A Himalayan pink salt lamp is a great addition to your home. Not only does this lamp emit a warm glow, but it provides health benefits as well. If you are new to owning Himalayan salt lamps, you may be wondering how to keep them clean and get the most out of their healing properties. Considering the positive ions and negative ions, knowing how to clean a Himalayan salt lamp to keep its benefits is essential to preserve its positive effects.
Himalayan rock salt lamps need to be cleaned periodically to keep them looking bright and new. Dust particles and trace elements can accumulate on the surface of the lamp after long periods of time. While the dust particles can be removed easily with a dry cloth, more stubborn stains on this crystal lamp require a little more work.
The main function of your salt lamp is to emit negative ions. Once dust and particles accumulate on the lamp, it can stop doing this and start doing more harm than good. Negatively ions are what create the benefit of improved air quality in your home1. The good news is learning how to clean Himalayan salt lamps to keep their benefits is pretty easy.
Related: 11 Pros and Cons of Himalayan Salt Lamps
How To Clean Himalayan Salt Lamps
- The first step in cleaning a Himalayan salt lamp is to unplug the power cord and remove the light bulb.
- Using a damp cloth with room temperature water gently wipe the rough surface of the salt.
- Once the surface stains have been removed, using a dry lint-free cloth remove any excess moisture remaining on the lamp. (it the stains are difficult to remove try using warm water)
- When you use a cloth to clean a Himalayan salt lamp, it is important not to scratch the surface of the lamp.
- After cleaning the lamp, remember to put it back in a dry location.
- If you have a smaller lamp, using a clean cloth on the outside should suffice.
- For larger lamps, be sure to use a lint-free cloth inside of the lamp as well.
How To Clean Himalayan Salt Lamps Additonal Tips
The salt crystals on the surface of the lamp should last for a long time but if it is in a humid area excess moisture may cause the salt to dissolve. Proper care begins before cleaning your Himalayan sea salt lamp.
Water damage can cause salts crystals to dissolve so keep your Himalayan pink salt lamp away from water at all times for best results.2
Your lamp should be placed in a well-ventilated area. This way, moisture will have the ability to escape. If you notice dampness or excessive moisture on your salt lamp, place it higher to promote air circulation or move it to another location that is warmer and drier to help dry out the crystals.
Learn how to clean Himalayan salt lamps regularly not only to keep their benefits but also to extend their lifetimes. Heating dry salt rock lamps can cause them to become brittle over time which could make them more likely to break during cleaning. When rocks are heated, thermal expansion causes cracks within mineral structures which can shorten their lifespan.3
In order to keep your lamp looking new for years, cleaning it regularly is necessary to remove the dust and dirt that accumulates over time. In addition, take care not to place your lamp in a humid area as this will cause excess moisture build-up which can damage the salt crystals and diminish their benefits
Because Himalayan salt lamps emit negative ions when turned on, they don’t require much effort or maintenance aside from occasional cleaning and replacing the light bulbs once they burn out. Himalayan pink rock salt lamps are one of the best investments you can make for overall health and wellness.
The benefits of negative ions are endless so be sure to keep your salt lamps clean and debris-free for all their natural healing powers. Related: Benefits of Himalayan Pink Salt for Adrenals
With proper care, your Himalayan pink salt lamp can last a lifetime. Cleaning them properly helps promote air quality by releasing all those unwanted particles and removing them from your lamp and the air.
Location, location, location.
Every salt lamp owner should consider where they keep their lamp. Water molecules in the air can dissolve into the salt crystals, making them soggy. This can result in a lower effect from the lamp and damage to the surface of the rock. Take care to keep your Himalayan salt lamp away from wet areas where it may be exposed to water or high humidity, like the tub or shower.
Too much water or too much vapor around the lamp for an extended period of time can cause the crystals to begin to dissolve. The best way to keep your lamp safe is by keeping it in a space like the living room.
Choose the right light bulb
Choosing the right type of salt lamp bulbs for your lamp is important to ensure that it doesn’t overheat or emit too much heat. An led bulb or 15-watt bulb can provide positive results. It’s important to retain the right amount of heat, too much energy from a higher wattage bulb such as 60 watts or higher can cause the salt crystals to soften. A dim light is the best option if you do have a higher watt bulb.
Care for the entire lamp
When caring for your lamp it’s important to also be aware of the entire lamp and the electrical components. A good thing to do regularly is to clean the cord of your lamp with a dry lint-free cloth. This will ensure that the cord doesn’t become too moist over time.
Light bulbs can be a fire hazard, so always make sure the light bulb is screwed in properly before plugging it into an outlet. Keep them out of the reach of children and don’t leave them on when you’re not in the room. If your lamp is not in use be sure to store it in an airtight plastic bag to avoid exposing it to too much moisture.
The Benefits of Using An Authentic Himalayan Salt Lamp
Himalayan salt lamps have many health claims backed by little evidence. But user reviews of some of the best himalayan salt lamps are positive. That may be because the lamps emit negative ions, which create an effect similar to an ionizer – purifying the air by neutralizing positively charged particles, such as pollen and dust.
Mood
Negative ions are also important because they improve our mood and can help to relieve stress. Seasonal affective disorder, a.k.a. SAD, is a type of depression that occurs during the winter months when there is a lack of sunlight. If you have a salt lamp in your home, scientific studies suggest that it can help to improve your mood and make you feel more relaxed.4
Environment
Negative ions also work to remove germs, pollen, and dust from the air while improving your mood and giving you a feeling of relaxation. Himalayan salt lamps are also known to help reduce concentrations of mold, bacteria, and viruses in the air.5 The light from the lamp attracts dust, which then settles on the salt crystals. The salt also causes pollutants to settle on the lamp’s surface.
Radiation
Electromagnetic radiation is everywhere, and it’s impossible to avoid. Cell phones and other devices emit electromagnetic radiation (EMR) which is also called radiofrequency (RF) radiation. EMR is emitted as waves and can be absorbed by the human body where it forms, causing all types of health problems. Luckily, Himalayan salt lamps emit negative ions along with infrared heat rays to dissipate the electromagnetic radiation in your environment.
Home Decor
At the very least, Himalayan salt lamps can be a great conversation starter and look great in a modern or contemporary room. They’re also available in different styles, so you can find the right look for your home. Studies show adding more decor to your home and utilizing color therapy can increase your mood and well-being. By choosing the right lamp you can improve the look of your home while improving the air around you.
Takeaway
Knowing how to clean Himalayan salt lamps to keep their benefits can be tricky. You should follow a routine that not only keeps the salt clean but the light bulb and cord as well. If you have an authentic Himalayan salt lamp, using a dim light will benefit you both aesthetically and with your mood. Detailed research is still being done on this type of lighting, so it’s important to take these claims with a grain of salt.
There are many benefits to owning a Himalayan salt lamp, but knowing how to properly care for them can be difficult. Some lamps need cleaning regularly while others barely need any attention at all. Keep the following in mind when caring for your lamp:
- Choose the right kind of light bulb
- Don’t let cords get dirty or moist
- Always make sure bulbs are screwed in correctly before turning on
- Keep out of reach of children and infants
- Store in a plastic bag when not in use.
By following these simple steps, you’ll enjoy many benefits from owning a Himalayan salt lamp while keeping them clean and functional for years to come.
Do Himalayan Salt Lamps Really Work?
Yes, negative ions are proven to improve mood and reduce stress. It used to be thought that salt lamps were around 95% sodium chloride, however, it’s now known that these lamps are actually about 80-90 percent pure salt with 10-15 percent other minerals, such as calcium and magnesium.
Some people claim that the lamps emit a subtle glow of ultraviolet light, which would explain why they’re able to help with things like seasonal affective disorder. However, this has not been proven and the lamps would need to be extremely close to the body for a long period of time to emit a small amount of UV light.
There is no good science that proves the lamps emit negative ions. The lamps are, however, made from salt crystals which are known to emit negative ions when they’re heated by a light bulb. So while the lamps emit negative ions, it is not via a process unique to the lamps and can be achieved by simply heating a salt crystal.
The Science Behind Himalayan Salt Lamps
While there’s no scientific evidence that suggests Himalayan salt lamps emit negative ions, as well as heat and light, there is some anecdotal support.
Salt crystals do emit negative ions when heated. When a salt crystal is exposed to heat it begins to break down into sodium and chloride ions (Na+ and Cl-) and free electrons (e-). The Na+ and e- combine together to create sodium metal and a single electron.
This electron then attaches itself to an electron from the chlorine ion – creating a stable molecule of NaCl or table salt. In the process, the salt emits infrared light energy along with negatively charged particles called electrons. These electrons are what we call “negative ions.”
Since Himalayan salt is about 90 percent NaCl, it’s quite possible that salt from this region emits many negative ions.
With the heat from a light bulb, Himalayan salt lamps are able to emit negative ions in any environment where there is an adequate source of energy – such as waterfalls and oceans. Himalayan salt lamps have been shown to improve mood and reduce fatigue simply by being placed in a room. The benefits of a Himalayan salt lamp may be psychological, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t work.