How to Recharge Glow Sticks

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Things You'll Need

  • Glow stick

  • Freezer

  • Burner and pot

During festivals, night clubs or parties on the beach, the glow stick can help enhance the party atmosphere. By a process called chemiluminescence, when the glow stick is cracked, the ingredients composed of hydrogen, peroxide, water, sodium carbonate and copper sulfate pentahydrate mix to create a neon glowing light. Glow sticks come in a variety of colors and tubes. Recharging a glow stick is often confused with simply extending the life of the glow stick. There is no way to recharge the stick. Once the chemical reaction is complete, the stick will no longer illuminate. There is, however, a method for slowing the chemical reaction.

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Step 1

Crack the glow stick in multiple places to create the chemical reaction necessary to illuminate the stick.

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Step 2

Shake the stick as if shaking a bottle in quick, abrupt, up and down movements. This will complete the chemical reaction mixture. Depending on the glow stick, it can last anywhere from 4 to 12 hours.

Step 3

Prolong the life of your glow stick by putting it in the freezer. This will slow down the chemical reaction so that you can use the glow stick again later.

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Step 4

Pull out the glow stick when you are ready to use and crack and shake again to reignite the chemical reaction.

Step 5

Boil the glow stick in hot water for 30 seconds to intensify the reaction and hence the glow. Glow sticks will become more illuminated in heat and duller in cold temperature.

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