Himalayan Salt Lamp Benefits & FAQs

What is Himalayan Pink Salt?

Himalayan Rock Salt was formed over 250 million years ago after an ancient sea became landlocked and eventually evaporated leaving behind a huge salt deposit. It is the purest form of rock salt on Earth. Buried deep within the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains, the salt that is exhumed today is still what it was some 250 million years ago, pure & free from all modern contaminants.

Why does the salt have an Orange/Pink coloring?

Unlike refined table salt which is processed beyond belief, Himalayan Pink Salt is natural in all forms & has a pinkish coloring due to the 84 minerals & trace elements found within.

What is a Himalayan Salt Lamp?

Himalayan Salt Lamps, Salt Lamps or Crystal Salt Lamps as they are commonly referred to, is a hand carved solid salt crystal that is hollowed out to fit a small low powered light bulb.

How do they work?

The salt lamp absorbs water and particles from the air, and as it does, it also takes positive ions with them. By gently heating the salt crystal with the low powered light bulb, the heated salt releases cleansed water vapor back into the air. It also releases negative ions that combat the positive ions in our environment that are caused by pollution, dust, electronic devices, animal fur, pollen etc. thereby improving our air quality.

What are the health benefits of Himalayan Salt Lamps?

When lit, the lamp radiates a soft warm amber glow, like a campfire. The heated Salt Crystal emits negative ions which trap air pollutants, allergens & dust. This creates a soothing and calming affect which helps you naturally:

• Sleep better at night
• Feel less fatigued
• Reduced headaches
• Higher levels of relaxation
• Less congestion
• & an increased sense of well being

Why are Negative Ions so good for you?

Negative ions are odorless, tasteless, and invisible molecules that we inhale in abundance in certain environments. Think mountains, waterfalls, and beaches. Once they reach our bloodstream, negative ions produce biochemical reactions that increase levels of the mood chemical serotonin, helping to alleviate depression, relieve stress, and boost our daytime energy.

 How do I care for my Himalayan Salt Lamp?

With their soft light, Himalayan Salt Lamps are designed to be left on continuously most of the day, for maximum benefit from their healing and energizing properties.

Leaving your Himalayan Salt Lamp on will avoid any residual moisture build-up, especially in humid environments. If excess moisture does appear, place something underneath your Himalayan Salt Lamp to protect surfaces and turn your Salt Lamp on or leave it out in the sun to dry it out. Himalayan Salt Lamps need extra care in extremely humid environments.

To remove dust, switch your Himalayan Salt Lamp off and wipe with a dry or damp cloth.

For storage, remove the bulb and cord and store the Himalayan Salt Lamp in an airtight plastic bag to prevent moisture absorption.

To remove the bulb, use your thumb and index finger to squeeze the metal springs on both sides and slide out, then gently release to prevent damaging the bulb. You can also purchase replacement bulb and switches.

What size lamp should I buy?

The bigger the lamp the greater the ionization area, however as rule of thumb please use table below:

Should I keep my lamp on all the time?

The more the lamp is on the better the benefits; however it is not advisable to leave it on 24/7 unattended. Just make sure you switch them on whenever you are home.

Why is my Salt Lamp shedding or weeping?

Salt Lamps absorb humidity moisture from the air, and when they are turned off they can Shed or “cry” if the weather is quite humid or if you live close to the beach or a lake. If you do need to have it turned off for a long period of time, please wrap in a plastic bag or cling wrap to prevent weeping. Or leave on a plate. For extra precaution, you can remove the cord and bulb from within the lamp, in case of moisture builds up.

Are they hot to touch like a normal light bulb?

No, the lamp itself should only ever be slightly warm to the touch. If your lamp is too hot to touch you are most likely using the wrong size bulb & it should be changed. Only use 15 watt bulbs in the electrical cords provided.

How to prolong the life of your Himalayan Salt Lamp Bulbs:

Salt lamp bulbs have a life of around 1000 hours, so if left on continuously, they should last approximately 41 days. Unlike the incandescent light bulbs you might find in your ceiling that remains stationary and untouched throughout their life; salt lamps bulbs are prone to more movement and vibrations that can potentially reduce the life of the bulb.

So ideally your salt lamp should remain stationary and be placed somewhere it cannot be knocked easily.

Why are my bulbs blowing?

If you are having trouble with your salt lamp bulbs blowing a little too often, here are some things to consider:

• Make sure the bulb is screwed in firmly enough to touch both contacts. If it isn’t screwed in enough then it won’t work.
• Oils from your fingers can cause the bulbs to blow, so use a tissue when changing the bulb.
• Ensure the bulb is not touching the inside surface of the lamp. Do not push the bulb in too far and make sure it is straight.
• Try to leave the lamp stationary after turning it off and allow it to cool down before moving it, as a hot bulb is more prone to blowing than a cool one.
• If there is a large current drawing appliance on the same circuit that is switched on/off frequently, this can cause power spikes and/or surges which can blow a bulb. Consider another plug or power board with surge protection.
• Excessive vibrations from a radio or TV being too close. Not a big deal, but something to consider if you are consistently experiencing bulbs blowing excessively.
• Neglected salt lamps can ‘cry’ when barely used. If the residue settles on the bulb it can cause the bulb to blow. To avoid a sad lamp and therefore a sad bulb, please wrap the lamp in plastic when not in use for an extended period to avoid crying. This is more likely to happen in humid weather or if you live near the beach. We recommend always leaving the lamp on when you are home, off when you are not home and off and wrapped with the cord and bulb removed when you are going to be away and not using the lamp for several days.

Will my lamp look like the one on your website?

Not necessarily, as each lamp is hand carved from natural salt crystals, no one lamp will ever be the same as another. They will vary in shape, color and size. You can request a certain look if you have a preference.

Do your lamps come with bulbs & cords?

Yes all of our Salt Lamps come with a bulb & electrical cord, including the package deals.

What type of wood is used on the Salt Lamp base?

All of our salt lamps come with Sheesham Wood bases, also known as Indian Rosewood.

Do your power cords meet American Safety Standards?

Yes, all our electrical cords used in our Salt Lamps at Himalayan Trading Co. are UL Listed American Safety Standard Approved.