How to dispose of a waterbed begins with getting the water out, since a filled king waterbed can hold around 200 gallons and weigh well over 1,500 pounds. Once it is drained, the vinyl mattress folds into a manageable bundle, the heater goes with small electronics, and the wood frame comes apart like any other bed. None of it is especially hard, but it does take a few hours.
Draining the mattress
- Unplug the heater and let the mattress cool.
- Attach a drain kit or hose to the fill valve. Many kits use a faucet adapter to start a siphon.
- Run the hose to a floor drain, tub, or outside to a spot where the water will not flood a basement or neighbor.
- Push out the last water by rolling the mattress from the far end toward the valve, or use a small pump.
Waterbed water usually has a conditioner added to prevent algae. Small amounts going down a household drain are generally fine; do not drain it into a storm drain or creek.
Folding or cutting the vinyl
Once empty, fold the vinyl toward the valve to squeeze out air and remaining water. Many cities accept it in regular trash once folded into a tied bundle. Cutting it into sections makes bags lighter. Waveless mattresses may have fiber baffles inside that hold water, so let them drip for a day.
Heater and controls
The heater pad and thermostat are electrical. Some areas accept them in regular trash; others want them in an electronics or small appliance drop-off. See how to dispose of small appliances.
The frame
Hardside waterbeds have a heavy wood frame, a deck, and a safety liner. Take out the liner, unscrew the side rails, and remove the deck boards. Solid wood can sometimes be resold for lumber; particleboard decks go to bulky waste. Softside waterbeds use a foam-walled mattress on a box-spring-style base, which goes with mattresses.
Getting rid of the pieces
- Curbside: folded vinyl and small frame parts, if your city allows.
- Bulky pickup: large frame pieces and softside bases.
- Transfer station or landfill: everything at once, priced as furniture or by weight.
How to dispose of a waterbed FAQ
How long does it take to drain a waterbed?
Often a few hours with a siphon, faster with a pump. Plan for the last water to take the longest.
Where should I drain waterbed water?
Into a tub, floor drain, or sanitary sewer. Do not drain it into a storm drain or waterway.
Can a waterbed mattress go in the trash?
In many places, yes, once drained and folded. Check your city’s rules.
What do I do with the waterbed heater?
Take it to an electronics or small appliance drop-off if your area does not accept it in the trash.
Can a waterbed frame be reused?
Solid wood frames sometimes sell for lumber or projects. Particleboard parts go to bulky waste.
The bottom line
How to dispose of a waterbed: unplug and drain the mattress completely, fold or cut the vinyl, send the heater to small appliance or electronics disposal, and take apart the frame for bulky pickup or a trip to a transfer station. Use the map to find a nearby site that takes furniture.
Hauling it yourself? If the load won’t fit in the truck bed, a 6×10 ft open-rail utility trailer or a 4×8 ft folding trailer (it folds upright to store in a garage) can cost less than a couple of hauler trips. Tie everything down with ratchet tie-down straps; many sites charge extra for loose or uncovered loads.
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