How Much Water Do You Put in a Waterbed?

Assembly

• Properly install the waterbed base, frame and decking before adding a heater, mattress liner and the mattress itself. Check that each component is level and centered on top of the previous component before continuing installation. Wipe down the mattress with a vinyl cleanser before you fill it, then wipe any excess water from the surface with a towel afterward.

Water Level

• Fill your waterbed mattress to between 1/4 and 1/2 inch below the top of the wooden bed frame. Soft-side style beds, which consist of a mattress or mattresses enclosed by a foam frame and covered in fabric look like a regular foam bed mattress. Soft-side mattresses feature a printed fill line for your convenience.

Adjustments

• Sleep on the bed for at least one night after filling the mattress to the recommended level. If the mattress bubbles around you, or you and your partner are not level on the bed, you may need to strip the bed and drain some water from the mattress. If you climb on the bed and find your knees touching the decking below the mattress, you may need to add some water. Add or remove water in 1/2-inch increments and test the level between each adjustment.

Maintenance

• Add waterbed conditioner liquid to the mattress(es) at the time of installation and then once every six months according to package directions. Leave the fill valve open, then run a broom across the top of the mattress and force any air bubbles out through the hole. Conditioner will decrease bubble formation, but you still may have to burp the bed periodically. Wipe the mattress with vinyl cleanser each time you change your sheets to keep the vinyl supple and remove dirt and germs.