Click on a question below to display the answer, or scroll down the page.
- How much snow does it make?
- How long does it last?
- What is it? Is it safe and environmentally friendly?
- Will it blow around or melt?
- Does it need to be on a special surface?
- How do you clean it up?
- Does it irritate the skin?
- Can it be used outdoors?
- Can it be put on trees and plants?
- Why does it feel cold?
- Can it be reused?
- Who invented SnoWonder?
1. How much snow does it make?
SnoWonder absorbs 50 to 100 times its volume in water, so a small amount of powder makes a LOT of snow. Each package is sold according to the amount of snow it makes. One tablespoon of powder makes about a quart of snow. The actual amount of snow it makes will vary with the mineral content of the water and the humidity and temperature of the room.
2. How long does it last?
Except for slow surface evaporation, SnoWonder will last for days or weeks. Depending on the humidity, the surface will need to be refreshed by misting it with water from a spray bottle or by adding a little “wet” snow on top. Often just fluffing it up with fingers will mix the wetter snow with the drier surface. Where the snow is very thin it will need to be refreshed more often, but in thicker applications, or where the snow is better contained, it will sometimes retain its wet look for weeks.
3. What is it? Is it safe and environmentally friendly?
SnoWonder is a patented, safe and non-toxic polymer developed specifically to imitate most of the properties of snow. It can be used around children and pets, though mixing should always be supervised by an adult. No harm will come if eaten but, of course, it is not real snow and should not be eaten. SnoWonder is biodegradable and environmentally friendly but large amounts should be picked up after use and either mixed into garden soil (where it will help hold moisture while it breaks down) or disposed of. In Japan commercial quantities from the snowboard parks have been reused in agriculture.
4. Will it blow around or melt?
No, a mixed batch of SnoWonder is 99% water and it will not blow around like Styrofoam or paper snow. It will not melt and the polymer will resist releasing the water, except for slow surface evaporation.
5. Does it need to be on a special surface?
No, SnoWonder can be used on almost any surface except untreated wood. Glass, plastic, tile, mirror, ceramic are all ideal surfaces. The water will not affect most fabric and SnoWonder will not stain, but normal care should be taken on delicate or expensive surfaces.
6. How do you clean it up?
SnoWonder is very easy to clean up. It can be picked up with any type of vacuum cleaner, swept or brushed off any surface, and washed off small items in the sink.
7. Does it irritate the skin?
No, there are no chemical agents or irritants in SnoWonder. It is easy to brush or wipe it from your hands.
8. Can it be used outdoors?
SnoWonder is intended for indoor use but can be used outdoors if it does not get too much sun. Of course, rain will oversaturate it. In a covered outdoor location it does great as it loves the humidity in the air.
9. Can it be put on trees and plants?
Yes, it looks great on evergreens, bonsai and many other plants. It may dry out a little faster in these situations. Avoid contact with soil because, like real snow, it will discolor. The coolness and moisture of SnoWonder is beneficial to most plants. Some ferns and sensitive leaves may discolor from contact, so always test a small area first.
10. Why does it feel cold?
Because it is 99% water.
11. Can it be reused?
We reuse our snow several times by letting it dry out on a flat surface and adding water when we want it to reconstitute. Dust from the air and minerals in the water eventually prevent reuse.
12. Who invented SnoWonder?
SnoWonder was originally developed in Japan more than 10 years ago, for use in indoor Snowboard parks. It is still used for that purpose, and at 27 degrees it is as fast as real snow for sports purposes.