Glow sticks can be used for various things and are quite a fun tool to interact with. We have all come across a glow stick once in a while and interacted with it by breaking it in half and waving it.
A glow stick is a luminescent stick that produces light without using heat or a power source. The glow stick is made of different substances which emit light when combined. To use a glow stick or to activate it, you have to crack it, and it will start emitting light or glowing in different fluorescent colors.
But do you want to learn how to save glow sticks? If so, you are in the right place because I will present you with a few methods on how you can do it. So, let’s get started!
How to Save Glow Sticks
I learned that packing glow sticks as a part of your survival backpack is a productive choice since they do not take up much space, are simple to use, and come in handy. That’s why you should invest your time and learn how to save glow sticks.
It is logical to think that glow sticks do not last forever and have a particular lifespan since they don’t use an energy source or heat to produce light.
Like all tools with an expiration date, you can implement a few tricks and actions to prolong their lifespan or slow down the process of their wearing.
Learning the few tricks in this article will benefit you in the long run. These tips will save you the trouble, time, and money of buying multiple glow sticks and running out of them when you most need them, especially if you are venturing through a forest and it is nighttime.
Using these methods, you can extend their usage or reignite an already worn-down glow stick. First, you will have to understand that glow sticks have different lifespans. Glow sticks range from various brands of different grades, determining their lifespan.
Freezing method
If you want your glow sticks to have a prolonged lifespan and last longer, I think that you should try this method and implement it before you use them.
First, you want to place your glow sticks in a plastic bag and seal them shut to prevent them from sticking in the freezer. Next, place your glow sticks in the freezer and leave them there until you need them.
When you need to use them, take the glow sticks out of the freezer beforehand and let them defrost before using them. Using them while frozen may cause the glowsticks to break since they will be in a more solid form.
You can repeat this process by freezing them when you are not using them and then defrosting them for usage until they are no longer usable.
If you have an upcoming venture or trip, you do not have to defrost them immediately; you can pack them frozen in a thermoelectric cooler or any other container to delay the defrosting while simultaneously prolonging their lifespan.
Unused frozen glow sticks or glow sticks kept in a dimmed, unheated spot can last up to two years.
Read more: How to Light a Match Without the Box
Heat method
This is another possible method for saving glow sticks. The heat method is used to prolong the lifespan of the glow stick, but it also enhances its glow and emits much brighter and stronger light.
First, you will have to boil some water or heat it. You want to be careful because different glow sticks have different melting points.
After all, the outer shell of the stick is made of plastic, and you do not want your glow stick to break down and release the chemicals that are withheld inside and be exposed to them.
After you have heated some water, you can place it in any container where you will place your glow sticks and leave them there for a while.
My advice is that you should not leave them for more than a minute inside the container. After taking them out, you will notice that they will glow brighter with a more vibrant color. That effect will probably last between one and two hours.
Another method you can use to enhance their glow is to place them in a microwave but first put them in a protective container. Remember that you mustn’t keep them in a microwave for more than ten seconds.
Premium glow sticks
The third method I would recommend is to buy premium glow sticks or military-grade sticks. This method might be costly, but it sure is effective.
The pros of buying premium or military-grade glow sticks are that they have a much longer lifespan and glow intensity than regular glow sticks since they are made for tougher circumstances, are used for emergencies, and are presented as survival tools.
The premium glow sticks come with features that enable you to use them swiftly and effectively. Some glow sticks come with attachments so that you can place them on your belt or your backpack. This way, you don’t have to carry them around.
Premium glow sticks or military-grade sticks are commonly used for lighting up when night comes when starting a fire is impossible or to scare away wild animals.
Utilization
We can say that depending on what you will use the glow sticks for, you can determine what methods you can apply accordingly to the circumstances.
All information on saving the glow sticks can be used to avoid the nuisance of running out of light when you most need it.
Spending a little extra money on a premium-grade glow stick or taking the time of your day to put them in the freezer will ensure you will have a pleasant experience using the glow sticks and squeeze out every bit of glow they offer.
Also read: How to Make a Trappers Pack Basket
Conclusion
Well, I hope you have learned the possible methods on how to save glow sticks because they have many different uses.
You can use them for aesthetics at a party or a concert, you can use them as a decoration at night, or you can use them as a survival tool to light up certain areas in different circumstances when night falls.