Knowing that the chemicals that the mattress industry will use are known toxicants, the CPSC performed an in-depth risk assessment of these chemicals and their affect on humans. In this assessment they prove that people will absorb these chemicals into their bodies. Additionally they admit that the potential health risks are not completely known but regardless of the uncertainties, they claim that people will not be harmed from sleeping on these new flameproof mattresses. However, the Center for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency dispute some of the conclusions in the CPSC risk assessment.

There are several things striking about this whole issue. When consumers are presented this information, thus far 100% of people would prefer to have a mattress without the chemicals and to assume the minute risk (1 in 3 million to 1 in 14 million) of dying of a mattress fire. So why did the CPSC force on consumers something they would prefer to do without after they learn the facts?

In order for mattress manufacturers to meet the new standards, each mattress specimen must be submitted to a burn test at a designated testing facility. During this test, two propane burner flames are put to the mattress. These propane flames are purported to mimic burning bedclothes. What good is a flameproof mattress if the sheets and blankets still burn?

If the CPSC is looking out for consumer interests, why didn’t they require mattress manufacturers to disclose what chemicals they use so the consumer could make a more informed decision? Furthermore, why didn’t they give consumers the choice between flameproof mattresses and non-flameproof mattresses? These questions ought to cause consumers to look closer at just who the CPSC is really protecting.

Two facts may hint at what really drove the move to instill 16 CFR 1633. One is the fact that there is a lobbying group called the Fire Retardant Chemicals Association. Is it possible that the new regulation benefits FR chemical producers? Obviously! A second fact is that there is another lobby group called the International Sleep Products Association that represents mostly large domestic mattress manufacturers. As it turns out, ISPA supported the new FR regulations. Could large domestic manufacturers benefit from such insane regulations? If these new regulations put a financial burden on imports and small mattress manufacturers that they cannot absorb and it causes them to close their doors, then the answer is also obvious. A case-in-point is the store chain W.S. Badcock. Quoting a 5/16/2007 Furniture Today article, “Top 100 store chain W.S. Badcock said today it will close its bedding factory rather than make a ‘major expansion’ that would be required to meet new federal flammability regulations.”

Another case-in-point is an article published by newsreview.com on 06/07/07. Quoted in this article, “There are currently only 600 mattress manufacturers in the United States, and the new safety codes could eliminate a third of them.” This is serious evidence that 16 CFR 1633 was designed to benefit large domestic mattress manufacturers.

The good news is there is the option to buy a FR chemical-free mattress but there are few suppliers and it is going to require consumers to do a lot of homework to find them. It is also going to require consumers to get a prescription from their doctor or chiropractor in order to purchase a mattress without FR chemicals. But it will be worth the effort in order to protect your health. And if you have purchased a mattress made by one of the big-name manufacturers after July 1, 2007, you should seriously consider consuming lots of green tea and other strong antioxidants. Your long-term health may depend upon it.

The design dimensions of newer soft sided waterbeds are roughly the same as standard bed sizes. Soft sided waterbeds also referred to as hybrids, do not require a wooden frame. These types of waterbeds are designed to be the same size as standard beds so conventional bedding can be used. If you do need sheets for a soft sided waterbed, make sure the sheets have deep corner pockets.

Faced with the special sizes needed for a hard sided waterbed, finding a convenient local retail source can be next to impossible. The answer is to shop online where a wide variety of style, color and fabric options can be found at reasonable prices.

The original designs for waterbed sheets were a big departure from the standard bottom and top sheet design most of us were used to. Waterbed sheets featured a deep pocket bottom sheet with a top sheet sewn to the foot of the bottom sheet. The reason for this was to help keep the top sheet in place since it was difficult to tuck the top sheet under the mattress. This design makes for a very long sheet which is hard to fold and store properly.

In the early days of waterbeds, some folks were so unfamiliar with the concept of two sheets being sewn together they would sometimes return the sheets as defective.

For taller sleepers, having enough foot room can be an issue. The area where the top sheet and the bottom sheet are sewn together can be a little cramped. Many newer designs for waterbed sheets have addressed the problem of foot room by adding a deeper pocket where the top sheet joins the bottom sheet.

As with traditional bedding, quality can vary widely when it comes to waterbed sheets. The type of fabric material, thread count, sizing and stitching are important considerations when selecting a set of waterbed sheets.

There is a misimpression among many folks that waterbed sheets are substantially more expensive than standard bedding just because they are for a waterbed. The online marketplace can offer bedding shoppers many different styles, level of comfort and quality that are very competitive with standard bedding.

Cotton is still the most popular choice when it comes to bedding material and waterbed sheets are no exception. Cotton is durable, comfortable and most of all affordable. Whether you buy sheets made from more expensive Egyptian cotton, organic cotton or domestically grown cotton from the American South, there is a cotton waterbed that is right for you.

Some folks find the feel of cotton flannel sheets very comfortable and warm, sort of like sleeping on top of flannel pajamas. As with traditional bedding, sateen, percale, satin and other similar fabrics have been popular choices since the early days of waterbeds. I personally didn’t like the feel of sliding around on the slick satin while my waterbed sloshed back and forth but many folks would disagree with me.

If you prefer the feel of mattress pad under the sheets, remember that the same rules for size apply to mattress pads for hard sided waterbeds. Like waterbed sheets, there are mattress pads widely available in the online marketplaces that are sure to fit your budget and comfort needs.