Aroma Beads Vs Wax Beads: What's The Difference?

Aroma beads are small plastic beads that can be used as air fresheners. They are made of virgin ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic and can be scented, coloured, and melted into shapes. Wax beads, on the other hand, are made of wax and typically used for melting in wax warmers or for candle-making. While both types of beads can be used to create a pleasant fragrance, they are made of different materials and have distinct purposes.

Aroma beads are made of virgin ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic

Aroma beads are small plastic pellets that can be scented and coloured to make air fresheners. They are made of virgin ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic, also known as poly ethyl vinyl acetate (PEVA). EVA is a copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate, with the weight percentage of vinyl acetate varying from 10 to 50%. This type of plastic has rubbery yet firm properties, making it ideal for melting into different shapes.

EVA plastic is considered safe for food production, packaging and transportation. It is also BPA-free and phthalate-free. It does not contain formaldehyde, unlike EVA foam. EVA pellets do not emit any harmful odours when melted at the appropriate temperatures and are generally considered non-toxic.

The melting point of EVA plastic is around 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and oven temperatures between 300 and 350 degrees Fahrenheit are required to melt the beads together.

Aroma beads can be used in a variety of ways, such as placing them in muslin sachets, organza bags or clear glass jars to create air fresheners. They can also be melted into fun shapes to make "car freshies".

Aroma beads are not the same as poly pellets

Aroma beads are small plastic pellets that can be used as air fresheners. They are made of virgin ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic, sometimes referred to as poly ethyl vinyl acetate (PEVA). This type of plastic has a slightly rubbery yet firm feel, making it ideal for melting into different shapes. Aroma beads can absorb a significant amount of fragrance oil—up to 2oz of fragrance oil per pound—and can also be coloured using liquid dyes or mica powder. They are safe to use, BPA-free, phthalate-free, and do not contain formaldehyde.

Poly pellets, on the other hand, are made from polypropylene. While they may look similar to aroma beads, they do not absorb fragrance and colour in the same way. Poly pellets are intended to be used as a weighted stuffing material for crafts such as dolls, toys, bean bags, and weighted blankets. They have a smooth edge and an oval contour, creating a uniform fill.

Although aroma beads can be used in projects that typically use poly pellets, such as stuffed toys or weighted blankets, poly pellets cannot be used as a substitute for aroma beads in scented projects. This is because poly pellets cannot absorb fragrance and colour in the same way that EVA plastic does. Therefore, it is important to understand the unique properties of each type of bead and use them accordingly.

Aroma beads are safe to use

Aroma beads are small plastic pellets made of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic, sometimes called poly ethyl vinyl acetate (PEVA). They are safe to use, but there are a few safety precautions to be aware of.

Firstly, EVA plastic is BPA-free and phthalate-free. It is also different from EVA foam, which has a bad reputation for containing formaldehyde. The EVA pellets used for aroma beads do not contain formaldehyde. When melted at the appropriate temperature (no higher than 350 degrees Fahrenheit), they do not emit any harmful odours. However, if melted at excessively high temperatures, they may burn and emit smoke. Therefore, it is important to keep them away from direct flames and not to use them with a potpourri burner or wax tart warmer.

Secondly, aroma beads should be kept out of the reach of children and pets as they pose a choking hazard due to their small size.

Thirdly, once fragrance has been added, aroma beads should not be used for any projects that will come into contact with food. This also applies to the tools and accessories used for mixing or melting the beads – they should not be used again for food preparation or allowed to come into contact with food.

Finally, if using aroma beads in a project that will come into contact with skin, it is important to use skin-safe fragrances. Refer to the IFRA statement for each fragrance to determine if it is skin-safe.

Overall, while there are some safety considerations to keep in mind, aroma beads are safe to use when following the recommended guidelines.

Aroma beads can be recycled

Aroma beads are small plastic pellets made of virgin ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic, sometimes referred to as poly ethyl vinyl acetate (PEVA). They are used for creating scented products such as air fresheners and can be melted into different shapes.

Unused (unscented) aroma beads may be recyclable. EVA is a number 7 plastic, and whether or not it is accepted by your local recycling programme depends on where you live. If you have unused aroma beads, you can contact your local recycling agency to find out if they can be recycled in your area.

If you have used aroma beads that have lost their scent, there are several ways to reuse them before disposing of them in the trash. You can tie a ribbon around them and use them as Christmas tree ornaments, spritz them with a small amount of fragrance oil to revive their scent, or hang them in a window as a sun catcher.

Aroma beads can be melted into shapes

Aroma beads are small plastic pellets made of virgin ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) plastic. They can be melted into shapes using an oven or a silicone mould.

To melt aroma beads into shapes, you will need:

• Metal cookie cutters
• A baking sheet
• Parchment paper

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Do not use wax paper.
• Place the metal cookie cutters onto the lined baking sheet, evenly spaced apart.
• Pour a thin layer of scented beads into each cookie cutter. The recommended thickness is about 1/4 of an inch. Arrange the beads so they fill all the details of the cookie cutter.
• Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-10 minutes, checking regularly after the 5-minute mark.
• Poke the beads with a wooden toothpick, chopstick, or popsicle stick to check if they are done. The beads are ready when they stick together and do not separate when poked. They will also appear glassy and clear.
• Remove from the oven and let cool.
• Once the beads are cool enough to handle, gently pop the shape out of the mould.

Some additional tips to keep in mind:

• Aroma beads will start to melt at around 165 degrees Fahrenheit, but you will need a higher temperature to get them to melt together.
• Be careful not to melt the beads at excessively high temperatures, as they may burn and emit smoke.
• Aroma beads cannot be melted in a microwave.
• You can also use a silicone mould on a baking sheet, but avoid using plastic moulds as they may melt.
• If you want to hang your aroma bead shapes, you can place a roofing nail in the mould before adding the beads. Alternatively, you can drill a hole after baking, but this is more difficult.

Frequently asked questions