Most people refer to Orbeez as water beads. Orbeez are a decorative addition to a home and are a useful floral arrangement design. Not only do they give a home a better ambiance, but they also help in controlling water absorption. Orbeez are safe for the environment, however, they can present a hazardous risk to children. Children can choke on them when they attempt to swallow them since they look like some of the candy available in stores.
How To Spot Orbeez
Orbeeze are naturally quite tiny when an individual acquires them for the first time; however, they enlarge when immersed in water and can reach up to the size of a marble. These beads come in many colors, and this makes it easy for children to go for them and play with them.
Are Orbeeze Safe To Dispose Of?
It is very important that you do not dispose of the Orbeeze by flushing them down the drains, because they will cause a major plumbing nightmare. The best way to dispose of them is simply to put them in the trash or to use them in the garden. Using them in the garden is a wonderful idea because they are biodegradable.
You can mix them with soil and grow plants in them. This is one of the main factors that makes them more applicable to agriculture and florists in creating memorable floral decorations.
If you are observant, you will notice that most Orbeez packages have a label stating they are 100 percent biodegradable. This conveys a message that they are safe for use, as well as for your children, and your pets to play with.
However, experts say that it would be better to let kids that are five years and older play with Orbeez than letting younger kids play with them. This is mainly due to the attractive colors that can tempt your younger child to swallow them, thinking they could be candy. Doctors advise that you should keep your child under close supervision when he or she is handling them.
If he or she swallows substantial amounts of Orbeez, seek help from a doctor to address the situation. However, these beads should be able to pass through your child’s excretory system with no problems. Choking through the digestive tract is the most threatening risk for a child who attempts to eat these beads.
How To Safely Throw Out Orbeez
When you want to dispose of the Orbeez, simply put them in a bag or a trash can and wait for the trash pickup truck to come for your trash. You could also put them in your flower pots or in your garden outside since they will help the plants retain more water and improve the overall health of the plants.
However, since Orbeez can swell up to 150 times their original size when in water, throwing them down a sink or toilet is not a good idea. When Orbeez get in contact with water, they will swell up and cause possible clogging. Learning just how much plumbing problems Orbeez can cause from experience can be painful. Therefore, you need to be careful not to flush them down any drain in your house.
However, if for some reason these beads do end up in your drains, here are a few things you can do before calling the plumber:
- Put compounds in your drainpipes to begin the process of dissolving the beads, or to diminish their water-absorbing properties. These compounds include salt, bleach, or bicarbonate of soda. Using a combination of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda will create a chemical reaction that will dissolve the Orbeez. This solution requires some patience because you have to repeat the process a few times.
- Clean your drains thoroughly. This will include overlooked places such as underneath your sink. There are push fittings that you can easily dismantle while cleaning and put them back in place when you are through. To do this, position a bucket or bowl under the S bend to catch residual water that may spill when you are removing Orbeez blockage.
If these tips will not solve your plumbing problem, seek help from a qualified plumber to unclog your pipes.
Make use of the Orbeez in your compound and not in the house. To do this, do not dispose of Orbeez down the drain again. You can incorporate them into your garden soil. Using them in your backyard garden will make your garden appear even more colorful and appealing.
Contrary to what most people believe, Orbeez do not cause stains on the carpet or clothing. They are easy to pick up off the floor and are not messy. If you accidentally spill these beads indoors, just vacuum them.