Frequently asked questions
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about our waterbeds.
If your question is not listed, you can of course also contact us directly by e-mail, telephone or contact form
If your question is not listed, you can of course also contact us directly by e-mail, telephone or contact form
General questions
Hardside waterbeds feature a wooden frame instead of the more common foam frame, in which the water chambers are held. When getting out of bed, you often feel the hard edge pressing into the backs of your knees, which can be uncomfortable. As a result, hardside waterbeds are now rarely offered.
In a softside waterbed, the water chamber is surrounded by a soft yet stable foam frame that keeps the bed in shape. This frame is typically wedge-shaped — narrower at the top than at the bottom — so that as much usable water surface as possible is preserved. On our bellvita waterbeds, the top edge is only about 5–6 cm wide, making it especially slim while still extremely shape-retaining. Narrower foam frames often lose their stability quickly and bulge out after a short time if they are not specially reinforced.
You lie relaxed without excessive pressure, fall asleep more quickly and experience longer deep sleep phases because you don't have to turn over as often. The cosy, warm waterbed mattress adapts perfectly to your body. With a DUAL system, you can choose different soothing levels for both mattresses (rebound time of the water). One person likes it more soothed, the other possibly less soothed. The cosy warmth can be regulated independently of each other between approx. 26°C - 36°C using two heating systems. The top covers for our bellvita waterbeds are usually equipped with a special Medicott finish, which prevents house dust mites from settling on the cover fabric. In general, you can wash the covers at 60°C or even up to 90°C and they are usually even suitable for the gentle cycle in the tumble dryer. A waterbed is therefore much more hygienic than a conventional mattress, even if something should go wrong at breakfast in the waterbed... simply wipe the water core, clean the cover in the washing machine and everything is clean again, a great advantage, especially with our bellvita bellvita baby waterbed or the waterbed for children!
Boiling water should not be poured into the water core. It is best to use slightly tempered lukewarm tap water in a clean container to top up the water if there is not enough water in the mattress. warm water is always filled in during assembly so that you can use the waterbed from the very first night. If we were to use cold water, it may take approx. 1 week for the heaters to bring the water to a comfortable sleeping temperature.
If you suspect a defect in your waterbed, first try to locate the source of the issue. If only a small amount of water is present in the safety liner, you can dry it with towels and then check to see if and where water is leaking again. A bit of moisture doesn’t necessarily indicate a leak — it could simply be condensation, which may occur due to different temperature settings. Also check whether the cap at the foot of the bed has been properly closed or if any water may have spilled during the last venting process. Thanks to the integrated safety liner, even in the event of a defect, water won’t spill onto the floor. The liner is designed to hold the full volume of both mattresses. In any case, our hotline is available to assist you at any time, especially in emergencies: +41 (0) 61 6 83 09 77.
Important note: Sharp objects should be kept away from the waterbed. Before cleaning, make sure to remove rings with pointed stones and only use clean cloths.
With regular care, a waterbed far exceeds the lifespan of a conventional mattress. A waterbed does not sag and retains its shape for years, but can also be repeatedly adjusted to personal comfort by changing the amount of water. Many customers have had their waterbed at home for over 20 years. It is important to clean the vinyl with the appropriate cleaner at regular intervals of 3 - 4 months. This removes skin flakes, body salts from sweating and other impurities that can damage and corrode the vinyl in the long term. Heaters and covers can be replaced over the years if necessary.
Waterbeds are suitable for every age group. We even have water mattresses for babies and (small) children in 70x140cm or 90x200cm and 100x200cm. Women who are pregnant find it much more comfortable to sleep in a waterbed because it does not cause any counter-pressure and can adapt completely to the body. Due to the increasing weight during pregnancy, the lying comfort can be constantly adjusted up to the 9th month by regulating the amount of water. Older people also feel comfortable in a waterbed. Depending on mobility, we recommend a higher reassurance level from 90% (4 fleeces) upwards so that getting up and turning over in bed is easier. We also offer comfort heights of approx. 55 cm or 65 cm, which make it easier to get into bed.
Pets are generally not a problem and have not yet caused any serious damage. Make sure, for example, that your cat does not jump onto the bare water core when you remove the topper and damage the vinyl with its milky feet. However, if the waterbed is closed and covered with a fitted sheet, it is already well protected. We also recommend the use of a topliner. This not only protects against soiling but also against claws, making it easier for you to care for the waterbed.
A water core can bear a load of up to 2 tonnes and is therefore extremely stable. Even heavier people do not need to worry about whether a waterbed will support them. A body weight of 150kg or more is no problem for the mattress. However, the 98% firmness level should be selected to prevent the mattress from sinking in too much.
Additional insurance is generally not necessary. Many household contents insurance policies already include this or you simply have to register it without having to pay additional premiums. However, it does not hurt to ask if in doubt.
Installation in an existing bed frame is generally unproblematic, as our waterbeds are supplied with an appropriate base. This base is simply placed in your bed frame instead of the slatted frame. It is important that the bed frame can remain free-standing on its own, i.e. without struts for the slatted frame that is normally inside it. All struts or slatted frame supports must therefore not be firmly attached to the bed frame. However, this is the case with almost all bed frames, as these struts are usually only screwed in place. The total height of the bed with a normal substructure (25cm) is 45cm. This means that the top edge of the frame should end at approx. 35-38cm measured from the floor. This allows the mattress to protrude sufficiently and makes it easier to cover with a sheet. If the top edge of the frame is higher, you can also adjust the base accordingly.
The waterbed weighs approx. 700 kg in 200×220 cm when filled. This weight is distributed over approx. 4 m². This gives you a blanket load of approx. 150 - 170 kg/m² plus your own weight. This should normally be the load-bearing capacity of any ceiling, by comparison: Newer houses built after 1960 generally have to have a load-bearing capacity of at least 400 kg/m². If several people are sitting at a dining table, the point load is usually much higher. Even a well-stocked wardrobe can exceed this by far under certain circumstances, and to be on the safe side you can of course ask a structural engineer to determine your ceiling load-bearing capacity.
Even after the initial filling, you will most likely need to adjust the water level in your waterbed according to your personal preferences. The fleece layers inside the water chamber only become fully saturated after a few weeks. This initial “water loss” should be compensated for after about 2 weeks by adding approximately 2–5 liters of water (don’t forget to vent the bed afterwards!). If your comfort level changes over time, this is usually also due to the water level. Gaining or losing weight can affect how you sleep, since the original water level may no longer match your body weight. However, this is not a disadvantage — rather, it’s a unique advantage that conventional mattresses can’t offer: perfect, individualized adjustment to your needs.
Water will also evaporate from a waterbed over time. The amount depends on the set temperature. Usually, only a small amount evaporates each year, and this is compensated by regularly adding conditioner. In some cases, evaporation can reach up to 10 liters per year. Please note: only add water in increments of no more than 5 liters, and be sure to vent the bed afterward. If that’s not enough, simply repeat the process as needed.
Our tip: If the water level is too low, you’ll feel like you’re “sagging” into the bed. If it’s too high, you’ll feel like you’re lying on a mound — both conditions reduce sleep comfort. Your body should sink evenly into the waterbed. Important: never pull the entire fill nozzle straight up by the screw cap! First, twist the cap open, remove the safety insert, then insert your finger into the nozzle and pull it up slowly and evenly. Also, make sure to remove jewelry and do not place objects on the vinyl surface that could cause damage.
Size, reassurance, system
Our waterbeds are fitted with fleece inserts for stabilisation. The more fleece inlays, the higher the degree of soothing and the less the waterbed vibrates. If you have the opportunity to try out different calming levels, you should test them all at your leisure before deciding on a level. Newcomers to waterbeds often feel most comfortable on the highest firmness level when trying it out for the first time, as this comes closest to the feeling on a conventional mattress. However, take your time and try out (much) softer levels. You will soon realise that a softer waterbed with a lower firmness level adapts better and reduces the contact pressure. The 90% firmness level with 4 nonwovens or 70% firmness level with 3 nonwovens is therefore the most common choice. For people with a body weight of 90kg or more, we also recommend a 90% firmness level. People with severely damaged backs (e.g. as a result of disc surgery), senior citizens with limited freedom of movement and very overweight people should opt for 95% or even 98% reassurance. Even if the water core in these levels is almost completely filled with nonwovens, the pressure relief and sleeping comfort is significantly higher than with any conventional mattress.
A mono system means a water core and therefore an undivided large waterbed surface with heating. This system is recommended if you sleep exclusively or mostly alone in the waterbed. A dual system means two water cores with two heaters. If you sleep on a bellvita waterbed with your partner or often as a couple, a dual system is the right choice. Both water cores can be customised to the needs of the individual sleeper. The amount of water can be filled according to size and weight and the cosy warmth can also be regulated separately for both sides. Thanks to the barely perceptible thermal partition wall, you can also lie in the centre without any problems - and without any annoying visitor crevices.
By adding and removing water, the waterbed can be made subjectively firmer and softer, but the soothing level cannot be changed. To do this, the entire water core would have to be replaced. In addition, the amount of water can only be varied to a limited extent, as the amount of water must be adjusted precisely to your height and weight so that your body sinks straight and evenly into the waterbed. If there is too much water, you lie on a mound of water, if there is too little water, you lie in a depression. Both have a negative effect on sleeping comfort.
When purchasing a softside waterbed, keep in mind that the selected bed size usually does not correspond 1:1 to the actual water surface — it’s slightly smaller. For our bellvita waterbeds, the foam frame measures approximately 5–6 cm all around, reducing the usable lying surface by about 10–12 cm in both length and width. For example, a waterbed measuring 200×200 cm has an actual water surface of approximately 190×190 cm. If your height is 180 cm or taller, you should consider whether a total bed length of 200 cm is sufficient or whether a 220 cm model would be more appropriate. Of course, this also depends on how much space is available in your bedroom.
The following sizes are available as part of bellvita’s standard range:
- 140×200 cm
- 160×200 cm
- 180×200 cm
- 180×220 cm
- 200×200 cm
- 200×220 cm
Custom sizes available upon request.
Waterbed accessories
Only use special fitted sheets that are suitable for waterbeds. Please do not try to clamp the sheet under the foam frame as you would with a normal mattress, as this is usually screwed to the base plates to ensure stability. Fitted sheets for waterbeds are very elastic due to a high elastane content of three to five per cent and ensure a good fit with their approx. 40 cm high web. This allows you to pull the fitted sheet comfortably around the entire waterbed core. If you have a bed surround, simply clamp the fitted sheet between it and the water mattress.
The topliner, also known as the cupliner, is an additional protective cover and is located under the waterbed topper. It makes cleaning the waterbed considerably easier, as dirt such as skin flakes and body salts can hardly accumulate on the vinyl. The vinyl of the waterbed thus remains clean and attractive for many years, making the recommended cleaning intervals child's play. The parachute silk topliner is also machine washable at 40°C.
Every waterbed owner knows the problem. Conventional fitted sheets, such as those made of terry cloth, "flit" away when you move around in bed because the edge is not high enough. The others, where the edge is higher, are not elasticated enough and therefore do not fit properly. After having various manufacturers of special fitted sheets for waterbeds as accessories in our programme, we have now decided to develop our own bellvita collection in cooperation with a major manufacturer of fitted sheets. The bellvita fitted sheets are very elastic due to a high elastane content of three to five per cent and are therefore especially suitable for waterbeds. Furthermore, with their approx. 40 cm high web, they offer a good fit.
An air partition wall is a thermal partition wall in an improved form with integrated air chambers. These are filled with air and the partition wall is then placed between the two water cores in the dual system. As a result, the air partition pushes the two water cores further apart and minimises the transmission of vibrations caused, for example, by the partner turning over on one side of the waterbed.An air partition can be easily retrofitted and, unlike a solid foam partition, offers the same advantage as the thermal partition: you do not feel it when you are lying in the middle of the waterbed.
Waterbed heating systems
The heating systems supplied with a bellvita waterbed are the latest generation of carbon or ceramic heaters and therefore the best the waterbed market has to offer! These heating systems regulate the temperature themselves via a temperature sensor and do not require a timer or manual switching on and off. The heaters are very well insulated and therefore have no unnecessary energy loss to the floor. Thanks to the constant and low heat supply, the water centre always remains at the set desired temperature. If you want to turn the heating up or down, this usually takes a few hours, as the heat loss is only approx. 1 degree per day, for example. Even a power failure that only lasts a few minutes does not have a negative effect on the waterbed. In your own interest, a waterbed should always be heated to at least 25°-26°C. Anything else is simply too cold for your back and also for the vinyl of the waterbed.
Everyone can set the temperature according to their own comfort level. 28°C roughly corresponds to the skin temperature and is marked with an orange dot on the control unit of the Sigma K ceramic heater, for example. The minimum temperature is 25°C, which is pleasantly cool, especially in summer, despite the heating system.
Electricity consumption always depends on the heating system used, the thickness of the cover, the set temperature and, of course, the local tariff. On average, a waterbed heater (ceramic and carbon heating) consumes approx. 40 - 50€ per year. Constantly open windows in winter and uncovered beds allow heat to escape more quickly, which can increase heating costs.
A power failure that only lasts a few minutes or hours may not even be noticeable in the temperature of the water centre. The heat loss when the heating is switched off is approx. 1°C per day, so this can be quickly counteracted when the power is switched back on. In the case of digital appliances, the settings made should be checked again, although these are generally not lost in the event of a power failure.
Waterbed care
How do I care for my bellvita waterbed properly? The conditioner must be regularly filled into the waterbed once a year for water treatment so that the water in the core always remains fresh. It also cares for the vinyl of the waterbed from the inside and prevents bacteria from forming. The vinyl cleaner removes dust, sweat and dander residues as well as other impurities. These residues must be removed from the vinyl of the waterbed every 2 - 3 months, otherwise it will dry out and become porous. Please read the information on the bottle before use and only use the conditioner and vinyl cleaner recommended by bellvita. We recommend using a topliner to extend the time between cleaning intervals. This significantly reduces deposits on the vinyl
In the first few days after installation, the waterbed must be deflated almost daily, as the soothing fleece incorporated into the waterbed must first be filled with water, and some people who have been sleeping in a waterbed for many years even find it soothing when it bubbles from time to time - but this is a familiarisation process. However, too much air in the waterbed can change the sleeping position, which can lead to discomfort despite the perfect amount of water filling. Air must be vented after every filling or refilling process - even with the smallest amounts of water! The venting intervals will decrease over time. Nevertheless, you will always have to bleed the waterbed regularly, even years later. our tip: Pull the bleeder pump or the bleeder valve slightly upwards. However, hold the plug firmly! The air always collects at the top point and therefore escapes more quickly. Deflate by slowly rolling over the water core from back to front or by slowly pushing the air forwards with your knees while sitting. Avoid jerky movements, otherwise the air will move backwards again. Most of the air is in the corners of the waterbed.
The sterilising water treatment is not a conditioner! This is required for the treatment of bacterially infested waterbed mattresses. For example, if you have forgotten to fill the conditioner regularly. If the water already smells bad, a stronger product with an odour neutraliser is recommended, such as the so-called "Stinker Ade".
The "Stinker Ade" is a strong disinfectant to combat bacterial-infested water in the waterbed, which is already spreading a bad odour. This product is needed, for example, if you have forgotten to fill in the conditioner for water treatment and the water has now tipped over. The light lavender scent in "Stinker Ade" disinfects and masks the bad odour after a short time. Conditioner should always be added again two weeks after treatment with this product. We would also be happy to advise you personally if this is the case for you.
Our covers are divided in the middle with a zip from a bed width of 160 cm, so that you can easily get the individual sides into your washing machine. The double-sheet Medicott cover as well as the Tencel cover and the Lyocell cover can be washed at up to 90°C. However, we recommend 60°C, as the lower temperatures are gentle on the fibres. Important: Please only wash all covers in a closed laundry bag or in a pillowcase. If the covers are placed in the washing machine without additional protection, the zip may get caught in the drum and tear out during the spin cycle or even scorch due to the heat.
You can put all our waterbed covers in the tumble dryer. However, care should be taken to ensure that the temperature is not too high. Depending on the thickness of the cover, the tumble dryer may have to be run twice until the cover is completely dry. important: Please only dry all covers in a closed laundry bag or in a pillowcase. If the covers are placed in the dryer without additional protection, the zip may get caught in the drum and tear out or even scorch due to the heat.
Delivery and assembly / relocation
The duration of assembly depends on the bed frame selected, the location (e.g. 5th floor without lift) and the water pressure on your pipes. A standard waterbed with a substructure base can be assembled in approx. 1 - 2 hours, a waterbed with a frame, headboard or drawers can take approx. 1 - 2 hours longer.
To maintain the guarantee, your waterbed may only be moved by qualified specialists. Unprofessional removal may invalidate the guarantee. We will be happy to help you move your waterbed at any time after your purchase and send you a customised offer. Simply send us an e-mail with your current and new address and the date by which the waterbed must be moved. Please allow a lead time of approx. 3 - 4 weeks.
As you can customise your new bellvita waterbed, the delivery time depends on your wishes and the place of delivery.