How to Move a Waterbed

If you are moving long distance or will have the mattress stored for a while:

  • Drain the waterbed mattress flat using an electric draining pump which you have rented or purchased from a waterbed supply store.
  • Treat the mattress with a double dose of a quality waterbed conditioner such as AquaSafe+ Conditioner to protect the mattress from bacterial growth.
  • Place a blanket on top and underneath the mattress.
  • Fold the mattress in half and then in half again or fold the mattress in from the top to the middle then from the bottom to the middle.
  • Place the mattress in a cardboard box for protection while moving
  • When setting the bed up, fill the mattress and include a double dose of a quality waterbed conditioner such as AquaSafe+ Conditioner to protect the mattress from bacterial growth.

If you are moving the mattress and unpacking it immediately:

  • Drain the waterbed mattress flat using an electric draining pump which you have rented or purchased from a waterbed supply store.
  • Place a blanket on top and underneath the mattress.
  • Roll the mattress from one end to the other
  • The mattress can be placed in a cardboard box for protection while moving
  • Set the bed up and fill the mattress immediately. Include a double dose of a quality waterbed conditioner such as AquaSafe+ Conditioner to protect the mattress from bacterial growth.

 

How to Fill a Watermattress

Step 1 From the bathroom faucet, remove the aerator by unscrewing it. (If your bathroom faucet does not have an aerator, you will have to use your kitchen faucet or an outside faucet.)

 

Step 2 Attach the faucet connector you purchased with your waterbed maintenance kit into your faucet. Next attach in a garden hose to the faucet connector. Make a tight fit to avoid spray leakage (a towel placed over the faucet while filling will keep any leakage from spraying.) To help eliminate unclean water in your bed, flush running water through the garden hose for a minimum of 10 minutes before filling your bed.
Step 3 Attach the waterbed hose connector onto your garden hose. Insert it into your "popped-up" valve and attach the hose connector and valve securely together to avoid leakage. Wrap a towel around this connector to soak up any unavoidable leakage.
Step 4 Pour in your waterbed conditioner. Fill your waterbed with mild to warm water approximately one quarter to one half inch below the side of the frame boards. Shut off the water and remove the hose.
Step 5 Remove the air bubbles inside the mattress. Do this by "pushing" them with a broomstick towards the valve which is "popped up". Remove all the bubbles or they will create a "sloshing" sound. You will have to remove air bubbles again in about three days and also occasionally thereafter.
Step 6 Insert the plug and securely screw on the cap. Plug in your temperature control system according to specific manufacturer's instructions and turn the thermostat to 85. Within 3 days, you can more accurately adjust up or down to your comfort.
Step 7 This close up photo shows how to insert your cap and plug without allowing air to get in the mattress and without allowing water to spill out. Your cap and plug may be a one piece design. Not separate as shown.

How to Drain a Waterbed

Step 1 ALWAYS unplug your waterbed heater before draining or filling your waterbed.

First, unplug your temperature control unit. The best and easiest way to drain the bed is to obtain an electric draining pump from your local retailer, or, insert your garden hose with waterbed hose connector into the "popped-up" valve.

Step 2 Weight down the area around the valve with a few heavy objects, such as telephone books. This step will help prevent air bubbles inside the mattress from getting into your garden hose and stopping the siphoning action you will create.
Step 3 Mount your drain pump to your closest faucet and attach your garden hose. Make sure your fittings are tight. With the "bell valve" in the "up" position, turn on the water to put more water in to mattress. This step pushes the air in your hose into your bed so you can create the continuous water siphon you need. (If you do not have a drain pump, see below for further instructions.)
Step 4 Once water is flowing into the bed for a few seconds, turn the "bell valve" to the "down" position, leaving the water flowing full blast. The water from your faucet flowing through your drain pump will suck the water out of your bed. This will take one or two hours depending on water pressure. Do not allow air to get in the hose.
Step 5 If you have a motion reduced mattress you must show special care while draining and moving your bed to prevent the interior baffles from shifting. HOLD THE BAFFLES IN PLACE IN THE MATTRESS AND LIFT UP ONE END. This will allow the remaining water to flow toward the valve.
Step 6 FOLD YOUR MATTRESS CAREFULLY. DO NOT LET THE BAFFLES SHIFT OUT OF PLACE. If any shifting does occur, you should reposition them before refilling your mattress.

How do I Drain My Waterbed Without a Drain Pump?

  1. ALWAYS unplug your waterbed heater before draining or filling your waterbed.
  2. Attach your garden hose onto an outside faucet (the hose can go up through an open window).
  3. Turn on the water for fifteen seconds. This pushes the air in the garden hose into your bed so you can create a continuous water siphon.
  4. Turn off the water. Disconnect the hose from the faucet and let it drop to the ground. As long as the end of the hose is lower than your waterbed, gravity will siphon the water out.

What do I do about a Defective Cap and/or Insert?

  • If a cap becomes loose or stripped, replace with a new cap, or add a piece of electrical tape around the valve which could provide a tighter fit.
  • If the valve stem threading is stripped, a new cap will not help. This would not be considered a manufacturers defect. This is a result of excessive force when removing or tightening the cap.