✨ The Science Behind the Magic: How Our Glow-in-the-Dark Blankets Actually Work

Glow-in-the-dark blankets might feel like magic, well to your kids anyway, especially when your little one’s face lights up at bedtime — but there’s some very cool science behind the glow. If you’ve ever wondered how our Glowee blankets glow, how to make them brighter, or whether they’re safe for kids, this blog has you covered. We have tried our best to summarise this and keep it short and sweet!

🌟 So… How Do They Glow?

At the heart of every Glowee blanket is a special phosphorescent material that is woven into the pattern on the blanket — that’s a fancy word for a pigmented material that absorbs light energy and slowly releases it as a soft, magical glow.

Here’s the simple version:

• During the day or under a bright light, the glow-in-the-dark pattern on the blanket “charges up.”
• Once the lights go out, the stored energy is slowly released as a gentle glow — just enough to make bedtime feel special.
• To supercharge the brightness and make the glow last longer checkout our Glowee Torch which has been made just for our blankets.

No batteries. No cords. Just clever science and a sprinkle of Glowee magic.

🔦 How Do You “Charge” It?

The blanket charges best under natural sunlight or a bright artificial light — like an overhead light, desk lamp, or even a torch. A quick tip: the stronger the light, the better the glow.

·        Leave the blanket draped over the bed or couch during the day in a nice sunny spot in your home. This will give it a nice soft glow for 4-6 hours. The UV light from the sun is the best to use, yet between sun down and bed time the blanket may lose some efficacy.

• Another option is to leave it under bright lights in your home for at least 30 minutes to an hour before bed time. Bright light is quite subjective to the person, so as a measurement, 200 LUX or higher should be aimed for (you can download semi-accurate LUX readers on your Apple or Samsung device).
• By far the best way to SUPERCHARGE the glow is to pair the Glowee blanket with a Glowee torch and wave this over the blanket for a few minutes before bed. HINT: kids go wild for this, it’s a guaranteed trick to get them into the bedroom easy for bed time.

The more the blanket is used and exposed to light, the easier it will absorb light and the brighter it will become. By no means is this a replacement for a bedside lamp, but once your eyes adjust to the dark it is such a pleasant addition to kids beds.

⏳ How Long Does the Glow Last?

Once you have charged, the glow can last for a few minutes to several hours, gradually fading overnight. It will give in glow what effort you put in to charge it. If it is in a closet all day and you charge it for 5 minutes under a single incandescent bulb, well you get the picture.

It’s designed to be just bright enough to comfort kids at night, without keeping them awake.

 

✅ Are Glowee Blankets Safe?

Absolutely. Our blankets are made with kid-safe materials. The glow-in-the-dark pigment is securely woven into the foundation of the blanket and will never wash out, meaning your blanket will glow night after night with the right care.

Plus, they’re soft, snuggly, and perfect for sensitive skin.

🧼 Caring for the Glow

To keep the magic going:

• Machine wash cold on a gentle cycle
• Avoid harsh chemicals or bleach
• Air dry or tumble dry on low

Proper care helps preserve both the glow and the feel of the fabric.

💫 The Bottom Line

Imagine the most cuddliest blanket your child owns… Now combine that with a super cute pattern that captivates kids imaginations, and a cool glow-in-the-dark pattern and then you have arrived at the Glowee blanket.

Glowee combines comfort, imagination, and science to bring bedtime to life. They’re not just cozy, they spark wonder, create routines kids love, and make bed time something to look forward to.

Whether your child is scared of the dark or just loves all things that glow, a Glowee blanket is more than just bedding — it’s an experience.

 

⭐ Here’s what our customers are saying

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"This blanket is sooo soft and cuddly. It has a gorgeous print on it and glows in the dark! My daughter loves it and it really makes bedtime fun for her!
— Serene K., VIC

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"We brought the Glowee blanket on a camping trip and it was such a hit! The glow lasted most of the night and helped my son feel safe in the tent. Super soft too."
— Jack R., QLD

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"Beautiful quality and such a fun concept. My twins use their torches to ‘charge up’ the blanket each night. It’s become part of our nightly routine."
— Sarah T., NSW

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
"My 6 y.o loves his new blanket. It's soft and warm. It's heavy enough but not too heavy. Plus he loves watching it glow. The price is good too.”
— Amand J., VIC

 

Authors: Bianca Grapsas & Lauren Axiotis.

Bianca and Lauren are Co-Owners of Glowee and the pioneers of glow in the dark products for kids.