The light in a glow stick is caused by a reaction between two chemicals. One is kept inside a glass tube. Cracking the tube breaks the glass and lets the chemicals mix and react. [1] X Research source Be gentle. Cracking too hard will break the glow stick and spill glass and goo that can irritate the skin.
Setting your freezer to a colder setting may help as well. Before you do this, be aware that this can cause excessive ice buildup or freeze liquids in an attached refrigerator
Some brands will be quite bright, while others will just stay at the same dim level, but last longer. There’s no way to tell what will happen without experimenting. Keep it in the plastic bag while you shake it, just in case it breaks. It can take a little while for the glow stick to warm up and glow again.
If a glow stick “died” more than a day ago, this will have little to no effect. Once it’s used up, it’s used up.
You can use a mug instead. There’s a risk of melting the glow stick, so don’t use a nice mug.
The glow stick plastic will melt if the water is too hot. Some brands can withstand boiling water (100ºC / 212ºF), while others may melt in water above 70ºC (158ºF). If using a mug, wait ten minutes for boiling water.
Do not put your face over the jar. The glow stick is unlikely to explode, but it’s best to be safe and sound. If the glow stick melts, seal the jar in a plastic bag and throw it away. These materials cannot be recycled, and the jar should not be used again. You should throw away the jar to be safe.
