Interior details: artificial snow for decoration. How artificial snow from a spray can ruined my holiday How to cover an artificial Christmas tree with artificial snow

Winter is coming into its own, and the first New Year's goods are already appearing on store shelves, and you can slowly prepare for the holiday and start waiting for a miracle))

I love preparing for the New Year: decorating the house and the Christmas tree, creating weird crafts... In both cases, I often want to dust something with snow, but how to do it?

I knew about the existence of artificial snow in cans for a long time, and I really wanted to try such a product in action... But bad luck - I didn’t come across it on store shelves, and specifically asked “ where to buy artificial snow“I didn’t wonder... And then r-r-r-time! And I came across such a spray on the Fix Price counter!

And in different colors too!

I chose the classic option - white artificial snow , but there was also blue, green and red. By the way, the entire shelf was filled with colored ones, and there were only a few bottles of white left - they were snapped up instantly.

General information:

As you know, buy artificial snow possible in a well-known store Fix Price .

Price can of artificial snow at the time of purchase - 53 rubles . In 2017 - already 77 rubles.

Volume - 250 ml.

Made in China.

Package :

The cylinder itself has a bright design. On a blue background, a bright symbol of winter - a red bullfinch on a rowan branch:

On the back of the bottle there is all the necessary information:

Including method of use and precautions:

Under the bottle cap there is another cap (for reliability?):

The density of the sprayed snow depends on the distance to the surface and the duration of pressing the dispenser:

Let's see what artificial snow looks like in the photo!

If you spray from about 20 cm, you get a dense layer of snow (left), and if you spray from 40-50 cm, you get a light translucent frost (right):

The snow looks quite natural; it does not fall in a uniform layer, but in snowflake grains:

Here I will note the only disadvantage of this snow: it's matte. For complete naturalness, I would like it to sparkle with small sparkles...

And, of course, photos of artificial snow in action!

The use of artificial snow for decoration is limited only by your imagination))

You can decorate pine or Christmas tree branches with artificial snow:

The branches really look like they've been dusted with snow!

Using stencils and artificial snow, you can draw patterns on windows and mirrors (or, for example, dark furniture - why not?).

You can use snowflakes as stencils (I glued them to the window using water):

Or some decorative decorations (attached with double-sided tape):

Or even lace:

And what beauty you get if you use special New Year’s stencils! Just look:

I bought these stencils at the same Fix Price, they come in a whole set. Other drawings and other ways to use stencils can be found in a separate review.

You can also use artificial snow for crafts, but I haven’t gotten around to it yet (when I get there, I’ll show you an example).

A little more information, already subjective, has become clear during use:

• Artificial snow feels like lumps of rubber or wet paper to the touch.
• When applied there is a smell, not very pleasant, but not unpleasant either. Not caustic, disappears quickly.
• Consumption - I can’t say yet. During the experiments, I splashed snow on a large window and a bunch of pine branches, but the balloon didn’t end there.
• It sticks well to surfaces if you don’t touch it... The branches fall off a little if you shake them:

But in general, it holds firm; it hasn’t disappeared from the branches in 2 weeks:

• ​Washes off easily and without problems. Just a damp cloth, no detergents:

And I decorate the windows in the living room with a curtain garland, more details in a separate review at the link.

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Update from 03/09/2017.

4 months have passed since the drawings were applied to the glass. What does it look like? Like this:

...and if the Cat didn’t wipe the window with his furry butt 8 times a day, it would be even better))

Spring came, the drawings had to be washed by hand - the artificial snow did not disappear anywhere, the durability was excellent! It washes off without any problems...

The New Year is almost a month away, and the shops and markets are already sparkling with garlands and tinsel. Having succumbed to the general excitement, I decided to add to my collection of Christmas tree decorations. In front of me at the cash register, teenagers paid for a small glass ball, inside of which artificial snowflakes floated in a transparent solution. On the way out of the store, one of the guys, looking at the curiosity, accidentally dropped it. On the stone tiles around the fragments, a puddle of an incomprehensible liquid with a pungent odor immediately spread.

— The fillers of such glass souvenirs are most often various organic substances and chemical reagents. They are not very toxic, but inhaling their vapors can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, such substances should not be allowed to come into contact with eyes, skin or food.

The Christmas tree decorations that we see on the shelves come mainly from China. Lightweight plastic balls do not break and look attractive. However, they can be made from unsafe recycled materials: decorative coatings often contain phenol, lead and formaldehyde. When these substances enter the body, they cause diseases of the nervous system, kidneys, and gastric disorders. According to expert advice, when choosing Christmas tree decorations, you should carefully consider them. If there is a persistent smell of plastic and glue, and the paint is crumbling, it is better not to buy.

Many people keep collections of toys that are decades old. Glass ones are generally safe, but those made from natural materials such as papier-mâché and feathers can be affected by mold or mildew. It's better to get rid of them.

Christmas tree decorations, which we call toys, in most cases are not such. They are not subject to certification and are not intended for children's play. Purchased from markets or unauthorized retail outlets, they can be particularly dangerous.

It’s worth taking a good look at the live spruce trees in tubs. Not all of them come from the Belarusian forestry enterprise; many are delivered from Holland and China, where they are grown in special nurseries. There, spruce trees are treated with growth-regulating and pesticide compounds. Therefore, before you start decorating such a Christmas tree, give it a cool shower.

The expert recommends carefully choosing decorative candles. They, of course, help create a festive atmosphere, but when burned, a considerable amount of carbon monoxide is released, which can be unsafe, especially in an unventilated room. And by using scented candles, you run the risk of additional “inhalation” of harmful chemicals. Therefore, under no circumstances light candles in front of children under three years of age or if anyone present has a tendency to allergies.

Artificial snow sprayed from a can is also far from harmless. Apply it to a spruce tree or window frame, but never to yourself. In some families, it is customary to decorate the New Year's cake with sparklers. Doing this is also strictly prohibited. The flammable mixture that covers sparklers contains components that are harmful to health. The safest decorations are considered to be foil rain and streamers.

In the festive euphoria, do not lose your vigilance, advises Irina Ilyukova. - Imported goods must undergo mandatory sanitary and hygienic control; ask the seller for a copy of the relevant document.

And when buying a live spruce in a tub, you have the right to request a phytosanitary certificate, which must indicate how the tree was treated.

COMPETENTLY

Elena Bragina, head of the lighting products certification sector of the Belarusian State Institute of Standardization and Certification:

Electrical garlands are subject to technical regulations of the Customs Union. Those intended for home use are subject to certification, and those intended for decorating streets and building facades are subject to declaration of conformity. You must ask the seller for a document confirming the compliance of such products with the requirements of the certificate or declaration. In addition, these products must have marking labels indicating the unified mark of product circulation on the market of the CU-EAC countries, as well as the main technical characteristics of the products. The area of ​​application of the garlands must also be indicated on the packaging, for example, “for indoor use only.”

Everyone who heard the song about Winter's hut, with an icy ceiling and frost everywhere, probably dreamed of looking at such beauty at least with one eye or having something similar in their home. Unfortunately, you won’t be able to decorate your home with real snow, but you can always make DIY artificial snow.

Most of us think about snow decorations on the eve of the New Year holidays, but such decor can always be done at other times of the year. Snow motifs give a feeling of freshness and harmony, and contemplation of snow calms and uplifts.

Alternative to snow

From available materials you can make snowdrifts, scatterings of snowflakes and frosty patterns no worse than real ones. They will help to include them in the interior.

Snow is often replaced with cotton wool, but salt, paper confetti, foam balls or white rain are also good alternatives.

For a snow theme, you can use white fleecy blankets and carpets. They will complement the overall composition, effectively combining external resemblance to cold snow and warm tactile sensations.

There are many options for using snow imitation:

• cover vases, figurines, flowerpots and other home accessories with white faux fur;
• put foam balls on a fishing line and hang them from the cornice - this is one of the best imitation of falling snowflakes;
• make snowdrifts on a large tray using salt;
• cover all horizontal surfaces with a thin layer of cotton wool;
• Place a garland on the windowsill, covering it with white mesh tulle - this way you can imitate shimmering snow.

Snow decor can be different, the main thing is to approach the creative process in a good mood.

If you don't want to bother with homemade snow substitutes, you can purchase artificial snow in cans at the store. With its help, you get the most realistic resemblance of snow, because the similarity of the substitute to it is very high.

It can be in the form of a spray or have a gel-like consistency. Snow powder is also sold, thanks to which the snowdrifts turn out simply magical.

Artificial snow is quite economical. To decorate your apartment you will need two or three spoons of the dry mixture. It is filled with water in the proportions specified in the instructions. In a few seconds you will have real snow kuchugurs, because the artificial substitute increases the volume tenfold.

It is almost impossible to distinguish artificial snow from natural snow. The only sign is that it doesn't melt.

Decorative snow contains polymers that granulate upon contact with water. The result depends on the amount of moisture. To obtain snow powder, the dry mixture is diluted with a large amount of water; soft and fluffy snowdrifts require less water.

Artificial snow can be different: synthetic fibers give the imitation a specific shine, viscose in the composition makes it a loose consistency, suitable for making snowballs.

Artificial snow recipes

You can decorate your house differently if you know how to make artificial snow at home.

Snow made from soda

A packet of baking soda requires a bottle of shaving foam. The components must be kneaded gradually, choosing the appropriate consistency. This kind of snow turns out to be wet and cold and makes good snowballs.

Snow made from flour and massage oil

Butter is mixed with flour in a ratio of 1:4. The mixture must be thoroughly mixed to form a homogeneous mass, so it is better to use a whisk. The result is soft snow with a pleasant aroma.

You need to take corn starch, at least three glasses. It is diluted with half a glass of vegetable oil. You can do it with snow like this. You can eat it, and outwardly it looks like the real thing.

Kinetic snow

A cup of baking soda is mixed with cornmeal and cornstarch (half a cup of each is required). Add water (three quarters of a cup) to the dry ingredients. This snow is fluid and can be used not only for interior decoration, but also for children's games.

Self-made snow can be used for a variety of purposes. You can sprinkle it on flowers in pots, use it to create winter compositions, or decorate the Christmas tree by scattering snow on the branches with your own hands.

Artificial snow decor ideas

The snowy interior gives a festive and magical atmosphere. With the help of snow, you can decorate your home in an unusual way, giving all residents a winter fairy tale:

• Decorate window glass and mirrors with frost using artificial snow in a spray can. Use a stencil to get beautiful patterns. Using this technique, various surfaces can be decorated with your favorite inscriptions.
• Make a snowfall from pieces of cotton wool, stringing them on a thread soaked in glue. There should be an equal gap between the cotton balls.
• Coat dry or spruce branches with glue and sprinkle with homemade artificial snow. It is also useful to use polystyrene foam for these purposes. Powdered plants can be placed in vases covered with “frost”. It is made in a similar way.
• You can make a beautiful wreath from living pine branches, decorating it with artificial frost and snow-covered pine cones.
• Tall red candles will be much more beautiful if they are smeared with glue and then powdered with a snow substitute.

Artificial snow for decoration is safe and environmentally friendly, it does not electrify and does not stick to clothes. To remove it, just vacuum the surface. Snow substitute from cans can be removed from vertical surfaces using a wet rag.

You need to spray snow from an aerosol at a distance of ten to twenty centimeters from the surface.

When creating winter compositions, you should adhere to the interior style. No matter how beautiful the decor is, it shouldn’t be too much. For the bedroom and children's room, one or two accessories will be enough to bring a festive mood. Also correct. You can put several snow-covered branches here or hang a “snowfall” on a thread. A winter accent will be more appropriate in the living room and hallway.

First, we should dispel the myth that all you need to create artificial snow is water and cold temperature. Even if you fill a spray bottle with water and try to spray again in cold temperatures, you will likely end up with a bunch of small pieces of ice rather than the artificial snow that we are used to seeing at well-maintained ski resorts. We can observe approximately the same thing with real snow - its production requires a very accurate temperature diagram, which has a so-called initial condensation center.

Why does it roll worse?

To be fair, we note that similar problems await athletes when skiing on real snow in warm weather.

15 ways to make artificial snow with your own hands

Real snow, when melting, tends to stick to the snowboard as well.

Spray "Artificial snow"

Using both types is not particularly different. The first polymer option is more suitable for windows or mirrors; it can be applied to cabinet glass. It goes on evenly and looks beautiful. The second option, the so-called foam snow, is a bit like shaving foam. And it looks like real snow. Therefore, it is better to apply such artificial snow in an aerosol to a Christmas tree or other interior items.

Today, the basis of almost any ski resort is artificial snow, which is what remains when the regular snow has completely melted. It is artificial snow that appears on the green grass, when weather forecasters see real snow only in the distant, unattainable future. Spring warmth is coming, which means the topic of artificial snow is more relevant than ever. When the next winter sports season ends depends only on its quality. Today we will talk about the quality of artificial snow, how it was made yesterday, and how it is made today.

The essence of the artificial snowmaking process

First, we should dispel the myth that all you need to create artificial snow is water and cold temperature.

Guns over the city

Even if you fill a spray bottle with water and try to spray again in cold temperatures, you will likely end up with a bunch of small pieces of ice rather than the artificial snow that we are used to seeing at well-maintained ski resorts. We can observe approximately the same thing with real snow - its production requires a very accurate temperature diagram, which has a so-called initial condensation center.

If this center does not exist, then instead of snow, hail or dense granular snow falls, which is hardly suitable for skiers and snowboarders.

For this reason, water and cold temperatures alone are not enough to form snow. To make everything work like winter, water should be sprayed at a certain temperature and in a certain way. The construction of a snow cannon is not as simple as it might seem at first glance, and therefore the production of artificial snow is not a cheap matter.

All snow cannons are divided into two types: mast and fan. In the first case, thin nozzles are supplied with a pressure that is sprayed at a great distance from the ground - at Ural ski resorts you can often find this type of snow cannon; in other regions of Russia, fan snow cannons are often found. After the shot, the snow should hang in the air for some time, for this reason the guns are aimed upward, and the best snow appears at a distance of 10-20 meters from them.

When making snow on the slopes, each cannon consumes from 100 to 500 liters of water per minute. Modern snow cannons, often found at highly developed ski resorts, are capable of creating about 100 cubic meters of artificial snow for the ski resort in just one hour.

Why does it roll worse?

Just how good is this snow? In fact, there are a lot of factors here. With high-quality setup of a snow gun, precise adjustment of the supply of ingredients to create snow, the output is a very, very good product.

But if you approach its creation with the famous Russian “maybe”, then what you will get is not good snow, but a hard crystallized mass, inferior to ordinary snow in many characteristics and capable of scratching the slide of a snowboard. Bad artificial snow could often be found in Russia 10 years ago, but modern technologies make it possible to create not just good snow mass, but snow, the melting temperature of which can differ significantly from the traditional “zero”.

Today, special substances are increasingly being added to water, around the molecules of which highly durable snowflakes are formed. The scientific term for this process is heterogeneous nucleation.

The snow formed as a result of chemical reactions differs little from natural snow, but this is only upon inattentive examination. The fact is that artificial snow at ski resorts lacks the main thing - super-ideal molecular symmetry. The artificial snow of ski resorts looks more like sugar crystals than ordinary snowflakes. The reason for this is the short production time of artificial snow, in contrast to natural snow. This gives it additional resistance to high temperatures, but rolling on such snow will indeed suffer noticeably.

While moving on such snow, sloppy snow crystals more easily stick together into lumps of ice, which not only prevent the snowboard from sliding normally on it, but also tend to stick to the board, making it difficult for the athlete to move on such an artificial snow mass.

To be fair, we note that similar problems await athletes when skiing on real snow in warm weather. Real snow, when melting, tends to stick to the snowboard as well.

In conclusion, we note that today there are artificial snowmaking systems at almost all ski resorts in the Urals. Thus, thanks to them, the ski resorts “Pilnaya” and “Uktus” allowed themselves to open the winter sports season in 2011 in the middle of autumn, when there was not even a smell of real snow yet.

And the ski resorts “Ezhovaya” and “Volchikha”, thanks to artificial snowmaking systems, again intend to close the ski season almost in May.

Spray "Artificial snow"

It has now become much more convenient to decorate a house or city apartment with beautiful snow patterns on the windows or make snow-covered crafts using snow in the form of a spray. Applying artificial snow is a pleasure, as everything, as if by magic, becomes covered with frost when pressed. It is worth noting that this method of decoration has become very popular and craftswomen try to use it literally everywhere.

Aerosol with white (and not only) artificial snow

The most common color of snow for us is white without bright shine or other effects. It is usually used to decorate windows. These include stencils with images of Christmas trees and snowmen, and snowflakes. New Year's crafts are often completed with this white snow.

If just white doesn’t quite fit, then we start imagining. And here you have a colored spray with artificial snow at hand. There is an excellent solution in the form of bright fluorescent sprays of various shades. In the dark, such a decoration will begin to glow and complement the holiday atmosphere.

As a rule, artificial snow is in an aerosol and can be easily washed. It is enough to wash it off with warm water, and some traces of the holiday can be simply shaken off onto the floor and vacuumed. However, there were complaints from consumers who were unable to wipe off the white residue without leaving a trace. So it makes sense to find a can from a good manufacturer and not save money. You can also first apply a pattern to a surface that you don’t mind, and then look at the difficulty of cleaning.

If you plan to use Fake Snow spray as a temporary decoration, it's worth looking for something called melting snow. There is no cleaning process at all here. After some time, it will disappear on its own or simply melt away. A very convenient solution for decorating artificial Christmas trees, because you don’t have to wash them later.

How to use Artificial Snow spray?

Using both types is not particularly different.

The first polymer option is more suitable for windows or mirrors; it can be applied to cabinet glass. It goes on evenly and looks beautiful. The second option, the so-called foam snow, is a bit like shaving foam. And it looks like real snow. Therefore, it is better to apply such artificial snow in an aerosol to a Christmas tree or other interior items.

In addition to windows or mirrors, the “Artificial Snow” spray is suitable as a decoration for New Year’s vases. It can be applied to pine cones and added glitter to create an alternative to Christmas decorations.

How to make artificial snow at home

How to make artificial snow. DIY snow

I would like a special snow decoration for the New Year holidays, but real snow, alas, is only outside. How to make artificial snow with your own hands? What is the best way to decorate a Christmas tree, windows, candles, twigs and other interior items with artificial snow? On the pages of our website we have collected the best ideas for making artificial snow. Let's consider each method separately.

Artificial snow made from candles and talcum powder

To prepare artificial snow, you can use regular talc (baby powder) and paraffin (candles). Grate the pre-cooled candles on a fine grater, mix the resulting crumbs with talc and sparkles (glitters). This snow is suitable for decorating Christmas tree decorations, painting windows and decorating New Year's crafts.

Styrofoam snow

An easy way to get artificial snow is to ruffle the foam. The foam is white and consists of small balls. If you take a piece of foam packaging from household appliances and crumble the foam with a fork, you will get quite a lot of light and sticky snow.

Please note that foam balls have a bad habit of becoming magnetized to everything and are not easy to remove.

Foam snow looks interesting when decorating branches - you can make a Bouquet in frost.

DIY snow made from paper and soap

To make artificial snow, you can use paper towels or toilet paper. 2-3 rolls of paper need to be torn into small pieces. Next, take white soap and place it in a ceramic or plastic container. Place pieces of paper on the soap. Place the bowl in the microwave for 30-40 seconds. The mass should become airy and crumble.

Take the snow mass out of the microwave and pour a little water into it to make the snow plastic. Now you can sculpt such snow and roll snowballs out of it. You can make small snowmen or other funny figures from soap and paper snow to decorate your room for the holiday.

Artificial snow from diapers

Interesting artificial snow can be made from diapers or disposable diapers. The absorbent substance included in the diapers, sodium polyacrylate, looks like snow when it interacts with water. This property can be used to make snow with your own hands.

Take out the stuffing that looks like cotton wool from the diapers, chop it up and put it in a deep bowl. Gradually add clean water to the substance and stir the mass. It will look like real snow. This snow can be used to decorate crafts, create snowmen and make snowballs.

Eggshell snow

Crushed egg shells look like snow. To make this artificial snow, take the shells of several white eggs, dry them, and remove the films from the inside of the shell. Then place the shells in a tight bag and crush them with a hard object by tapping the bag.

Mix the resulting snow with glitter. Now they can decorate New Year's toys, spruce branches, and windows.

Artificial snow made from soda and shaving foam

An interesting version of artificial snow can be made from shaving foam and soda. You will need to take 1 can of foam and 1.5 packs of soda.

Squeeze shaving foam into a deep bowl in parts and mix it with baking soda. You will have to mix gradually, adding foam and soda and stirring everything well. You can add glitter to the mixture. Then put the bowl of snow in the refrigerator.

Snow made of polyethylene and starch

Snow mass can be made from polyethylene. Grate the packaging polyethylene or insulation based on it on a medium-sized grater. Add glitter and potato starch to the resulting shavings and mix everything with a little water. Then the resulting snow needs to be dried.

Such snow can be glued (using PVA glue) to artificial Christmas tree branches.

Snow drawings on the windows

Snow patterns on the glass windows look charming. Making this artificial snow is very easy. Using a prepared stencil (New Year's stencils), stencils with the symbols of the year and just letters) and a toothbrush, spray snow dust onto the glass. The mass for such spraying can be made from toothpaste and starch.

Mix 1 tube of toothpaste with potato starch and a cup of boiling water. Whisk the mixture until foamy enough. This snow composition is suitable for decorating spruce branches and Christmas tree decorations.

Frost from salt

Do you want to decorate thin branches with frost? Then try using regular salt for this purpose. Take 1 kg of salt and dissolve it in 1.5 liters of hot water. Do not turn off the heat until all the salt crystals have dissolved. Place clean and dry twigs into the cooled solution. They need to be kept in salt water for at least 4-5 hours. Salt crystals will form on the branches gradually. The longer they remain in the solution, the larger the artificial frost will be.

It's not at all difficult to make artificial snow with your own hands. Choose the desired snow making option for yourself and create with your children. It's not only beautiful, but also fun. May your holiday be bright!

Now supermarkets are filled with a variety of New Year's decorations - garlands, tinsel and Christmas tree balls. For beauty, housewives sometimes take artificial snow, which can create an imitation of real snow on windows, a Christmas tree or New Year's crafts. Once I had the imprudence to buy such snow and almost threw out my artificial Christmas tree because of it.

Toxic smell

Immediately after I sprayed half the can, a toxic chemical smell spread throughout the apartment. After three hours of airing the rooms, nothing had changed - it was impossible to breathe in the apartment. Hoping that the smell would eventually disappear, she took the decorated tree out onto the loggia and opened the window. I was sure that in thirty-degree frost all chemical odors would definitely go away. How wrong I was! A day later, I practically cried when I went out onto the loggia - it, too, was saturated with this chemical snow.

After another day, I decided to wash the unfortunate Christmas tree in the bathroom. No sooner said than done. Having removed the garland, tinsel and New Year's toys, I washed each twig with powder, and when it was dry, I put it back and decorated it. And what do you think, the smell remains! Of course not as strong, but still...

Therefore, my advice to you is that before you decorate anything with snow from a can, first test it for smell. According to Associate Professor of the Department of Propaedeutics of Childhood Diseases, gastroenterologist Denis Fugol, those who are prone to allergies need to be especially careful.

If artificial snow releases toxic substances, then a child or adult with respiratory diseases and a tendency to allergies may experience irritation and bitterness in the throat, nasal congestion and sneezing, says the doctor. – If after you sprinkled artificial snow on the Christmas tree or other things, your household feels unwell, you need to remove this spray and ventilate the rooms. It is also advisable to consult a doctor.

Trust but check

According to the label, the artificial snow contains denatured alcohol, sodium benzoate, essence, water, resin, stearic acid and dimethyl ether. We asked specialists from the Center for Hygiene and Epidemiology in the Altai Territory to comment on how safe these substances are. As it turns out, they are all used in cosmetics and even products. And in moderation they are harmless to health. To understand whether the product in front of you is safe, experts advise asking the seller for a quality certificate. Its presence indicates that the product has passed the necessary studies.

However, if you are prone to allergies, check to see if there is a substance in the composition that could harm you, the center’s specialists advise.

Money

A can of artificial snow in Barnaul costs from 50 to 150 rubles.

KP hint

How to make artificial snow yourself

Artificial snow can also be made at home. To do this you will need: 2 boxes of cornmeal (starch), shaving cream, glitter (mica) and mint extract. First, mix shaving cream and starch in a container, then add a few drops of mint extract, and at the very end - glitter.

You can also take: a can of shaving foam, 1.5 packs of soda, glitter. Squeeze the entire can of foam into the container, gradually add baking soda and mix. This snow feels very soft, cool, smells of frost and freshness.