impair blood circulation or create bed sores, because of the even support distribution and reduction of localized body pressure. When sleeping on a waterbed, patients require less pain medication to sleep comfortably.
How comfortable are waterbeds?
- To increase the firmness level of a waterbed, it may be necessary to remove water, not add it. ...
- The water inside the mattress does not need to be changed regularly, but it does need to be conditioned. ...
- The average lifespan of a vinyl waterbed mattress is 10-15 years, but vinyl will harden and crack over time. ...
Are waterbeds good for back pain?
Sleeping on a waterbed is a well-known treatment for many who suffer from backaches. These beds provide an equal distribution of weight across the whole body, taking pressure off the back and evenly supporting all joints, which allows the spine to relax and leads to less pain and discomfort.

What are the disadvantages of a waterbed?
List of the Cons of a WaterbedSome people feel nausea when laying on a waterbed. ... A waterbed might offer no support for your body. ... There is always a risk that the waterbed could leak. ... Waterbeds can often produce strange odors. ... It is challenging to find sheets for a waterbed.More items...•
Why do people not use waterbeds anymore?
“It got to the point where many landlords wouldn't even allow a water bed inside of their buildings,” Fish says. As the novelty wore off, sleep stores began to focus on higher-end conventional mattresses, and replacement parts for water beds became harder to find, Fish says.
Are waterbeds unsafe?
1) It's not safe to allow babies or toddlers on a waterbed. The soft surface, with its molding tendencies, can cause an incredibly dangerous situation for babies. For example, it could obstruct an infant's breathing when they are unable to lift his or her head.
Are waterbeds actually good for you?
Water beds are as much supportive like the mattresses. In fact, manufacturers have used heavy vinyl mattresses to allow for adequate back support. Water beds also allow semi-wave action, full wave action or no wave action, which increases its benefits for back health.
Has anyone died from a waterbed?
There were 2 modes of death associated with waterbeds. In 68 deaths (86%), the cause of death was listed as airway obstruction. The infants were found in the prone position, face down on the soft, nonpermeable surface of the waterbed, and death was apparently caused by airway obstruction.
Do waterbeds get moldy?
Sometimes mold begins to grow on the exterior surface of a waterbed mattress when there is a leak in the mattress. A small leak may go unnoticed for a while, but the warmth and moisture makes a perfect environment for mold.
What are water beds filled with?
A waterbed, also known as a flotation mattress, is a vinyl mattress filled with water. Waterbeds consist of water tubes called bladders and are either one large bag or a group of tiny tubes. Modern-day waterbeds support themselves, eliminating the need for a separate frame.
How does a waterbed feel?
You get that lovely bathtime feeling without getting you wet. The overall effect is akin to your body floating weightless, as if you're inside a sensory deprivation tank, but without all of the claustrophobia, or the need to be completely naked.
Can cats pop a waterbed?
It completely zips to a side and bottom panel so your furry friend cannot puncture it.
Are water beds legal?
According to California law, for example, landlords may only outright ban waterbeds in homes that were built before 1973. If the home is newer than that, the landlord cannot ban waterbeds but can require a $100,000 insurance policy, 24-hours installation notice, and that the tenant follows specific rules.
Do waterbeds hurt your back?
“There's nothing wrong with trying a waterbed for back pain. There's nothing wrong with trying a soft or firm mattress either. In fact, my advice is to test different kinds of beds to find the one that feels best to you. “I do tell patients about my own experience during over 30 years of spine practice,” he continues.
Who invented the water bed?
Fifty years ago, Charlie Hall introduced the water bed to the modern world as part of his master’s thesis project at San Francisco State. (Fascinating fact: It started as a chair filled with Jell-O.) From there, he filed for a patent and launched the first water bed company.
Why did Hall add padding between the water and the body?
To accommodate this, Hall added more padding between the water and the body, which minimized a waterbed’s original advantages: reduced pressure on the body and the ability to control the bed’s temperature. But after an overhaul, it’s coming back for another round.
Do you need special sheets for afloat bed?
And this go-around, you don’t need to purchase special water bed sheets; any standard bed linens fit.
Who invented the waterbed?
The inventor of the modern day waterbed was an industrial design student named Charles Hall, who in 1968 submitted a waterbed prototype (made with a vinyl mattress rather than a rubber one) for his masters thesis project. Hall wanted to rethink furniture design, and was taken with the idea of fluid-filled interiors.
Who wrote about waterbeds?
In the mid 20th century, science fiction writer Robert Heinlein —inspired by the months he spent bedridden with tuberculosis in the 1930s— described waterbeds in great detail in three of his novels.
How much was the waterbed business in 1984?
By 1984, waterbeds were a $2 billion business. At the height of their popularity, in 1987, 22 percent of all mattress sales in the U.S. were waterbed mattresses. Ranger232, YouTube. Here’s the thing about waterbeds, though: They were high maintenance.
What was the waterbed in the 70s?
Although many associate waterbeds with strait-laced suburban living, back in the ‘70s they were a symbol of the free-flowing counterculture movement —more likely to be sold with incense and Doors albums than with fluffy pillows and high thread count sheets.
What were the features of the beds that Dr. Seuss designed?
The beds he envisioned had a sturdy frame, were temperature-controlled, and contained pumps that allowed patients to control the water level inside the mattress. There were also compartments for drinks and snacks, which sounds really convenient.
When did waterbeds become popular?
Although they were most popular in that decade of boomboxes and acid-washed jeans, waterbeds had been gaining steam since the late 1960s, and in retrospect seem to have more substance to them than other notorious fads.
Who owns the waterbed doctor?
Marty Pojar, owner of The Waterbed Doctor (which takes mainly online and phone orders), told The Orange County Register that most of his orders come from customers in the Midwest and Northeast, where customers want to hop into a warm bed on cold winter nights.
Is a waterbed bad for you?
The problem is that waterbeds have a number of health issues. First up, waterbeds are bad for you back. The problem is that they do not shape themselves to your body in the same way as other superior mattress materials do. Rather, what they do is force the body to conform to the mattress’s shape. This means that the sleeper’s muscles spend ...
Do waterbeds have shoulder pads?
Luckily for most people, waterbeds went out with big shoulder pads and mullets. However, there are some people- mostly those who spent up to ten thousand dollars on one in the 80s and don’t want to admit it was a waste of money- who still think that waterbeds are the be all and end all. The problem is that waterbeds have a number of health issues.
Do waterbeds have heaters?
Third, all waterbeds have got heaters in them. Otherwise the bed would be freezing cold. Those heaters produce a low frequency magnetic field. This magnetic field has been shown to contribute to certain forms of cancer, meaning that it is the last thing you should be spending a third of your life on.
Why is a waterbed good for you?
Because the mattress is filled with water, it conforms to your body. A water-filled mattress offers no resistance either, so pressure on the joints is decreased. In many cases, waterbeds also help relax muscles in the spine, providing relief to individuals with back pain.
What is a waterbed mattress?
A waterbed may seem like a novelty item, but water-filled mattresses can be a viable alternative to a traditional mattress. They are usually made from a polyvinyl material but contain a stretchable top layer to make them more comfortable. Many models are equipped with bladders that hold the water to help stabilize the bed and help reduce ...
What causes a musty smell on a waterbed?
If bacteria is present, a musty scent may develop. Bacteria that grows on the surface of the mattress, heater pad or liner can be washed away, but those that form on the inside of the mattress are nearly impossible to get rid of, so your waterbed may need to be thrown out. Advertisement.
Why do people use water beds?
Waterbeds provide the sensation of floating on waves, which can be extremely relaxing for many individuals. If you have difficulty falling asleep, the soothing feeling of the water beneath you may actually help you drift off. In addition, the waves can help relax muscles so you almost feel as though you have had a massage after a long day.
Is a waterbed mattress good for allergies?
Pro: Good for Allergies. Because a waterbed mattress is composed of a vinyl material, there are no fibers for dirt, dust and other debris to settle. As a result, waterbeds are ideal for allergy sufferers. A waterbed mattress is also relatively easy to clean, requiring only a cloth and vinyl cleaner to wipe it down.
Can a waterbed be heated?
Pro: Can Be Heated. During the cold winter months, a waterbed can be heated so you never have to worry about slipping beneath cold sheets. Many waterbeds actually feature adjustable heating systems, so you can select the exact temperature that you prefer for the mattress.
Is it easy to clean a waterbed mattress?
A waterbed mattress is also relatively easy to clean, requiring only a cloth and vinyl cleaner to wipe it down. Since the mattress is so easy to clean, dust mites do not have a chance to accumulate either, which can help reduce the incidence of allergic reactions, eczema and asthma as well. Advertisement.
Who invented the waterbed?
The inventor of the modern day waterbed was an industrial design student named Charles Hall, who in 1968 submitted a waterbed prototype (made with a vinyl mattress rather than a rubber one) for his masters thesis project. Hall wanted to rethink furniture design, and was taken with the idea of fluid-filled interiors.
Who wrote about waterbeds?
In the mid 20th century, science fiction writer Robert Heinlein —inspired by the months he spent bedridden with tuberculosis in the 1930s— described waterbeds in great detail in three of his novels.
How much was the waterbed business in 1984?
By 1984, waterbeds were a $2 billion business. At the height of their popularity, in 1987, 22 percent of all mattress sales in the U.S. were waterbed mattresses. Here’s the thing about waterbeds, though: They were high maintenance.
When did waterbeds become popular?
Although they were most popular in that decade of boomboxes and acid-washed jeans, waterbeds had been gaining steam since the late 1960s, and in retrospect seem to have more substance to them than other notorious fads.
Who owns the waterbed doctor?
Marty Pojar, owner of The Waterbed Doctor (which takes mainly online and phone orders), told The Orange County Register that most of his orders come from customers in the Midwest and Northeast, where customers want to hop into a warm bed on cold winter nights.
Who invented the rubber mattress?
In 1853, Dr. William Hooper of Portsmouth, England patented a therapeutic rubber mattress that could be filled with water. It, too, was for hospital patients suffering from poor circulation and bedsores.
What were the features of the beds that Dr. Seuss designed?
The beds he envisioned had a sturdy frame, were temperature-controlled, and contained pumps that allowed patients to control the water level inside the mattress. There were also compartments for drinks and snacks, which sounds really convenient.
Why did waterbeds disappear?
They were an important part of the 1970s boho hippie culture, and were made popular with slogans that advertised its importance to a potential spouse (along with owning a car and keeping a great job). Hugh Hefner was said to have owned one with a Tasmanian possum hair cover.
What is the waterbed associated with?
Thanks to the era in which it was born, the waterbed became associated with what pop culture now calls "the summer of love.". Along with other icons like the VW camper, the waterbed became synonymous with sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll.
When was the waterbed invented?
Water beds were the result of a master's thesis. The waterbed was invented in 1968 by Charles Hall, who presented it as his thesis project at San Francisco State University. His original prototype featured mattresses filled with starch and Jell-O (those early prototypes were failures). And because the mattress was meant to get rid ...
When did waterbeds become a business?
By the time the 1990s rolled around, mattress manufacturers had gotten savvy about making more comfortable beds, and waterbeds went from being a $2 billion business in 1984 to occupying a niche market today.
Do waterbeds come with a valve?
Waterbeds came with issues. Shutterstock. If you were trendy enough to buy a waterbed, it was delivered to you like airbeds are now — empty. And like airbeds, they can be filled with a valve, but unlike airbeds, waterbed mattresses had to be filled with water that came through a hose that was connected to a tap.
Why do we sleep on waterbeds?
Sleeping on a waterbed leaves you delightfully free of pressure points — you only experience conforming, enveloping support.
How many waterbeds did the public buy?
Over the industry’s 20-year heyday, consumers purchased between 25 and 30 million waterbeds.
Do spring coil beds go unnoticed?
This surge in sales did not go unnoticed by the spring coil bed industry. While some of the “spring bed” manufacturers did add some waterbed-type beds to their lines, most did not. Instead, unlike the stupid waterbed people, the spring coil bed makers were smart.
