You can safely wash the balls with dish-washing detergent or soap as this will get rid of the oil that seeps to the surface. It may take a couple of washes.  Avoid using strong solvents as they may permanently damage your AOK ball – mediBall, Duraball, Max Ball and Classic Ball. It also applies to our medicine balls, massage balls, Cyclone Balls, Pilates Ball and Duradisc.

We use lemon and citronella oils as they are accepted by hospitals for their natural anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. We recommend cleaning the balls regularly with an emulsion of lemon (you can use pine or eucalyptus) oil and water in the ratio 1 part oil to 30 parts water.

This oil blend has not changed for 15 years although in production the last balls in a batch tend to have a slightly higher oil content. This leads to slight variations in the strength of the scent.

In cooler climates where your ball is inflated in an enclosed space with central heating you will accelerate the oil moving to the ball surface and the scent will be quite strong.  This is particularly apparent in the northern hemisphere (North America and Northern Europe) where ambient room temperatures are high and fresh air circulation low.  If the scent bothers you simply give the ball a good wash and allow as much fresh air ventilation as possible over the first few days.

Wikipedia Definitions

Citronella oil is one of the essential oils obtained from the leaves and stems of different species of Cymbopogon. The oil is used extensively as a source of perfumery chemicals and flavouring industries throughout the world.

Citronella oil is also a renowned plant-based insect repellent, and has been registered for this use in the United States since 1948. The United States Environmental Protection Agency‎ considers oil of citronella as a biopesticide with a non-toxic mode of action. Research also shows that citronella oil has strong antifungal properties.

Lemon oil is commonly used to deodorize, remove grease, bleach stain, and disinfect.  Its antibacterial uses because it has a low pH.  Researchers at Ohio State University reveals that lemon oil aroma may enhance your mood, and relax you.

Phthalates are a group chemicals used in the manufacture of flexible/elastic  PVC  products such as Swiss Balls and clear plastic tubing (such as used in medical devices). Over recent years there has been growing concern about the health implications of injesting Phthalates and more recently about proximal contact with products containing Phthalates.

The Australian Government and the European Union have legislated to limit the amount of the single most common Phthalate (DEHP) in any product to 10%.

AOK products after rigorous testing and product development are now classed as Phthalate Free.  Independent tests for the 7 most key Phthalates  show that our product to contain less than 0.1% in total – In fact they could not be detected at all in most tests.

This keeps well and truly ahead of the European requirements and of the Australian requirement of a limit of only 10% DEHP.  It also complies completely with the strictest piece of legislation in the world – the California Proposition 65 (which has banned over 550 chemicals).

AOK truly leads the way in the best swiss balls (mediball, duraball & Maxball) and exercise products in the world.

Evidence Now In

The risks of exposure to various classes of phthalates (plastic softeners used to make PVC soft and elastic) have been recognised for many years. Recently however a fuller understanding has been gained through various international research programs.  Studies by the University of Rochester Medical Center and the Mount Sinai Children’s Medical Health Center have shown various links to poor health outcomes as a result of phthalate exposure.

The primary risk is through injestion by chewing plastics directly or by eating food stuffs stored or processed in contact with plastics.  However while the risk of exposure via exercise products would appear to be low, users such as children or pregnant women should avoid using products containing phthalates until more research is completed.

AOK philosophy is to supply the highest quality and safest products available.  At the time of this publication we are aware of no other swiss or exercise ball manufacturer who does not use phthalates in their products. This is particularly true of Chinese manufactured balls.

For additional information regarding phthalates you should with Australia’s leading authorities – the Vinyl Association and the Phthalate Information Association.

For other safety tips you should visit www.mediball.com