The Best Way To Drain Any Waterbed

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

There is a wide range of methods to drain a waterbed fast and efficiently. Some drain methods are faster than others. Cheap or low-quality drain kits are notorious for leaving people with a mattress that is not fully drained. As an installer of waterbeds for our 32-year-old family business, I can assure you that beds that aren’t empty can be extremely heavy, which leaves you in a predicament where the mattress is far too heavy to handle. In the worst cases, people have punctured and even destroyed their old water bladders.

Related Links

• Storing a Waterbed Mattress
• Methods Of Draining, Moving, And Refilling Or Storing Your Waterbed
• Draining a Waterbed With An Electric Pump
• Waterbed Pump & Maintenance Kit
• Waterbed Draining and Moving: What you Really Need to Know.

Another issue we encounter is the shifting and bunching of fiber on baffled inserts. These kinds of issues affect comfort and support, and unfortunately, make the waterbed feel different from the way it did before.  So, what can you do to prevent ruining your water mattress?

TL;DR: The Best Way To Drain Any Waterbed

Draining a waterbed properly requires more than just a basic pump. Using an electric-powered water transfer pump along with the right accessories—like a siphon, air extractor, and quality hoses—ensures a quick, mess-free, and complete water removal process. The “Drain Hero” kit simplifies the process by bundling all necessary tools. Electric pumps work fastest, especially for large beds like California Kings, while Venturi siphon pumps and gravity methods can serve as alternatives.

Get The Right Tools For The Job

There is no better tool than an electric-powered drain pump.  While it is true that they can be purchased in hardware and big-box stores, they usually do not have all the necessary parts and pieces to completely drain the water from the bladder. Below, we have listed a few popular brands of Electric Power Water Transfer Removal Pumps. Each can move approximately 5.7 GPM (Gallons per minute) using a (3/4”) hose.

That equates to a movement of 330 GPH (Gallons Per Hour). Check your brand for specifics. The biggest waterbed is a California King, which holds 200-220 gallons of water. It’s really easy to see why extracting the water with a pump is so much quicker and efficient. Popular brand names of pumps include Drummond, Wayne PC2, Costway, Ironton, Trupow, Countyline, Star Water Systems, UtiliTech, and Grainger. Unfortunately, the pump by itself will not drain a free-flow or fiber-filled mattress to a point where it is lightweight and empty. You need other items to get the job done right.

Other Items Needed For Both Draining & Filling Include:

1. Venturi Siphon Pump- Perfect for filling and draining waterbeds completely.
2. 8 oz. Multi-Purpose Conditioner-Works for free-flow and fiber-filled mattresses.
3. Air Extractor: Easier than rolling or using the padded rails and doesn’t make a mess.
4. High Quality Electric Waterbed Pump: High Capacity, is the fastest way to drain a waterbed flat.
5. 8 oz. Vinyl Cleaner: A must-have to keep vinyl soft and pliable.
6. 3 ft. Connection Hose: Connects the water mattress to the pump and includes O O-ring washer for the female fitting.
7. 25 ft. Connection Hose: A dedicated hose to use for your waterbed only. Don’t risk ruining your expensive water mattress with a dirty hose full of bacteria that could make your mattress sour and smell.
8. Metal Faucet Adaptor: Unlike plastic faucet connectors, metal adaptors don’t easily cross-thread and strip. Reusable again and again. Makes a tighter secure connection that won’t blow out like cheaper plastic versions.
9. Perfect Union/Mattress Adapter: Connects 25 ft. Connect the Hose to your mattress for filling or connect to a 3 ft. Connection Hose for draining. Includes O-ring washer with female fitting.
10. Valve Shut-off Switch: Get better control over your fill level with an on off valve.

These items combined can cost $230.00 when bought separately. (Prices were averaged across the Internet for sampling)

Drain Hero, There Is More To It Than Just Buying A Pump

A complete kit made specifically for filling, maintaining, and draining your bed is available to save the day. It is referred to as the Drain Hero, made specifically as a hassle-free method of beginning to end care for any kind of waterbed, including hardsides and softsides.

Key Takeaways: The Best Way To Drain Any Waterbed

• Electric-powered waterbed pumps are the fastest and most efficient way to drain a waterbed—some draining up to 330 GPH.
• The Drain Hero kit includes all essential parts like hoses, vinyl cleaner, valve shut-off, and adaptors—helping prevent damage or incomplete draining.
• Baffled or fiber-filled mattresses retain water and are harder to drain fully without extra tools like air extractors or shop vacs.
• Venturi siphon pumps can still be effective when used correctly (with proper water pressure and seals).
• Draining times range from 20 to 50 minutes depending on bed size and pump strength.
• Gravity siphoning and wet/dry vacs can be used as backup methods but are more labor-intensive and messier.

How Long Does It Take To Drain A Waterbed Using An Electric Pump?

The quickest way to empty a waterbed is with an electric pump. The job of a King-size hardside water bed when filled to the correct level usually takes about 50 minutes, and queens run in the 40 to 45-minute range. King softsides take about 30 minutes and queen softsides 20 to 25 minutes. Times can vary slightly based on the pump and the number of gallons it can pump in a minute, along with things like hose diameter

Alternative Ways To Drain A Waterbed

1. Venturi Siphon Pump: One of the oldest ways to drain a waterbed is the Venturi Pump. This system often gets a bad rap for not working correctly. The truth is that most of the time, they fail to work correctly because of operator error. Improper connections, one or all the O-ring hose washers missing, low or poor water pressure are all reasons why the Venturi Siphon Pump may fail to work. However, this little item can come in handy for not only filling but also final draining when an electric pump can’t get the job done or if there is no electricity.
2. Gravity Siphoning: A terrific way to take water out of a softside or hardside waterbed. The issue we often see is the lack of knowledge on the part of the customer regarding removing the remaining water from the mattress that is filled with fiber and foam. This material retains the water and makes it very difficult, if not impossible, to handle.
3. Wet Dry Shop Vacs can finish off problems mentioned in B. or A. It does require a lot of back and forth and lifting and dumping, which typically is quite messy.

FAQ: The Best Way To Drain Any Waterbed

Q: Can I drain a waterbed without electricity?
A: Yes, using a Venturi siphon pump or gravity siphoning method. However, they are slower and require more effort.

Q: What happens if I don’t fully drain the mattress?
A: It becomes extremely heavy and hard to move. Worse, you risk tearing or puncturing the bladder.

Q: Do I need all the accessories mentioned?
A: Yes, especially for baffled/fiber mattresses. Each item—like air extractors and shut-off valves—makes the process smoother and safer.

Q: How long will it take to drain my King-size waterbed?
A: With an electric pump, around 50 minutes. Queen-size beds take 20–45 minutes depending on type.

Q: Can I reuse regular hoses and adaptors?
A: It’s best to use dedicated hoses to avoid bacteria and odors from contaminating the mattress.

Q: Is the Drain Hero worth the investment?
A: Yes. When bought separately, tools can total over $230. The Drain Hero simplifies the process and reduces the chance of mistakes.