Waterbed Setup & Care

New to waterbeds, or getting back into one? Here's the short version — and we walk every customer through it.

Softside vs. hardside

• Softside beds look and sit like a regular bed (foam rails, no exposed frame) and set up much like a standard mattress.
• Hardside beds are the classic deep-fill feel in a wood frame; the mattress fills inside the frame.

Heater & conditioner — you need both

• A heater keeps the water at a comfortable, steady temperature.
• Conditioner protects the vinyl and keeps the water clear — add it on the schedule on the bottle. A safety liner goes under hardside mattresses. Shop matched parts in Waterbed Care & Parts.

Filling & draining

We include setup guidance and can talk you through fill, heat, and conditioning. Use the fill-and-drain kit and a standard faucet adaptor.

Stuck? Call (877) 474-9196 — we do this every week. See also our Learn guides.