Salt lamps made from salt crystals are unique pieces of furniture that can add comfort to your home. They are believed to have many beneficial properties, such as cleansing the air of irritants and soothing. Alas, if not cared for properly, they begin to drain, melt or become covered with condensation. To prevent all of this, store the lamp in a dry room, reduce the humidity in the house, use a suitable electric lamp, and frequently wipe down the salt crystal itself.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Keep the lamp dry
Step 1. Place the lamp in a dry place
Since the salt lamp is made of a crystal of salt, it will absorb moisture and may melt if placed next to water. Keep the lamp dry.
Do not place the salt lamp near showers, bathtubs, dishwashers or washing machines
Step 2. Reduce the humidity level in your home
Too humid air in your home can cause the salt lamp to melt. To reduce the level of moisture in the air, you can use a special device - an air dryer i.
This point can be especially important if you live in humid climates
Step 3. Remove the salt lamp when using steam generating appliances
Since humidity is the main factor causing salt lamps to melt, it is best to put the lamp in a dry closet or room when using appliances that generate steam.
For example, you can remove the salt lamp from the room if you are boiling water on the stove, showering, or using the washing machine
Step 4. Remove excess moisture from the salt lamp frequently
Get in the habit of wiping down the salt lamp to remove excess moisture from it. Use a rag, towel, or other material that will keep fluff off the lamp.
If you don't feel like doing this every few days, you can wait until you notice condensation on the lamp
Method 2 of 3: How to care for your salt lamp
Step 1. Clean the dust from the lamp with a damp cloth
Don't worry about the lamp melting. Take a damp cloth or sponge after wringing it out as hard as possible. Wipe off dust and other debris from the lamp. Wipe dry with a dry cloth.
- Then turn on the salt lamp again. The heat will evaporate the remaining moisture.
- Do not immerse the lamp in water. Also, do not use cleaning agents to clean the lamp.
Step 2. Keep the lamp on at all times
If your salt lamp starts to melt, try keeping it on all the time. Thanks to the heat from the heating element, any moisture deposited on the salt crystal will evaporate and it will drip and melt more slowly.
If you do not want to keep the lamp on all the time, cover it with a plastic bag or other protective material to prevent moisture from settling on the crystal
Step 3. Place the lamp on the stand
If there is nothing you can do to prevent the lamp from melting, it is best to place it on something to avoid damaging the furniture. This could be a cup holder, saucer, silicone / plastic napkin, or something else that will keep salt from contaminating your furniture.
Method 3 of 3: How to test a light bulb
Step 1. Use a suitable electric lamp
The principle of operation of salt lamps is that they evaporate excess moisture on the surface of the salt crystal. If the moisture does not completely evaporate, it may start to leak and give the impression that the lamp is “melting”. The light bulb must be powerful enough to keep the salt crystal warm to the touch, but not hot.
For lamps weighing up to 4.5 kg, a 15 W electric lamp is suitable. For salt lamps weighing 4.5–9 kg, a 25 W electric lamp is needed, and for crystals weighing more than 9 kg, a 60 W lamp
Step 2. Watch out for the light bulb
If the salt lamp melts or condensation drips off, check the inside of the incandescent lamp. If the crystal also "leaks" from the inside, the liquid can get into the lamp and ruin it. Look out for problems with the lamp: it may flicker or work intermittently.
Step 3. Change the incandescent bulb
If you have problems with condensation on a salt lamp, change the incandescent lamp inside. Perhaps yours is not powerful enough. Make sure your lamp is generating heat. You can buy replacement bulbs that are identical in performance to the one you bought the salt crystal with from any hardware store.