A soft side waterbed adds a new twist or dimension to the regular hardside waterbed. If you're considering purchasing one, it pays to know more about the bed and everything relating to its usage and maintenance.
Intro
Softside waterbeds look similar to regular mattresses and are available in a range of sizes. In fact, the waterbed is hard to discern until felt physically. These beds are ideal for people who fancy sleeping on water but aren't much into the maintenance and are scared of puncture risks and the bulkiness normally synonymous of hardside waterbeds. This makes softside beds more popular than hardside waterbeds.
Composition
• Mattress Cover - It shouldn't be confused with hardside waterbeds where one is positioned directly on the water bag. Softside waterbeds come with a zippered cover that contains several layers of upholstery, which could be made from different materials and have several layers beneath: memory foam, cotton and/or latex foam, for instance. The thickness of the multiple layers put together is not more than four inches, as increased bulkiness would likely bring down the positives of sleeping on water.
• Foam Rails - A rectangle-shaped foam rail lies beneath the mattress cover to provide the waterbed its edge support, shape and compartment for housing the water bladder. Strong foam rails are at least a couple of pounds in density and must be thinner at the top and wider on the bottom. This design helps maximize sleeping surface while maintaining durability.
• Bladder - These waterbeds either come with mid-fill or shallow-fill bladders. Generally, mid-fill bladders are recommended because they provide additional sleeping benefits.
• Safety Liner - The liner exists to stop water leakage and not let the mattress deflate until the repair work is done.
• Foundation - A sturdy foundation is essential for any softside waterbed to bear water weight. Generally, center beam-equipped wooden foundations are recommended.
Maintenance or Assembly
As these waterbeds come empty, assembly is needed. Modern makers have eased the assembly process, offering bladders in regular hose-size nozzles. But, ensure the assembly instructions are part of the mattress package before making a purchase.
Maintenance is slightly more difficult than assembly, but its necessity is quite infrequent. Conditioner should be added to the bladder water once every year to mitigate bacteria and algae growth. Vinyl care is recommended as well for keeping things supple and smooth, to prevent leaks and cracking. The safety liner won't let the water to exit the mattress, providing you adequate time for mending vinyl. Vinyl repair is straightforward and once done, the bladder should last for several years.
Lifespan
On an average, a quality soft waterbed should come good for at least a decade. Softside beds have a longer lifespan than hardside beds. Fortunately, bladders aren't too expensive and could be replaced easily. Once replaced, the softside waterbed could be used for several years together. Good maintenance and care could extend the bladder's lifespan too. In its original state, vinyl is hard plastic, and not flexible and soft like a fresh mattress. Softside waterbeds have a comparatively longer lifespan due to the bladder lying below several layers of material. Body oils and dirt augment the vinyl hardening activity and with hardside waterbeds, you are sleeping on the bladder directly.
Intro
Softside waterbeds look similar to regular mattresses and are available in a range of sizes. In fact, the waterbed is hard to discern until felt physically. These beds are ideal for people who fancy sleeping on water but aren't much into the maintenance and are scared of puncture risks and the bulkiness normally synonymous of hardside waterbeds. This makes softside beds more popular than hardside waterbeds.
Composition
• Mattress Cover - It shouldn't be confused with hardside waterbeds where one is positioned directly on the water bag. Softside waterbeds come with a zippered cover that contains several layers of upholstery, which could be made from different materials and have several layers beneath: memory foam, cotton and/or latex foam, for instance. The thickness of the multiple layers put together is not more than four inches, as increased bulkiness would likely bring down the positives of sleeping on water.
• Foam Rails - A rectangle-shaped foam rail lies beneath the mattress cover to provide the waterbed its edge support, shape and compartment for housing the water bladder. Strong foam rails are at least a couple of pounds in density and must be thinner at the top and wider on the bottom. This design helps maximize sleeping surface while maintaining durability.
• Bladder - These waterbeds either come with mid-fill or shallow-fill bladders. Generally, mid-fill bladders are recommended because they provide additional sleeping benefits.
• Safety Liner - The liner exists to stop water leakage and not let the mattress deflate until the repair work is done.
• Foundation - A sturdy foundation is essential for any softside waterbed to bear water weight. Generally, center beam-equipped wooden foundations are recommended.
Maintenance or Assembly
As these waterbeds come empty, assembly is needed. Modern makers have eased the assembly process, offering bladders in regular hose-size nozzles. But, ensure the assembly instructions are part of the mattress package before making a purchase.
Maintenance is slightly more difficult than assembly, but its necessity is quite infrequent. Conditioner should be added to the bladder water once every year to mitigate bacteria and algae growth. Vinyl care is recommended as well for keeping things supple and smooth, to prevent leaks and cracking. The safety liner won't let the water to exit the mattress, providing you adequate time for mending vinyl. Vinyl repair is straightforward and once done, the bladder should last for several years.
Lifespan
On an average, a quality soft waterbed should come good for at least a decade. Softside beds have a longer lifespan than hardside beds. Fortunately, bladders aren't too expensive and could be replaced easily. Once replaced, the softside waterbed could be used for several years together. Good maintenance and care could extend the bladder's lifespan too. In its original state, vinyl is hard plastic, and not flexible and soft like a fresh mattress. Softside waterbeds have a comparatively longer lifespan due to the bladder lying below several layers of material. Body oils and dirt augment the vinyl hardening activity and with hardside waterbeds, you are sleeping on the bladder directly.
