Himalayan salt lamp guide: sizes, bulbs, sweating and how to clean a salt lamp

A Himalayan salt lamp is a chunk of pink rock salt with a small bulb inside, and its warm amber glow is the whole point. New to salt lamps, or caring for one you've had for years? Here's how to pick a size, keep the bulb and cord in good shape, stop it "sweating" in damp Nova Scotia weather, and clean a salt lamp without melting it.

What is a Himalayan salt lamp?

Each lamp is a single piece of natural pink Himalayan rock salt, hollowed out to hold a bulb and set on a wooden base. Switched on, the light comes through the salt as a soft orange-pink glow rather than a bright working light, so it suits a bedside table, a shelf or a dim corner of the living room. It's a pretty piece of natural decor that adds a warm atmosphere to any room at home.

Because every lamp is cut from raw salt, not moulded, no two look the same. Expect differences in shape, weight and the mix of pink, orange and white in the crystal. That variation is part of the appeal of a real salt lamp.

SundHed SaltPure Himalayan Salt Lamp, smallA natural salt crystal on a wooden base, with cord and bulb included. Also in medium, large and extra large.Shop →

Salt lamp sizes: which one fits your room?

We carry SundHed Pure Himalayan Salt Lamps in four sizes, and every one comes with a cord and bulb, ready to plug in. Since each piece is natural, sizes are a range rather than an exact measurement.

The bigger the lamp, the heavier it is, so give large and extra-large lamps a sturdy, level surface. For a gift, the small and medium sizes are the easiest to wrap and to find a spot for. When you're buying, see the lamps lit in store if you can: colour and appearance vary from one lamp to the next, and that's the best reason to choose in person.

Cords and bulbs

A salt lamp uses a small, low-wattage bulb, and 15 W is the standard size for most table-top lamps. The bulb does two jobs: it makes the glow, and its gentle warmth helps keep the salt dry. A 15 W bulb uses very little energy, so a salt lamp costs little to run. Keep a spare in the drawer so the lamp isn't dark for a week when a bulb goes.

1. Unplug first. Switch off and unplug the lamp before you touch the bulb.
2. Let it cool. Give the old bulb a few minutes to cool, then tip the lamp on its side on a towel and reach in through the base.
3. Swap and check. Screw in the new bulb, check that the socket and cord are dry and undamaged, then stand the lamp up and plug it back in.

Check the cord now and then, too. If it's frayed, cracked or the socket is loose, stop using the lamp and replace the cord set before you plug it in again.

Where to put a salt lamp

Salt draws moisture out of the air, so where you put your lamp matters more than you might think. A dry, lived-in room where the lamp gets switched on often is ideal.

Why salt lamps "sweat" in humid Nova Scotia weather

If you've ever found your salt lamp beaded with water, sitting in a little puddle, it's doing what salt does. Salt pulls water vapour out of the air, and our foggy coastal summers, wet springs and damp basements give it plenty to pull, causing that damp, sweaty look. When the lamp is off and cool, that moisture collects on the surface and drips down onto the base and the furniture.

When the water dries, it leaves white, crusty salt behind. That's the white stuff people find growing on their lamp or on the table underneath, and it can mark wood and corrode metal over time.

Going away, or putting the lamp away for the summer? Unplug it, let it cool, wrap it in a plastic bag and store it somewhere dry. Unwrap it and run it for a few hours when you bring it back out.

How to clean a salt lamp

Salt dissolves in water, so cleaning a salt lamp is about wiping, never washing. Dust is easy; the white crust from a sweaty spell takes a little more care.

1. Unplug and cool. Switch off, unplug and let the bulb cool before you start.
2. Dust with a dry cloth. For everyday dust, a dry, soft cloth is all you need.
3. Use a damp cloth for crust. For white crust or grime, wipe with a cloth that's barely damp, wrung out until it's almost dry. Scrub gently in small circles; a soft brush helps in the nooks.
4. Dry right away. Pat the lamp dry with a towel, then wipe the base and the furniture underneath.
5. Turn it on. Plug it back in and leave it on for a few hours so the heat dries the salt completely.

Never put a salt lamp under running water, soak it, wash it in the sink, put it in the dishwasher or use cleaning sprays on it. Water you add sits on the surface, softens the salt and can reach the bulb socket.

Keep it dry, keep it on, and a salt lamp will glow for years.

Is my Himalayan salt lamp real?

A natural salt lamp has an irregular shape, uneven colour and a glow that's brighter in some spots than others. It's heavy for its size, it can chip or break if you knock it, and it reacts to the weather: a little damp to the touch on a muggy August day is a good sign it's real salt. A perfectly smooth, evenly bright lamp that never changes is more likely glass or plastic.

Lamp salt is for looking at, kitchen salt is for eating

Salt lamps aren't made to be food grade, so please don't grate one over your supper. If you love the look of pink Himalayan salt, SundHed also packs it for the kitchen, coarse for a grinder or fine for everyday cooking.

Questions we get a lot

What are the benefits of a salt lamp?

People love salt lamps for their warm amber glow, the way each one is a natural piece of decor, and the soft light they give on a dark winter evening. They're low-energy lamps, too, so they cost little to run.

Should you leave a salt lamp on all the time?

Not all the time, but often. Run it for several hours a day, longer in humid weather, so the bulb's warmth keeps the salt dry. Treat it like any lamp: turn it off when you leave the house.

How long does a salt lamp last?

The salt itself can last for many years if you keep it dry and handle it gently. Bulbs wear out like any bulb and are easy to replace, and a worn cord should be replaced too.

Why is my salt lamp growing white stuff?

That's salt. The lamp soaked up moisture from the air, the water dried, and it left a white crust behind. Wipe it off with a barely damp cloth, dry the lamp and run it more often.

Can I use a salt lamp as a night light?

Yes. A small or medium salt lamp gives off a low, warm glow that works well as a night light. Set it on a stable surface away from bedding, curtains and little hands.

Where shouldn't you put a salt lamp?

Skip bathrooms, kitchens near the kettle, damp basements and anywhere it will sit on wood or metal without a coaster. Keep it out of reach of pets, too.

If you're shopping for salt lamps in Canada, you'll find ours at both stores: 486 Starboard Drive in Bedford and 590 Portland Street in Dartmouth, open seven days. Browse more of our household shelf and eco-friendly cleaners, read our guide to Nova Scotia candles for more warm light on dark evenings, or see our Halifax Christmas gift guide for more ideas. In HRM, order by 11 am with Luminate Express for same-day delivery, or choose pickup. Anywhere else in Canada, orders over $80 ship free.

Sources: SundHed product information and care directions; product labels.