Waterbed Water Treatment

Filling your waterbed is relatively simple. From burbing out the bubbles to getting the firmness of your waterbed just right, don't forget to have the right waterbed water treatment chemicals handy. Failing to use the right waterbed chemicals in the proper amounts can lead to a host of problems. Using the right waterbed water treatment can help to protect your investment and keep your waterbed clean and problem free.

Left untreated or conditioned, the water in your bed can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can lead to unpleasant odors and damage to the mattress. In other words, your waterbed can quickly turn into something that resembles a grade school science project unless you take care to properly treat the water. To keep bacteria from gaining a foothold most waterbed manufacturers recommend treating the water every six months.

Waterborne bacteria can multiply very rapidly and this bacterial growth can be invisible to the naked eye. Most of us have seen rain water that has puddled in the warm sun for several days. Algae and other bacterial growths can be seen quite clearly. The growth is usually accompanied by an unpleasant, stale odor. The same conditions found in that puddle can exist inside your waterbed mattress even though the bed was filled with fresh tap water.

Never fill your waterbed without using the proper type of waterbed water treatment. Improper conditioning of the water can drastically shorten the life of the vinyl. If your bed has not been treated in awhile, or has noticeably bad water, the bed will need to be completely drained. While the mattress is empty, give it good going over and look for wear spots or areas where the vinyl is brittle and discolored, especially where it makes contact with the heater.

Every waterbed manufacturer makes specific recommendations for the type of waterbed water treatment that should be used and the proper amount. The amount of waterbed water treatment used depends on the size of your bed and whether you have a single water bladder type mattress or a tubular waterbed.

Blabber type waterbed mattresses usually require the use of liquid water treatments. Tubular waterbeds typically call for the use of water treatment tablets. Tubular waterbeds also need to be maintained in the same manner though the smaller water cylinders are much easier to handle, drain and clean.

If the mattress, tubes frame and heater assembly looks as it should, fill the mattress with ten to fifteen gallons of fresh water and slush it around in order to rinse out as much funky stuff as possible. Place the mattress back in the frame and begin to refill it, pausing long enough to add the recommended amount of conditioner. Resume filling the bed and burp the mattress to remove any trapped air.