Himalayan salt lamps are made up of pure Himalayan salt blocks. They are not just beautiful décor pieces but also provide soft and soothing light for a peaceful environment. Once you have got your beautiful Himalayan salt lamps to transform your home or office, you should be wondering what Himalayan salt lamp care instructions are?
Although salt lamps have high durability and can last for years if they are used correctly, their incorrect handling or negligence can lead to a number of issues including salt lamp shedding salt, salt lamp weeping and at worst a fire risk. Fret not; these problems are entirely avoidable if you follow its care precautions adequately. Here’s a maintenance guide for your Himalayan salt lamp.
Himalayan Salt Lamp Instructions:
After you get your Himalayan salt lamp, the first thing you need to know is how to assemble the lamp. Follow the instructions mentioned below for setting up your salt lamp.
Step 1 – Remove the salt lamp from the plastic cover and dispose of the silica gel. Silica gel is toxic so make sure not to tear it and keep it away from children.
Step 2 – Screw the bulb provided with the salt lamp into the bulb holder. Make sure that cord is not plugged in when doing so.
Step 3 – After screwing the bulb in the bulb holder, insert it into the lamp through the opening at the bottom.
Step 4 – Adjust the wire through the pre-cut wire slits in the base and carefully place the lamp where desired.
Step 5 – The Himalayan salt lamp can be plugged in and switched on now. Handle the lamp with care whenever moving it from one place to another.
How To Use Himalayan Salt Lamp?
Himalayan salt lamps come with a cord and bulb. You just need to fix it with the lamp and switch it on and there you go. Place them anywhere in your home and office and let them clean the atmosphere. While enjoying the soothing and warm glow of these lamps, there are many questions related to its care that might come to your mind. Read on to find the answers to all these questions.
- Leaving salt lamp on
The best way to use a Himalayan salt lamp is to keep it powered on all the time. Yes, it means switched on 24/7. As Himalayan salt lamps are hygroscopic in nature, they attract water molecules present in the air. This has a cleansing effect on the environment.
The air consists of allergens, pollutants, and bacteria which are also attracted to the lamp with water. Water then evaporates due to the heat produced by the bulb and the harmful substances stay behind attached to the salt lamp. That is why it is recommended to clean the lamp several times a week with a dry or damp cloth.
Don’t worry about the electricity bill as the lamp requires 7-15 watt bulb which consumes very less amount of electrical power thereby, having a minimal effect on the bills.
In addition, Himalayan salt lamps are also said to release negative ions in the air due to the evaporation of water molecules. The negative ions have several health benefits, for example, increased the flow of oxygen to the brain leading to high energy levels and reduced drowsiness.
Also, Remember The Following Dos:
- You should get a lamp with a dimmer cord so that you can adjust the light intensity of the bulb with the lamp switched on 24/7.
- Placing floating candles around the salt lamp is also beneficial as it will heat the base of the lamp and keep it dry.
- Always keep a dish or a mat under the salt lamp so that your furniture is protected from any scratches and the water that trickles down the lamp in collected in it.
- If you are not using your salt lamp for some time such as when going on a vacation, you should disassemble it and cover the lamp in an airtight plastic bag to prevent it from weeping.
- Is your Himalayan salt lamp weeping?
As mentioned earlier, the salt lamp tends to absorb moisture from the environment. Therefore, it renders Himalayan salt lamp leaking with a ‘weeping’ or ‘crying’ appearance. This happens if it’s placed near a window or a humid environment as well as not kept hot by keeping it switched on for at least 16 hours.
- Why is salt lamp crumbling?
In case the salt lamp is too wet or dripping water, then without wasting time on thinking why my salt lamp is crumbling, you should immediately get to work. Too much moisture causes the lamp to degenerate and crumble. In this case, you should disassemble it and put the lamp along with the bulb and cord in sunlight for several hours until they dry out. Then it can be reassembled again for use.
- Why is my salt lamp shedding salt?
Likewise, if placed in a dry environment such as during dry weather conditions or used with a very high-intensity bulb, the salt lamp tends to lose water molecules. This leads it to become desiccated. This causes the salt lamp to become flaky and shed salt that can be seen surrounding the lamp.
This can be dealt with by wiping the salt lamp with a damp cloth. Also, moisture balance can be achieved by keeping the lamp on during the day and switching it off at night.
- Salt lamp fire risk
It is evident that Himalayan salt lamp offers a wide range of benefits. In spite of that, there are potential hazards it can cause, if not handled with care such as electrical dangers and fire risk. If the quality of the cord is not good it will wear off, impairing the insulation.
Along with that if the salt lamp is not kept dry and water keeps trickling down the lamp, it can cause electrical hazard which can lead to catching on fire. It is this reason that the Consumer Product Safety Commission has recalled the salt lamps of a brand in the U.S due to its compromised quality.
Hence, before buying a salt lamp, you should always make sure that it meets the standard quality and safety requirements so that you can get hold of a durable and safe product.
- Are salt lamps safe?
Naturally, salt is safe to use and consume. Same goes for the Himalayan salt lamps. Although the salt lamps contain particles of heavy metals such as lead and mercury, they are very less to cause a risk. Thus, considering their versatile nature, salt lamps can be a very healthy and soothing choice for you, if used with care and precaution.
