Q&A for How to Make Glow Sticks Glow Again

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Question

How do I make a glow stick light up?

Community Answer

Grab it and bend it until you hear a cracking noise and see it light up.

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Question

Does this work if the glow sticks have already stopped working?

Community Answer

Only if there are untainted remnants of both chemicals.

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Question

My son ate the stuff inside a glow stick. Is that dangerous?

Community Answer

Yes. You should take your son to the hospital immediately.

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Question

How long should I put the glow stick in the freezer for?

Community Answer

Try keeping it in there overnight. It has to be long enough for the glass to harden back up and be able to break again.

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Question

Where can I get free glow sticks?

Community Answer

You can get them from parties or discos when other people hand them out for free. You'll need an invitation though!

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Question

Can I make a glow stick glow forever?

Community Answer

No, you cannot.

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Question

How can I make a glow stick glow again?

Community Answer

You can't really. Once the chemicals have left the glow stick, you will not be able to make it glow again.

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Question

What if I cracked it up already but don't want them to glow for at least another month?

Community Answer

You can just put in the freezer overnight.

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Question

What will happen if I put a glow stick in a hot place instead of cold?

Beau Levens (MuchLuv_BL)

Community Answer

The glowing of the glow stick will appear brighter due to a faster reaction inside the glow stick. If you put it in a cold place, then the reaction will slow down, resulting in a longer-lasting glow.

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Question

I had kept glow sticks for 3 years. I tried one today and it's not lighting up. Can I still do anything about it?

Community Answer

Yes; put them in the freezer and follow the steps in the article.

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Question

Can I put them in ice water instead of inside the freezer?

Community Answer

Yes, it should work as long as the whole glow stick is submerged and the water is as cold as possible.

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Question

How long do I keep glow sticks in the freezer for?

Community Answer

Keep the glow stick in the freezer all night, or for 8-10 hours.

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Question

Can a glow stick explode if I cut it open and put the liquid goop in water?

Beau Levens (MuchLuv_BL)

Community Answer

There shouldn't be any pressure on the glowstick, so it is totally safe to cut it open (though I'd advise you to wear gloves so you don't get any of the fluid on your skin).

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Question

Why does a glow stick stop glowing?

Beau Levens (MuchLuv_BL)

Community Answer

if it stops glowing, this means that all of the chemicals in the glow stick have fully reacted.

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Question

Can I put glow sticks in the freezer without a plastic bag?

Community Answer

Yes, but it's highly recommended that you use the plastic bag in case of leakage or explosion.

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Question

Where do I get glow sticks?

Community Answer

Commonly at the dollar store or a party store. Hardware stores also commonly carry them.

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Question

Is there a way to make a glow stick last forever?

Community Answer

No. Once the chemicals creating the glow have fully reacted, the glow stops.

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Question

If I cut a glow stick open and stick a necklace in the stuff inside, will the necklace glow?

Beau Levens (MuchLuv_BL)

Community Answer

No, as a glowstick is made of a plastic casing containing chemical 1 and a glass ampoule containing chemical 2. Once you cut open the plastic container, 1 chemical will leak out and this one won't react until it comes in contact with chemical 2. And even if you wanted to make a glowing necklace out of the stuff made for a glowstick, it wont last all that long.

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Question

What do I do if I crack my glow stick and there's no light?

Beau Levens (MuchLuv_BL)

Community Answer

its either missing a crucial component for a glowstick or it just doesnt work anymore (most likely because all the chemicals already reacted).

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Question

Do I need to crack a glow stick gently so it can work?

Community Answer

Crack is gently so that it doesn't break and make a mess.

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Question

How do you dispose of glowsticks?

Community Answer

If the glowstick is open, seal it in a Ziplock (resealable) bag and then dispose of it in your usual garbage. If unused, donate to someone who'd like to use them.

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Question

How long will a glow stick stay activated in a freezer?

Bacon_hair8535 Noob

Top Answerer

Glow Sticks glow from 4 to 24 hours depending on the product type, brand, color and temperature of the environment they are being used in. Typically, the smaller the glow stick, the shorter the glow duration due to the amount of chemical glow used inside the glow stick.

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