The luminescent water creates, in a dark room, an atmosphere of mystery as if it were illuminated by neon lights, without however bearing the costs of electricity or the neon lamps themselves. With just a few ingredients, some of which may already be in your possession, you can create luminescent water in a few minutes. Learn these simple "recipes" to add a "special touch" to your next Halloween party or party.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: With Tonic Water
Step 1. Pour some tonic water into a transparent container
Believe it or not, this simple soda glows under black light, quite bright. To achieve this effect, start by pouring the tonic water into a container through which you can see it. You can use pure or slightly diluted tonic water with regular water; however, the greater the dilution, the less luminous the water will be.
You can find tonic water in almost all supermarkets and grocery stores at an affordable cost. Make sure it's tonic and Not of carbonated or sparkling water. The label should read "with quinine" or something similar.
Step 2. Turn on a Wood lamp over the tonic water
All you need to make the drink shine is to light it up with a black lamp. Remember to dim the lights in the room before proceeding, otherwise you will not be able to perceive this beautiful effect.
You can find black lamps in specialty party stores or online. The price often varies according to the size and power of the bulb itself; on average, the basic models are around 15-20 euros
Step 3. You don't have to worry if you want to drink tonic water
Making the tonic shine with black light makes it very strange, but certainly not poisonous, radioactive or dangerous in any way. However, this drink, like many others, is high in sugar and calories, so enjoy it in moderation.
The effect is caused by small chemical components, called "phosphors", dissolved in the liquid. When ultraviolet light hits them (such as that coming from Wood's lamp and which humans cannot see), it is transformed into a wavelength light that the human eye is able to perceive and generates fluorescence
Method 2 of 4: With Highlighters
Step 1. Purchase some highlighters and verify they are fluorescent
Not all of these products glow in the dark when illuminated with a black light. First, then, draw some marks on a white sheet and light them with Wood's lamp to check their reaction.
- You can use highlighters of all colors, even if yellow is the one that produces the best effect.
- Highlighters of any brand are fine, but you can also use markers with “neon” colors, although they are not really highlighters.
- It is easier to check for fluorescence if you test in a dark room with no light pollution.
Step 2. Fill a clear container with water
The tonic is not the only one that contains light reactive phosphors; good old highlighters work just as well. First, fill a clear jar with water.
Keep in mind that this method will ruin the markers, which will no longer be able to write
Step 3. Remove the core with the ink that is inside the highlighter
If you just put the marker in water, the ink will not spread very quickly through the felt tip. For this reason, remove the entire cartridge to speed up the process. To do it:
- Remove the highlighter cap.
- Use a pair of pliers (or your hands if you don't mind getting them dirty) to remove the felt tip.
- With pliers, pry to remove the base of the marker.
- Carefully remove the ink cartridge taking care not to dirty clothing and surrounding surfaces.
Step 4. Put the felt tip and the cartridge in the jar with water
Pour any ink residue that has also spilled into the pen body. This way the color should dissolve in the water, dyeing it. If necessary, cut or break the cartridge to release the ink. Mix the water well to mix the ingredients.
If you wish, you can leave the cartridge and felt in the water while you mix, or you can take them out; it just depends on you
Step 5. Turn on a black light above the water
Just like tonic water, a dark room and a Wood lamp will make the ink shine and therefore the water. If you want, you can also tape a flashlight under the jar to create a colored light (in this case you will lose the "fluorescent" effect guaranteed by the black lamp).
Unlike tonic water, this blend Not it is safe to drink.
Method 3 of 4: With the Fluorescent Paint
Step 1. Get some fluorescent paint at a fine art store
You can choose a tempera or a water-based paint, so you can dilute them in water. You can also buy a shiny product to add a special touch.
Just like with highlighters, here too you can choose the color you prefer, but be aware that lemon yellow or acid green are the ones that create the best effect
Step 2. Pour the paint into a cup of water
To maximize the effect, try to use as much paint as possible. For 240ml of water, you should add several tablespoons of color.
Step 3. Mix the ingredients carefully
Use a paint stick or similar tool, but not a cooking spoon. Check that the paint has dissolved well in the water before continuing.
- If the water is hot or lukewarm, the paint dilutes more quickly.
- If you let the mixture rest for too long, the color will settle and separate from the water. Prepare the fluorescent water to use as soon as you have finished mixing.
Step 4. Check the water
Turn off all the lights in the room and turn on a Wood lamp above the jar. Be very careful when handling this type of fluorescent water, as it contains paint that could irreversibly stain fabrics.
This blend Not you have to drink.
Method 4 of 4: With the Fluorescent Sticks
Step 1. Fill a container with water and get the material
For this method, you need water, fluorescent sticks, and other commonly used ingredients that don't need black light to shine. As with the previous methods, start by filling a clear container, such as a bottle or jar, with plain water. You will need a few more items before you are ready:
- One or more fluorescent sticks.
- Scissors.
- Dish soap.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
- Waterproof gloves.
Step 2. Break the sticks
Grab each stick by locating the vial contained in it and fold it until you feel a clear "crack". The tube should immediately begin to glow; the effect is best noticeable in the dark. Repeat this process for all sticks in your possession. The more you have, the more luminescent the water will be.
- Fluorescent sticks are available in stores specializing in party supplies and also in supermarkets (especially around Halloween). They are quite cheap, a pack of 100 pieces rarely exceeds 15 euros.
- Try to get the largest sticks you can, so the water will be even brighter.
Step 3. Pour the contents of the sticks into the water
Wear gloves, and carefully cut the tip of each stick to transfer the contents into the liquid. Mix the two ingredients to make a blend.
Be very careful, remember that in each stick there are glass fragments
Step 4. Add hydrogen peroxide and dish soap (optional)
Now the water should be luminescent, but with some other ingredients you can improve its effect. Measure a couple of caps of hydrogen peroxide and pour it into the water, and finally sprinkle about 2 ml of normal dish soap.
The ingredients that make up the fluorescent liquid of the sticks are diphenyl oxalate (in the plastic tube) and hydrogen peroxide (in the glass vial). When you break the latter, the two elements combine to produce light. For this reason, the addition of more hydrogen peroxide makes the reaction even more intense. Dish soap contains ingredients that reduce the surface tension of the water, thus allowing the hydrogen peroxide and diphenyl oxalate to blend better
Step 5. Shake the mixture and enjoy the effect
Once finished, seal the container and shake it (or mix it) to make sure the mixture is homogeneous. The water will shine with or without black light (although this will greatly increase the effect).
This blend Not you have to drink.
Advice
- Luminescent water is a beautiful decoration for evening parties. Pour it into jars, vases and glasses or any transparent container, and place these in various places in the house or garden to pleasantly surprise guests.
- You can also use fluorescent water in the bathtub. Prepare a bath with a mixture of non-toxic tonic water or paint and hot water. Turn on Wood's lamp and turn off all other lights for a brilliant experience. It is a very fun game for children even if, if you use paint, you have to carefully check that they do not drink the water.
- You can even organize a fluorescent water balloon battle! Fill the balloons with luminescent water and make them fly! For this game, use the stick method and chase yourself with friends in the garden, in the evening, for a typical August 15th battle. Be careful that the water does not enter your mouth or eyes.
- If it has snowed, you can create fluorescent water to write on the white coat. Place the mixture in the refrigerator to prevent the snow from melting on first contact and then pour it into spray bottles. Take them outside and pour water on the snow to create writings and drawings. This is also a fantastic idea to entertain children in the evening.
