I love my Himalayan salt lamp, but how do I look after it?
Salt lamps are such a beautiful addition to any home, office or workplace, with their soothing, warm, soft glow. Everything needs a bit of care and we’ve compiled a few care hints and tips here so that you can enjoy your gorgeous salt lamps for many years to come.
Do I need to dust it?
Not really! However, if you think your rock salt lamp may be a bit dusty or dirty, switch off at the power source, remove the cord and globe, then moisten a cloth (wring out completely) and wipe the dust off the lamp.
For heavy, ground in dirt, you can use a scourer (this won’t hurt the lamp); allow the lamp to dry either in sunlight (inside) or by replacing the cord and globe, and then switching on the lamp.
Leaking salt lamp
Why is my salt lamp ‘leaking’? I’ve turned it off because it’s leaking ….
Oh dear – it’s ‘leaking’ because it’s been switched off!
As salt is hygroscopic, it absorbs moisture from the air and if you switch your crystal salt lamp off, particularly in humid or wet conditions, the moisture that has been attracted to your salt lamp will start ‘leaking’ or ‘dripping’ as there is no warmth from the globe to evaporate the moisture that has been attracted to the rock salt. This ‘leaking’ or ‘dripping’ will crystallise at the base of the salt lamp and often onto the surface it is sitting on.
If you live in extremely humid or wet conditions we suggest you place your salt lamp in a plastic bag whenever you wish to turn it off (disconnect from the power source first and remove the cord and globe) to prevent moisture being attracted to the rock salt.
Generally speaking, in temperate conditions, your salt lamp can be switched off for a day or two without it ‘leaking’ because, in mild conditions, there is not much moisture in the air.
Wet salt lamp
If your lamp gets wet, switch off at the power source, remove the cord and globe and then wipe the rock salt with a dry cloth. When dry, replace the cord and globe and switch on your salt lamp to re-dry the rock salt.
Should you suspect water has dripped into the globe connection, replace the cord and globe immediately.
Other hints
It’s best:
- if you don’t use your salt lamp or rock salt tea light candle holder in damp rooms, outdoors, in humid conditions or near evaporative cooling,
- to plug your salt lamp directly into the wall (ie, don’t use a powerboard),
- to place your salt lamp on a saucer or similar to protect the surface your salt lamp is sitting on,
- to leave your salt lamp switched on as long as you can for the therapeutic benefits and to prevent it from ‘leaking’
If you have any other queries, you can check out our website (https://rocksaltlamps.com.au/care/) where you’ll find more information ….. Mandy & crew
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Thank you for the clear concise description of this problem and its solutions. I was shocked to see my lamp in a puddle but now I know this is normal and how to prevent it!
Thanks for your feedback Karla, we’re glad we could help.
How can I Clean off the salt that has dripped down to the base? Is it still useable?
Thanks
Hi Beth – yes your salt lamp is definitely useable. Make sure you remove the cord and globe from your salt lamp (switch off at the power source first), and then wipe over with a damp cloth. If it’s a bit stubborn, feel free to add a bit more water to the cloth and gently wipe away the salt residue. When it’s clean you can also apply any furniture oil to the wooden base to make it shine again. When clean, put the cord and globe back inside the salt lamp and it will look as good as new.