How to Make Invisible Ink

Write a secret message with invisible ink using these simple household items.

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Teach your children technical skills and science in fun ways with the tech and science projects in this Howcast video series.

 
 

You Will Need

  • Lemon juice
  • A bowl
  • A cotton swab
  • White paper
  • A light source with a 100-watt light bulb
  • Milk (optional)
  • Vinegar (optional)
  • Orange juice (optional)
  • Paintbrush (optional)
  • Toothpick (optional)

Steps

  1. Step 1

    Put lemon juice in bowl

    Put the lemon juice in a bowl and dip your cotton swab in the lemon juice.

  2. Using milk, vinegar, or orange juice instead of lemon juice will have the same effect.

  3. Step 2

    Write your message

    Write your secret message on the paper with your cotton swab and let the writing dry completely. The message will be invisible when the message dries.

  4. You can use a paintbrush or a toothpick instead of a cotton swab.

  5. Step 3

    Heat the paper

    Hold the paper near the light bulb to expose it to the heat, but don’t rest the paper on the bulb.

  6. Step 4

    Message appears

    Watch in amazement as the message magically appears. The words will appear in a tan or brown color.

  7. Did you know? Arizona and California produce 95 percent of the U.S. lemon crop.

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