Once you have chosen your Himalayan salt lamp or candle holder you might be wondering about the best way to clean and care for your lamp.
With proper care your lamp should last for years so it’s worth making sure you are looking after it correctly.
Positioning your lamp
The one thing that will definitely break your salt lamp is dropping it. And they are heavy so can cause injury if they land on someone, especially children or pets. So with this in mind its best to keep them on a stable surface out of the reach of children and animals.
Salt lamps also attract water meaning they will appear to sweat if they are in very damp or humid areas, and water and electrics are not the best of friends. Therefore it’s best not to keep your lamp near the bath or shower, dishwasher, kettle or cooking area.
Wherever you position your salt lamp you may wish to place it on a coaster to prevent damage to the surface.
Finally it’s best not to place your lamp next to a loudspeaker as the vibrations can cause the bulb to touch on the inside of the lamp which can cause the bulb to blow.
Cleaning your salt lamp
Salt is naturally self-cleaning so there should be no need to wash your lamp but it may get dusty or marked and need a clean from time to time.
If this happens the one thing to remember is not to submerge it in water and whatever you do don’t be tempted to put it in the dishwasher.
Instead turn off the salt lamp at the wall and allow it to cool to room temperature.
Next remove the salt part of the lamp from the power cord, bulb and base.
Now all you need is a damp cloth or sponge. Squeeze out as much water as you can and gently wipe the surface of the lamp to remove any dust or dirt. You’ll want to choose a lint-free cloth for this so you don’t end up leaving bits behind on the rough surface of the salt.
For stubborn stains you can give the salt a scrub with a scourer. Don’t worry you won’t damage the lamp.
Finally remove any excess moisture with a dry cloth, reassemble the turn it on to fully dry it out.
Other tips to take care of your Himalayan salt lamp
Check the bulb. Having a bulb the correct size and wattage will improve the function of your salt lamp. This is due to the fact that the lamps need heat to evaporate moisture they naturally attract from the surrounding air. An LED bulb might be better in terms of energy usage but it won’t help the lamp dry out if it’s in a humid area.
You also need to ensure the bulb isn’t touching the inside of the lamp as this can lead to water damage.
Store if you are going away. Salt lamps are best when they are left on, especially if you are noticing your lamp ‘sweating’. Therefore if you are going away it’s best to remove your lamp from its base and bulb and store it in an airtight bag.
You can also minimise sweating by keeping the lamp on for at least 16 hours a day and using a higher wattage bulb. Just make sure you don’t exceed the maximum recommended wattage.
Follow these tips and you should be able to enjoy your Himalayan salt lamp for years to come.
