Magic Water Beads Tips

Water beads are not only beautiful and fun but with a little bit of care will be reusable for years to come. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your water beads.

Hydrating

Soak each 5 gram packet of water beads in 1 quart of water for 8-10 hours.

Once they are hydrated drain off excess water and they are ready to use.

Each 5 gram packet will produce 3 to 4 cups of hydrated water beads.

As an option you can add 2 drops of bleach to the water when you hydrate.

This will make your cut flowers last longer and eliminate the chance of mold.(not common but it can happen)

Add 2 drops of bleach to water, soak for 3-4 hours then drain and continue soaking with fresh water.

More than 2 drops will kill your flowers!!!

Maintainence

From time to time you will need to "feed" your water beads.

You will know they are "hungry" because they will start to shrink.

Add a little water and they will puff right back up.

If for any reason your water beads need to be cleaned or freshened up just rinse them off in a strainer then return them to their container.

If you want to put your water beads away for a while they can be dehydrated and stored for later use.

Lay water beads in a single layer on waxed paper and

in a few days they will return to their original

dehydrated state.

Store in a zip bag and protect them from moisture.

When ready to use again re-hydrate.

Making Air Fresheners

Add a small amount of water soluble fragrance oil to one 5 gram packet of water beads.

Add just enough water to cover beads and allow all the liquid to be completely absorbed.

Add 2 cups of water and continue to hydrate.

The idea is to make sure the water beads absorb all the scent before adding additional water.

Did you know???

The science behind water beads was created in the 1960's by the USDA as a method of soil water conservation.

The term for the material used in water beads is super absorbent polymer (SAP) and came to be known in industry as super slurper.

In the early 1970's SAPs were used commercially for the first time in feminine sanitary and adult incontinence products.

In the 1980's Proctor & Gamble and Kimberly-Clark began to use the material in disposable baby diapers.

Some other common uses for SAPs are

Fire retardant gel

Toys that grow in water

Hot & cold therapy packs

Motionless water beds

Artificial snow in tv and movies Gel ice packs

Cooling apparel (hats, bandanas, vests. etc.)