How to Stop Orbeez from Smelling? [Cleaning Gel Balls]

Orbeez grows in water and can expand mutiple times to their original size. They need great care, and you should replace the water regularly and always soak them in fresh water to stop orbeez from smelling bad.

Sometimes children forget to replace water, and as a result, the bad smell will come, and often bad bacteria can attack them. Make sure, do not eat the smelly gel balls as they became toxic and sometime poisonous.

There are many people who found out a very bad smell in their orbeez. But no need to worry anymore because we are here to help you. The best answer to clean gel balls is to first find out the reason of smell.

Reasons of Smell in Water Beads

The reason why your water beads smell is because of bacteria growing in them, and this is called mold growth. Mold spores are naturally found in moist environments like bathrooms and kitchens, just like anything else in nature, so don’t worry if this happens to your water beads.

Orbeez can develop an unpleasant odour. This happens mainly because they are made of superabsorbent polymers that trap water. If left in stagnant water for too long or not maintained properly, bacteria and mold can grow, leading to a foul smell

When you place water beads in plants pot and forgot to change water, they will release pungent smell and also bad for plants growth.

Do water beads become stale?

Water beads can become moldy and stale if placed in a bin for a few days without water. They could become slimy if left outside. If you want to dispose of them, throw them in the dustbin.

If you treat gel balls roughly, they will crack and shrink quickly. So, you must take good care of your orbeez balls to keep them shiny and colorful.

Common Causes of Smelly Orbeez

Several factors contribute to Orbeez developing an odor. Here are some of the main culprits:

• Dirty Water: When Orbeez are soaked in water that is not regularly changed, bacteria and mold can grow, causing unpleasant smells.
• Food or Organic Debris: If Orbeez are used in environments with food particles or outdoor areas, they can absorb these materials, leading to faster decomposition and odor.
• Lack of Air Circulation: Storing Orbeez in closed containers without proper ventilation can create a humid environment, perfect for bacterial growth.
• Prolonged Use: If Orbeez are left out for too long without being refreshed, they can start breaking down, contributing to the smell.

Preventing Orbeez from Developing Odor

Prevention is key to keeping Orbeez smelling fresh. Here are some tips to avoid unpleasant odors:

• Use Clean Water: Always use filtered or clean tap water to hydrate Orbeez. Avoid using dirty or stagnant water.
• Regular Water Changes: If you plan to keep your Orbeez hydrated for an extended period, change the water every few days to prevent bacterial growth.
• Add a Mild Antibacterial Solution: A few drops of natural antibacterial agents like tea tree oil, or even a tiny splash of vinegar, can help slow down bacteria and mold growth.
• Store in a Well-Ventilated Area: Ensure Orbeez are stored in a container with small air holes to allow for air circulation and reduce the risk of moisture buildup.

Cleaning Gel Balls

If you’ve noticed your Orbeez starting to smell, a thorough cleaning can help:

• Rinse with Clean Water: Place the Orbeez in a strainer and rinse them thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt, debris, or bacteria.
• Soak in a Vinegar Solution: For a deep clean, soak the Orbeez in a mixture of one part vinegar and three parts water for about 10-15 minutes. This will help eliminate odors and kill bacteria.
• Dry Them Properly: If you want to store Orbeez for an extended period, make sure to dry them out completely. Spread them out on a clean towel and allow them to air dry in a well-ventilated area before packing them away.

Gel balls cleaning is very important to keep them healthy, shiny and growing. It also help them to grow rapidly and their lifespan also increases. The basic method of cleaning is just washing the gel balls with fresh water.

How can bleach help to get rid of molds?

Bleach: Sodium hypochlorite is the bleach active’s ingredient that eliminates the mold and smells from orbeez.

Toothbrush: If you find that only a small area of orbeez is affected by mold, then you can use a toothbrush to clean that part.

How can Orbeez be sterilized?

The gel beads can be cleaned and reused by drying them in the sun for few time to make them shrink and dehydrate their dirty water or, in the winter, by placing them before a dehumidifier.

What are the best storage place for orbeez, so they don’t smell?

Children need to place the orbeez balls in the right place after playing with them. First, dry them by putting them in the sunlight and then place them in an airtight container or in special bottles with lids.

But make sure that they do not come in contact with environment that is not suitable for them. Please store them properly to ensure their long lifespan.

Natural Solutions to Keep Orbeez Fresh

You can use natural methods to keep your Orbeez smelling fresh for longer:

• Tea Tree Oil: A natural antibacterial agent, adding a few drops of tea tree oil to the water can help prevent bacteria and mold growth.
• Lemon Juice: Known for its fresh scent and mild antiseptic properties, lemon juice can be added to the water to keep Orbeez smelling clean.
• Baking Soda: Adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the water helps neutralize odors and keep Orbeez fresh.

How Often Should You Change Orbeez Water?

To keep Orbeez fresh and odor-free, it’s essential to change their water regularly. Here’s a recommended timeline:

• Daily Use: Change the water every 2-3 days to prevent bacteria buildup.
• Decorative Use: If Orbeez are being used in vases or as decor, change the water every 5-7 days.
• Storage: If storing Orbeez in water for a long time, refresh the water every week to keep them hydrated and odor-free.

Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Orbeez

While cleaning and maintenance can prolong the life of Orbeez, they won’t last forever. Look out for these signs that it’s time to replace them:

• Discoloration: Orbeez that turn cloudy, brown, or yellow are likely contaminated and need to be discarded.
• Sticky or Slimy Texture: If the beads feel sticky or slimy, this is a sign of bacterial growth.
• Persistent Smell: If, despite cleaning, the smell persists, it’s time to replace the Orbeez with fresh ones.

Use Air Freshener to Get rid of the smell

If you feel moldy smells from the orbeez, you can get rid of them using an air freshener. However, it is only a short-term fix for your issue. These things may momentarily cover up the musty odor, but they will return once the air freshener or other odors have worn off.

Air fresheners include plug-in and spray versions of Febreze or other odor-removing sprays. You can get rid of orbeez which are broken by throwing them in dustbin after wrapping them in plastic so that they cannot get in contact with water.

How to make air fresheners from water beads?

Scented Orbeez are a popular DIY air freshener option. You can also make your own air freshener orbeez, you will need the following:

• Into a large dish, add the water beads. After that, add a lot of water.
• Leave them for about 6 to 10 hours!
• Now choose your fragrant oil from a large basin.
• Add the oils until the fragrance is intense.
• Pick out your container, then stuff it with the fragrant beads!

Do Orbeez Mold?

Water beads are safe to use, and they do not contain any harmful chemicals. The only thing that can cause the odor is bacteria. This can be caused by mold. If your water beads have a slimy feeling, throw them out and replace them with new ones.

Home Remedies to Remove Mildew Smells from Orbeez

If you have an abundance of orbeez and they are starting to smell, you can do a few things. If you have a mildew smell in your orbeez, it can happen that the problem is not with the soft balls but rather with the water supply.

The first thing to do is test this by running some clean water through water beads. If it has been long enough, there should be no signs of mildew at all. If there are still signs of mildew, your filtration system needs cleaning or something wrong with how it works.

Another way to remove mildew smells from orbeez is by using fragrant oils. These oils will remove the smells from gel beads to a large extent.

Several other methods can be used to remove the Smell of mildew, including:

• Washing the orbeez in vinegar and water.
• Drying them thoroughly after washing them.
• Using a combination of bleach and water.

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