What is a Salt Lamp?

A salt lamp is simply a chunk of mined salt that has been hollowed out to allow room for a lightbulb or tiny candle. The light glows through the medium of the salt crystal, which can range in color from a dark salmon pink to a pale orange. Salt crystals for salt lamps are mined in Russia and central Europe as well as in the Himalayas. Salt lamps make attractive accent lights. Their main attraction, however, is that the heating of the salt causes the crystal to release negative ions (often called simply 'ions').

Negative ions have long been considered healthy; the sea air, mountain air and the air around swiftly running water is high in negative ions. Indoor air, recirculated air, and air around electronic equipment is very low in negative ions. Many office workers who suffer health complaints around fluorescent lighting and computer monitors report considerably less fatigue and headaches if the concentration of negative ions in the air is increased. Why negative ions may be beneficial is only partially understood.

It has been shown that negative ions in the air bind with airborne pollutants, making them heavier so that they fall to the ground, and therefore are unavailable to be inhaled. Many modern air purifiers - the so-called 'ionic air cleaners' - use this technique to provide cleaner indoor air for allergy sufferers. Some studies seem to indicate that an increase in negative ions in the air increases bloodflow to the brain, which would have the effect of improved concentration. The salt lamp is an attractive alternative to the utilitarian look of an air purifier.

The amount of negative ions a salt lamp can release depends on its size and how warm the candle or lightbulb can make it. The larger the crystal, obviously, the more expensive the lamp, but the larger area it can provide with negative ions. Salt lamps that produce 'night-light' amounts of light can provide ions to an area equal to the average office cubicle.

Discuss this Article

how can I get the just cut grainy look back? I've wiped the lamp with a damp cloth and the look now is slicky shiny not grainy powdery like originally. Can I use sand paper?

- anon49462

I forgot to take my salt lamp off the floor after i moved into a new apartment and during the warm whether the salt lamp began to sweat from the heat and caused a ring on an old wooden floor. After letting the ring dry completely, I need to know is there something I can use to remove the ring it made on the floor? Any suggestions

- anon41400

himalayan salt lamps are really a natural gift of the God that purifies the atmosphere of the environment. Himalayan Salt Lamps - all the products of Himalayan Salt Lamps are available here at cheap prices.

- anon39781

After using salt lamps for about a year, I realized that during summer, salt lamps actually cool your environment down a little.

- anon34166

I just got one at Home Goods for $15 & I've also seen them at other off-price stores like Marshall's & TJ Max, so they can be found affordably.

- anon31616

Okay, these puppies are expensive, and I'm not well off. So here's a thought: I have a little bedside lamp with an upward-facing, tulip-shaped shade, the old-fashioned "hobnailed" milk-glass kind. What's to keep me from putting a 40W bulb in there and simply filling the shade with rock salt, sea salt or plain table salt?

- Bluezinnia

An atom contains a balanced number of electrical charges, positive and negative. Salt results from the combination of two atoms, in the case of edible salt, sodium and chlorine. Chlorine takes one electron from sodium and acquires a net negative charge. The sodium is left with a net positive charge. If your salt is releasing negative ions, they must be chlorine with an extra negative charge. What happens to the positively charged sodium left behind. As more and more chlorine ions are released, what prevents the salt left behind from acquiring an overwhelming positive charge?

- mervo4

You should probably not use a salt lamp in a room where there is also a humidifier (or in a room where there is a lot of humidity, such as the kitchen or bath) because the moisture in the air will tend to break down the salt. Even when using a salt lamp in dry room it is a good idea to set it on a glass, ceramic, or stone surface because sometimes there is still enough moisture in the air to cause the lamp to "weep" a bit (which could leave an unsightly ring on wooden furniture, for example). I tend to take out my salt lamps when the days lengthen in October, and then put them away when the days get noticeably longer in April or so--you could time them with clock shifts. In the humid summer months it is a good idea to let them "rest" in a plastic bag and cardboard box. In addition to improving the air quality, I think that the soothing light assists with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) problems because when lit they glow like a live coal and emit a very warm, soothing color spectrum. You can also change their tint somewhat by putting different color light bulbs in them.

- anon21515

Hi... a few days ago I posted a long and informational response that answered many of your readers questions along with many fresh comments about Salt Lamps.

I am wondering why you have chosen not to post it. The phrasing, grammar and spelling were all at a level that should have been appreciated relative to those you have already chosen. If I need to rewrite any of it please send it back to me with suggested corrections and I will resubmit

- anon21332

Editor's reply: thanks for your posting! we treat each reader posting with the utmost respect-it's possible that your post included links to other websites, or did not follow our posting criteria. please check out our discussion posting faq's before resubmitting your post. thanks!

if i were you i would not buy this product, my geology professor explained to the class with evidence that in fact the salt lamp produces a chlorine gas which in no way is good for humans. so, i hope that those of you who read this don't buy this product.

- anon17402

I have purchased a salt lamp. I suffered with asthma and felt hurdles while breathing but now after the purchasing and using the giant salt lamp from this site i really feeling well. Salt lamps purifies the air of my room.

- gudda

I bought a salt lamp about a month ago. The salesperson told me to leave it on 24Hrs everyday. The reason why I got it is because of my bad seasonal allergies. I hope in the future they do allow speleotherapy more frequently.

- anon15772

I just bought one and the guy said that the highest bulb is 7 watt night light. he also said wipe off the salt with a wet rag to clean it which will recharge the salt due to salt being like 65% water. I just really got it because it looked cool.

- anon13458

I read some articles, they said salt lamps produce very little negative ion ( some time can't even be measured ). amount of neg. ion also depend on size and surface roughness... it that true?

- lamp123456

Hi,

I've read that part of the effects of the salt lamp is that it draws moisture out of the air. I live in Montreal, and have to keep a humidifier going through the winter months. Will a salt lamp essentially be working against my humidifier?

I'm guessing that the answer is yes, but only to a very small degree, versus the amount of water the humidifier is throwing into the air, but am curious if someone knows for sure.

Thanks

- anon7669

Does the salt disintegrate over time or does the lamp last and its forever?

- anon5415

I don't know of any documented information, but I suffer from severe allergies and have put a salt lamp in every room of my house. Since doing this I have suffered from less sinus problems and have been much healthier. So they do work. I have used mine for almost a year now and love them.

- anon4856

Leave your lamp on as much as you can, even 24 hours a day.

Most lamps will handle up to a 40W bulb.

- anon4778

what is the highest bulb i can use in my salt lamp?

- maguire

How long can a salt lamp be on? i.e..... 8, 10, 24 hours at a time? What is the highest wattage light bulb that can be used?

- anon2551

is there any way or medical proven certificate that it really works at it is said on net?

- anon2174

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