waterbeds without power

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Have a waterbed which my back doesn't want to give up come the year 2000....any cheap ideas for insulating me from a cold bag of water? Know my wool comforter does the job after having to use it when the heater died but really can't afford another.

-- Mutti (windance@train.missouri.org), September 24, 1999

Answers

I use to have a water bed and one time the heater went out and the bed was colder than cold. The only thing I had that kept the cold from me was a waffle weave blanket. I think they are labeled thermal blankets. The kind with the little holes in the weave. It really kept the cold from seeping through.

-- Carol (glear@usa.net), September 24, 1999.

Mutti, same thing here. We've got solar panels which will run the heaters but that's not cheap. You need a really thick foam pad on top of the mattress to keep the cold from seeping through (an old quilt and/or blankets will do). Those in really cold areas will have to worry about freezing. Better to leave space in the mattress than to try antifreeze--that could lead to all sorts of problems.

-- Old Git (anon@spamproblems.com), September 24, 1999.

Multi, I bought one of those new hospital-like foam mattress covers with the raised bumps. They are only $9 for a King size and really work! You can also lay out one or two of those shiny survival covers, $2.99 under the sheet you lay on. These will reflect back your body heat.

-- Fox (ardrinc@aol.com), September 24, 1999.

I've used the "bumpy hospital mattess pads" with good effect (use one now). Another thing that worked VERY well was a lambs fleece pad (but it was EXPENSIVE!).

-- Mad Monk (madmonk@hawaiian.net), September 24, 1999.

Once I had a waterbed that sprung a leak in the middle of winter. I replaced the container. That evening, the bed was colder than cold. I opened up a sleeping bag and put it over the bed. Stayed nice and warm that night. If you have a sleeping bag, give it a try.

-- (cannot-say@this.time), September 24, 1999.


I sleep on a futon style mattreess--which I like. But I love those bumpy foam pads. Somehow it adds comfort!!

-- Mara Wayne (MaraWayne@aol.com), September 25, 1999.

Ditto on the sleeping bag idea. We did the same thing after a late evening filling with cold tap water (the heater went out, had to drain the mattress to replace the heater). With a sleeping bag between you and the matress you don't really notice the cold. Two would be even better. Tried to convince the wife we should skip the heater and just put some inexpensive comforters down and be done with it (she didn't buy it...). I would expect the foam ideas would perform similarly.

e.m.

-- Eyell Makedo (make_do@hotmail.com), September 30, 1999.


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