[James Gutierrez]

Waterbeds​

The first waterbeds felt totally different from the regular mattresses of their time. Back in the 1970s, when waterbeds first came onto the scene, typical mattresses were all about heavy-duty coil-spring systems and minimal padding.

Aussies had two options—firm or firmer.

Image source: Amazon

At the height of their popularity in the mid-1980s, one out of every five mattresses sold in Australia was a waterbed!

But by the 1990s, demand had taken a nosedive, and waterbeds were left with a reputation for being a bit outdated, kind of icky, and needing a lot of maintenance.

Did you ever have one of these? So, what's your take? Do you think they're better than traditional mattresses?

Image source: Reddit

 

[Quietkate]

Yes it was the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in. It moved with you your weight didn't matter and you woke up rested every morning.

 

[Bruce9996]

Yes, bought my first one about 40 years ago, and still sleep on one now. Its a soft sided, not the old wooden sided one pictured. Love them.

 

[Nana Zorak]

I fully remember that one of our water beds came to grief in the middle of the night & flooded the downstairs flat. The people down in the other flat had a very wet & rude awaking. I bought another that traveled to NZ with me & all over the South Island & I had no problem with it. didn't bring it back to Aus when I relocated back after my second divorce. I have an ordinary bed now & I still miss my lovely firm waterbed.

 

[ruvrosie]

I loved my waterbed for years, until the heater broke irrepairably and the cold made my bones ache. Now i have a standard mattress with a bamboo overlay that is very cosy to lay on under my feather doona. ;-]

 

[SEAN]

This picture shows a greatly""ÓVER FILLED' WATERBED. It should be flat and level with the frame.----I was with the people to 1st introduce the ''WATERBED'' iN Ausrtalia (PERTH WA.) i WAS MANAGING A LEATHERCRAFT SHOP IN THE C.B.D. IN THE MID 1970's TOGETHER LEATHER.' We met this american guy who told us all about the rage in WATERBEDS IN the U.S.A. We organised a shipment of mattresses and contacted a business in OSBOURNE PARK (CONSOLIDATED PINE PTY LTD) TO MAKE THE FRAMES FOR US. Within week we could hardly keep up with the orders for the product I still sleep on a waveless (3 layers of fibre baffles inside) waterbed This is my 3rd mattress since the 70's ---not bad ,hey My waterbed is temperature controlled (Warm in winter & Cool in summer) I get the best sleep ever, every night The Waterbed is not a high maintenance item Just ad algaeside conditioner once a year (approx, $10) Far cheaper than overpriced regular mattresses and a bloody good nights sleep (every night) cheers ---Sean.

 

[Michelle Sc]

never owned one, but had to sleep on one at a friend place... I got seasick and ended up sleeping on the floor... needless to say it was off my shopping list