How to Reuse Glow Sticks

Glow sticks are a popular accessory used at parties to create a temporary, colourful source of light. Higher quality glow sticks are also used as an emergency lighting tool in camping and outdoor expeditions. They operate using a process called "chemicaluminesence," where a chemical reaction inside the stick produces light. Glow sticks only have a temporary glow life, but if your glow stick is still glowing and you want to save it for re-use at a later date, just follow these simple steps.

Things You'll Need

• Glow stick
• Freezer

Instructions

1. Put your glow stick in the freezer. Putting it in the freezer stops the chemical reaction from continuing.

2. Wait until the glow stick is completely frozen.

3. Take your glow stick out of the freezer when you want to re-use it. Snap the glow stick per the instructions originally given on the packet. Your glow stick will now continue to glow.

Tips & Warnings

• Put your glow stick in the freezer as soon as you have finished using it. The more "glow time" it has left when you put it in the freezer, the longer it will remain lit when you reuse it. If your glow stick has stopped glowing altogether, no amount of freezing will allow you to reuse it.

References

• The Glow Company UK: How Do Glow Sticks Work?