What is inside snow globes?

Asked by: Michelle Kotha

For health and safety reasons, white plastic has become more common in the construction of modern snow globes. The liquid has evolved from initially light oil to a mixture of water, antifreeze (ethylene glycol), and glycerol. An added benefit was that glycerol slowed the descent of the snow.

Is the stuff inside snow globes toxic?

Most of us have snow globes in our homes, they are popular gifts to give especially during the holidays, but they are often found on shelves year round. What most people don’t realize is that snow globes are filled with a toxic chemical called ethylene glycol, which is the main ingredient in antifreeze.

What is a snow globe filled with?

Today, all but the best quality globes are plastic. The liquid is just water in the plastic snow globes. Glass snow globes often include glycol, an antifreeze, to keep the glass from breaking if frozen.

Do all snow globes have antifreeze in them?

Many people think that snow globes are just filled with water. But some globes, especially ones from overseas, actually have a small amount of ethylene glycol (antifreeze) mixed in. This can help keep the water from freezing during shipping, but ethylene glycol can be very harmful if you swallow it.

What liquid is in old snow globes?

Older globes were made using water, but today almost all are manufactured with a synthetic liquid — glycol (i.e., antifreeze). If yours is a new one, leave it to a professional to take care of the globe.

Is ethylene glycol harmful to skin?

Skin exposure to ethylene glycol can cause skin irritation but is otherwise not especially dangerous. In case of skin exposure to EG, remove wet clothing with EG on it, then wash the affected skin with soap and water.

What liquid is in a snow globe tumbler?

If you want a tumbler with tons of movement when it’s shake go with: 1/4 cup glycerin and 3/4 cups water. What is this? If you want a tumbler that moves more slowly and doesn’t settle as quickly I’d recommend using: 1/4 cup clear glue with 3/4 cups water.

How do you refill a snow globe?

It doesn't take a lot okay a little bit. More just pouring that in there if you get a little water into it into the actual suction cup that's fine that is totally fine. Now just dump it.

How do you make liquid for snow globes?

Invite your child to pour 1 tablespoon of iridescent glitter and 2 tablespoons of liquid glycerin or clear glue into the jar. Fill the remainder of the jar with distilled water, leaving 1-inch of headspace for the plug. Unlike tap water, distilled water is free of contaminants and will help keep your jars mold-free.

Can I change the water in a snow globe?

Snow globes are very collectible items and, over the years, they can lose water, or sometimes the water becomes clouded with dust or algae. If your snow globe has a plug on the bottom, changing the water in a snow globe is relatively easy. With the proper tools and a steady hand, it can easily be done in an hour.

Can you use baby oil instead of glycerin for snow globes?

It is important to not fill water all the way to the top! A good ratio is 1 cup of water, 3 teaspoons glycerin, and 3 teaspoons glitter. Glycerin can be substituted for olive oil, vegetable oil, or baby oil. Adding more oil will make the glitter fall slower.

Can you use tap water in a snow globe?

Top tips for making a snowglobe



Normal tap water is fine to use, but if you have particularly cloudy water you may wish to use filtered or store-bought water for the clearest effect.

How do you make a snow globe without glycerin?

There are plenty of ways you can substitute glycerin when bringing your homemade snow globes to life. Some glycerin alternatives include light corn syrup, mineral oil, baby oil, or a clear cooking oil. Conversely, you can omit a substitute altogether!

How do I make distilled water?

The process of distilling is simple: Heat tap water to the point that it turns to vapor. When the vapor condenses back to water, it leaves behind any mineral residue. The resulting condensed liquid is distilled water.

What do you do with a broken snow globe?

What do I need to do to have my broken snow globe repaired? Place the broken snow globe in a plastic bag then pack it very carefully so that the resin insert is protected and does not move around in the shipping box. Use tissue or soft packing to protect the interior sculpture from additional breakage.

How do snow globes lose water?

When shaken, the glitter or faux snow distributes through the liquid and simulates snowfall as it settles back onto the floor of the ornament. Over time, the liquid inside a snow globe may leak or slowly evaporate.

Why do snow globes turn brown?

Snow globes, a popular collectors item, can over time become discolored or the water can turn cloudy. This is usually do to the build up of algae in the water. The cloudy color can also be caused by a build up of dust that gathers within the globe and, therefore discolors the water.

How long do snow globes last?

Snow globes do contain anti-freeze and are capable of resisting freezing for about 4-6 hours, in very low temperatures. We have seen them freeze before though, so please do be vigilant with delivery in these situations.

What are snow globes made of?

A snow globe (also called a waterglobe, snowstorm, or snowdome) is a transparent sphere, traditionally made of glass, enclosing a miniaturized scene of some sort, often together with a model of a town, landscape or figure.

Should there be an air bubble in a snow globe?

The ball is therefore not leaking. In some balls one can remove air bubbles. Air bubbles can also occur due to temperature fluctuations, ie also on the transport path. In some cases, some of the water in the ball evaporates, and small air bubbles form at the top of the snow globe.

Can you repair a snow globe?

Whether the water is low or has become cloudy, or the musical components don’t work properly anymore, chances are the snow globe can be repaired. If the glass is shattered, you will need to have the snow globe professionally repaired. However, you can fix scratches and chips on the glass of a snow globe yourself.

How do you disassemble a snow globe?

All right so uh we're gonna use boiling water uh to take apart this uh globe. You could use a hair dryer but the boiling water seems to work pretty fast and it's easy.

What is the best glitter for snow globes?

Tinsel glitter – After much experimenting I found that tinsel glitter, which has larger particles, worked best for making DIY snow globes as it looks most like snow when falling through the water.

How do you fix a cloudy snow globe?

Over time, the liquid inside a snow globe may leak or slowly evaporate. It is often possible to add water to a snow globe in order to restore it back to its original beauty. Fill a plastic syringe with water and carefully add water to the globe through the hole until it is completely full.

Why does the glitter float in my snow globe?

If your glitter all floats at the top, you don’t have enough. If it all sinks to the bottom and doesn’t want to move when you shake the jar, you have too much. To save water, start with a little and add until you’re happy with the float of your glitter.

Can you change the water in a rose globe?

There is a seal on the bottom that can be opened to change the water.