How To Make Glowing Water Without A Black Light

Making glowing water is entertaining and safe. Exposing fluorescent-dyed water to ultraviolet light creates a bright and luminescent glow. Use a light-emitting diode (LED) to produce a similar glowing effect without an ultraviolet light, which otherwise is known as a black light. The electromagnetic spectrum for frequency and wavelength moves in descending order from ultraviolet to violet to blue. Apply a blue or purple LED light to a glass of fluorescent-dyed water to make it glow without a black light.

Step 1

Put on latex gloves.

Step 2

Remove a fluorescent highlighter pen's interior plastic tube that is filled with fluorescent-dyed cotton. Pop off the pen's bottom to access the tube.

Step 3

Catch water in a clear glass jar from a slowly dripping faucet.

Step 4

Hold the plastic tube from the pen underneath the faucet's dripping water so the water seeps through the fluorescent-dyed cotton and into the glass jar.

Step 5

Squeeze and knead the plastic tube until all of the dye releases from the cotton into the jar.

Step 6

Remove the tube's plastic casing to expose the cotton, allowing the water to rinse away all the remaining dye.

Step 7

Hold the jar containing fluorescent-dyed water in front of a light-up LED key ring or other item with a blue LED light source as you squeeze its blue LED light. The water will glow. A light-up "ice cube" or simple nightlight with a blue LED light are options to using a light-up LED key ring. The blue light from a projector works very well as the light source for this project.