As much as you love your home, lately, you may have been feeling a little bored with the same old walls and furniture. You need a change — and fast. Unfortunately, renovations are expensive and last long. So instead, why don’t you try bringing a touch of magic into your old home with glow in the dark wall stickers?
You may not think that there is much to say about luminescent stickers, but surprisingly, there is. In fact, before you purchase one, you should know precisely what you’re getting, how it works, and what to expect. This in-depth guide on glow in the dark stickers contains all of that, and so much more. So without further ado, let’s get started!
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What Are Glow in the Dark Stickers?
You probably already know what wall stickers are — small pictures you put on your walls to give your home a bit more character. Glow in the dark stickers are exactly the same, except that they also glow at night. But how in the world do they do that?
Well, these stickers are infused with phosphors, which absorb radiant energy and later emit it in the dark. Thanks to that, they can transform your ordinary white wall or ceiling into a magical fairy kingdom or a starry night sky.
How Do Glow in the Dark Stickers Work?
As mentioned before, glow in the dark stickers need to be exposed to radiant energy — or more precisely, to UV light. Now, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to buy a special UV lamp; you can, but it’s not necessary. All you need to do is let your stickers sit in the sun, which is a constant source of UV radiation.
It’s quite simple, isn’t it? When you first buy your stickers, simply leave them out in direct sunlight, and they’ll charge. Then, put them on the surface that you want to decorate, and when the night comes, you’ll bask in a soft glow.
But you obviously can’t peel them off and stick them on over and over again. So, how do you make sure that the stickers get enough sunlight even when they’re indoors?
The simplest answer would be to put them in a bright room with lots of windows. But if that’s impossible, you might have to invest in a UV lamp after all.
And remember — the longer you leave the stickers exposed to sunlight, the longer they will glow. So make sure to let them absorb the light for a few hours, but don’t overdo it. Charging them for around four hours should be enough to get a good glow.
The Most Common Shapes
A few decades ago, when glow in the dark stickers first appeared, the only available shapes were stars and planets. These stickers had only a faint yellowish glow, but they still brought joy to thousands of children across the globe.
Nowadays, the design selection is much wider — you can buy birds, lamps, butterflies, letters, and animals. In fact, many online shops offer customization options, so you can choose the color and the shape of your glow in the dark sticker. On top of that, the glow is nowhere near as faint as before!
But despite this variety, stars, constellations, and planets remain the most common and rather popular. They are brighter and more colorful than their 20th-century counterparts, but the shapes and styles haven’t changed much. There’s nothing wrong with that, though — sometimes, it’s best to stick to the tried-and-true designs.
The Best Glow in the Dark Stickers in 2020
1. HORIECHALY Glow in the Dark Stars
If you want a full night sky experience, HORIECHALY’s stickers are a perfect choice. Along with 221 stars, you’ll also get a 9.8-inch full moon that will watch over you or your children as you sleep. All of the stickers have a light green glow and gently illuminate the room. It’s just bright enough to see, but not to wake you up.
These stickers are made of waterproof and pressure-resistant PVC and paper. Thus, they are perfectly easy to handle without worrying that they might get damaged. Also, feel free to put them in your children’s room — the material is non-toxic and completely safe to touch.
The glowing stars and the moon easily adhere to all kinds of surfaces — glass, wall, furniture, or anything else that is flat. You can stick a few onto your light switch so that you can quickly find it in the dark. Remember to let the stars charge during the day, though — at the very least, leave the curtains open for the sunlight to stream in.
Most customers are quite impressed with these stickers overall. However, some claim that the moon design fades a bit too quickly. Still, the sticker itself won’t lose its luminescence even after the design is gone, so you can keep using it.
- 🌛Create Your Own Shining Galaxy:442 high quality...
- 🌛Easy to Peel and Apply: These high-quality adhesive...
- 🌛Perfect Design for Decorations: We provide...
- 🌛100% SAFETY MATERIAL - Waterproof vinyl, Non-Toxic,...
2. HONEYJOY Glow in the Dark Stickers for Kids
Stars and the moon are great, but you can go a step further. Create a whole magical space kingdom above your kid’s bed with HONEYJOY’s stickers! Aside from the stars, planets, and comets, this package comes with a unicorn, a fairy sitting on the moon, and a castle in the clouds. Isn’t that exactly what dreams are made of?
These stickers never look dull — during the day, they are colorful and bright, while at night, they emit an enchanting green glow. They’re simply a perfect addition to every child’s bedroom and are bound to help them drift off to sleep filled with pleasant dreams.
HONEYJOY’s decals are a wonderful birthday present too — after all, which kid wouldn’t like to get 194 beautiful glowing stickers? The best part is that you don’t even have to wrap or repack them. The stickers come in stylish packaging with charming illustrations, perfect for birthday presents.
Customers are happy with the cute design and strong adhesive properties. The stickers’ durability and luminosity also get a lot of praise — they deliver on their promise and glow quite visibly in the dark.
- GLOW IN THE DARK STARS - Multiple styles you can match...
- WALL DECALS FOR GIRLS BEDROOM - 194 PCS stickers bring...
- IDEAL GIFT FOR KIDS - GIFT BAG PACKING : Our wall...
- EASY TO USE & TEAR OFF: Paste the glow ceiling stars...
3. Malkan Signs Butterfly Wall Decals
Butterfly stickers are great for children’s rooms, but they can also add a touch of fun and color to other parts of the house. And Malkan Signs butterfly stickers are so beautiful that you’ll want to plaster them all over your home!
Unlike the stickers I mentioned so far, these ones have three layers, which create a 3D look. They’re made of PVC and crafted with care and precision, so their design and color are bound to impress you. What’s more, the gentle glow they emit in the dark will transform your ordinary room into an enchanted paradise.
These butterflies come with some pretty strong glue on their backs — so strong, in fact, that they’ll stay on your walls for years. You can put them on all kinds of flat surfaces — doors, tables, and glass. And when you remove them, they won’t leave behind stains or chip the surface.
- 3D WALL ART: Set of 8 butterfly stickers;...
- GLOW IN THE DARK: Luminous wall art stickers; These 3D...
- UNIQUE AND SUPERIOR QUALITY: Our butterfly decor set is...
- EXTRA STRONG ADHESIVE: We made sure our 3D wall...
4. POPIGIST Luminous Light Switch Decals
If you don’t want to cover all your walls and ceilings with stickers but think that a few subtle ones would be nice, POPIGIST has got you covered. Its luminous decals have only two pieces that look best when put near a light switch. In fact, if you arrange the stickers properly, you can make them look like a cat that’s peeking from behind the switch!
If that still hasn’t convinced you to buy the sticker, here are a few more things you should know. POPIGIST’s decals are made of eco-friendly, non-toxic PVC that’s completely safe for both you and your children. The stickers adhere firmly to the surface thanks to the extra strong glue.
Even though they are small, their glow is powerful enough to illuminate the light switch, so you can easily find it in the dark. No more stumbling and groping around — let this adorable glowing cat guide you!
- Material: Eco-friendly PVC, Environmental protection...
- Can glow for some time after full illumination from...
- This little cat glows softly after the light is turned...
- Super cute cat pattern ,full of childlike fun ,great...
5. SALEMAR Glow in the Dark Moonlight Forest
When making this unique sticker, SALEMAR decided to combine the full moon with a forest filled with animals. As it turns out, this combination was quite a success, and it resulted in one of the most eye-catching decals on the market.
By day, this sticker shows a sun-kissed forest with silhouettes of a giraffe, elephant, and zebra. However, by night, when it starts glowing, you can clearly see that a large full moon is lurking in the background. SALEMAR’s sticker is bound to capture both your and your kids’ imagination.
Since this moonlit forest is quite big (around 11.8 inches), it will softly illuminate most of the room. That makes it perfect for children who are afraid of the dark. The light is less bright than that of a night lamp but still strong enough to make them feel safe.
And of course, the PVC the sticker is made of is eco-friendly, non-toxic, and waterproof. It’s simply a perfect addition to your home, no matter where you put it!
How to Apply Them to the Wall or Ceiling
In order to apply glow in the dark stickers, you don’t need any glue or special preparation. Typically, it’s enough to peel them off the paper they come with and stick them straight onto the area where you want them.
Then, carefully press the sticker to remove any air bubbles and creases. After that, you may grab a cloth and go over the decal once or twice — that way, you’ll ensure it has stuck firmly to the surface.
Though the process is as easy as can be, there are a few things to consider beforehand. For instance, don’t apply your glow in the dark stickers on freshly painted walls and ceilings. That doesn’t mean you should wait for only a day or two — in fact, I’d recommend you apply them only after two weeks have passed.
On top of that, the wall you’re applying them to should be dust- and grease-free. That will ensure that your stickers apply evenly and stay on for a long time. If you do everything correctly, they won’t fall even after a decade!
How Long Do the Stickers Last?
There is no universal expiration date for all glow in the dark stickers — some may lose their glow after a year or two, while others could last for a decade or more. It all depends on the brand you buy, so make sure to do proper research in advance. One thing is for sure, though — the glow will become weaker and weaker as the years pass.
When it comes to how long the glow lasts after charging, that also depends on the brand. In most cases, you can expect stickers to glow up to four hours. However, some brands may impress you, and their stickers may hold their glow for over 10 hours! Ultimately, read the customer reviews before purchase to make sure you’re getting the best product possible.
Can You Use Artificial Lights for Recharging?
Technically, you can use UV lights to recharge your glow in the dark stickers — especially if they are in a room that doesn’t get much sunlight. However, keep in mind that UV lights are often not as strong as sunlight. That may mean that your stickers will need more time to recharge, or that they won’t recharge at all. Either way, it’s best to rely on UV lights only when you have no other choice.
How to Peel Them Off
No matter how much you love your stickers, the time may come when you’ll want to take them off. Then you’ll face an important question — how do you do that without ruining the wall beneath?
Though many stickers nowadays are easy to peel off, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Here are a few techniques you can try:
Use Heat
Peeling the stickers off by lifting the corners and pulling them might be the first thing that comes to mind, but it’s not always effective. Pieces and gooey glue residue may remain stuck to the wall, and it can be difficult to pick them off. Therefore, grab a blow-dryer and start warming up the sticker to soften it and make it easier to remove.
But don’t apply too much heat — set the dryer to low or medium. Heat can damage your wall paint, and that’s something you definitely want to avoid. The same is true for moisture, in case you choose to use a clothes steamer instead of a blow-dryer.
Use Liquid
Liquids can help loosen up the adhesive, thus making sticker removal much easier. However, you need to be really careful — some liquids can seriously damage your paint and wall.
To prevent disasters, pour a bit of your chosen liquid on a towel and tap only the sticker, avoiding the surrounding area. You can also perform a test on a small, unnoticeable part of the wall to see how it reacts.
Here are some of the liquids you can try using:
- White vinegar
- A mix of hot water and dishwashing soap
- Fabric softener mixed with water
Before you use any of these liquids, make sure to find out what type of wall and paint they are appropriate for.
Use a Citrus-Based Residue Remover
If you’ve removed most of the sticker, but some parts are still stubbornly clinging to the wall, it’s time to grab a residue remover. Take a cotton swab and apply a bit of citrus-based product on the tip. Then, rub it over the sticker’s remains, avoiding the wall as much as you can.
When you finish, go over the area with a dry paper towel to remove any residue. Finally, take a slightly damp paper towel to wipe away any citrus remover that was left behind. And there you have it — your sticker should be entirely gone!
How to Make Your Own Glow in the Dark Stickers at Home
Though it’s easier to buy glow in the dark stickers, some creative souls out there opt to make them on their own. There are many reasons for that — saving money, inability to find the perfect shape, and of course, the fun of creating.
If you’re a DIY type of person, here’s some good news — these stickers are easy and fun to make. Pick any of the two methods you’ll see here, and your walls will be glowing in no time!
Method 1: Use Glow in the Dark Paint
This method is perhaps the easiest and quickest one to use. All you need is some regular stickers and glow in the dark paint. You can simply cover the stickers with the paint and let them dry and charge in the sun. After a few hours, stick them onto the wall, and you’re done!
Of course, you can make your own stickers instead. In that case, you’ll need some paper (plain or colored), glow in the dark paint, scissors, and an adhesive. Here is what you should do:
- Draw the shape of your choosing on the paper.
- Take the scissors and cut out the shape.
- Color the sticker with glow in the dark paint.
- Once the paint dries, put the adhesive on the back of the sticker.
- Place it on the wall.
You can even make your own glow in the dark paint, but read more about that in the link.
Method 2: Use Glow in the Dark Glue Sticks
Paper stickers can be quite lovely, but maybe you want yours to look more 3D — just like those old greenish-yellow stars. That may seem complicated to achieve, but with the right materials, it’s fairly simple.
Here is what you need:
- Glow in the dark glue sticks
- A glue gun
- A molding kit with shapes you wish to make
- A pair of scissors
- Some adhesive
Now that you have everything, do the following:
- Put a glue stick in the glue gun.
- Set its temperature to ‘high’ and wait for a few minutes.
- Take the molding kit and begin filling one of the shapes with glue.
- Be thorough and when you finish, hit the kit gently on your work surface to make sure the glue spreads out evenly.
- Wait for the glue to cool down.
- Take the now solid shape out and fix any mistakes using scissors.
- Put the adhesive onto the sticker and place it on the wall or ceiling.
And there you have it — in less than half an hour, you’ll get your glow in the dark stickers! If you’re more of a visual type and want to see exactly how it’s done, check out this video.
Conclusion
Whenever you feel like your home lacks some flair, but you don’t want to renovate, turn to glow in the dark stickers. They’re easy to apply, quick to recharge, and beautiful to look at. Plus, your kids will love them — and if you decide to make the stickers on your own, they may want to help. It can be a fun, bonding activity for the whole family!
