Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Make a glow stick glow for longer
• Method 2 of 2: Let a glow stick burn briefly and brightly
• Necessities

Glowsticks only last a short time, and there is only one way to make them glow for longer. This works better with some brands and not at all if you are unlucky. However, it is easy to do and you can figure out how glow sticks work while trying this.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Make a glow stick glow for longer

1. Look for a last bit of light. Kink the glow stick wherever possible. If you don't see any light at all, then your glow stick is completely empty and cannot be reactivated. If you have a little bit of light then you have something to work with, even if it's just a few small spots.
   • A glow stick gives off light because of a reaction between two chemicals. One substance is contained in a glass tube. By kinking the tube, the glass breaks and the chemicals mix together, causing a reaction.
   • Be careful. If you kink the tube too hard, the glow stick will break and glass and debris will end up all over the place that can irritate the skin.
2. Put the glow stick in a plastic bag. Place the glow stick in a resealable plastic bag. Push all the air out of the bag and then close it. The chance that the glowstick will break with this method is small, but if it does, you can easily throw it away through the plastic bag.
3. Place the glow stick in the freezer. For best results, place it under a frozen object with little weight. The liquids in the glow stick now freeze so that they no longer react with each other.
   • It may also help to set your freezer to a colder setting. Before doing this, however, know that a colder setting can create a lot of ice in your freezer and that liquids in your fridge can freeze if you have a fridge freezer.
4. Remove the glow stick from the freezer and shake it. After an hour, check the glowstick and shake and kink it. If that doesn't work, put it in the freezer overnight and try again the next day. With most brands of glow sticks, you can ensure that they glow a little longer by letting the liquids in the tubes melt and re-come into contact with each other.
   • Some brands give quite bright light, while other brands give soft light all the time, but last longer. You cannot say what is happening without experimenting.
   • Leave the glow stick in the plastic bag while you shake it, in case it breaks.
   • It may take a while for the glowstick to heat up and glow again.

Method 2 of 2: Let a glow stick burn briefly and brightly

1. Heat up a pan of water. Heat the water until it starts to steam or simmer. Heat speeds up the chemical reaction that causes the light. By heating the glow stick you can ensure that it burns brightly for a short time, sometimes for half an hour.
   • If a glow stick has stopped giving light more than a day ago, this will have little or no effect. When a glow stick has run out, there is nothing you can do.
2. Pour the water into a tall glass. A sturdy pot can withstand the heat better than a glass. Find a glass or jar that is large enough to insert the glow stick almost all the way in.
   • You can also use a mug. There is a risk of the glow stick melting, so don't use your prettiest mug.
3. Let the water cool down (recommended). When the water has boiled, wait at least five minutes for it to cool. If only steam came from the water, you can continue immediately or wait about a minute.
   • The glow stick's plastic melts when the water is too hot. Some brands can withstand boiling water, but others can melt if the water is over 70 ° C.
   • If using a mug, wait ten minutes when the water is boiling hot.
4. Put the glow stick in the water. Leave it in the water for thirty seconds and then take it out with pliers or rubber gloves. If there is still enough material in the glow stick, it should give a bright light for a short time.
   • Don't keep your face over the pot. The chance that the glowstick will snap is small, but you better be safe than sorry.
   • If the glowstick melts, put it in a plastic bag with the jar and throw it away. These materials cannot be recycled and it is better not to reuse the pot. Just throw the jar away.

Necessities

• Glowstick
• Freezer