Do Himalayan Salt Lamps Melt?

Since many people experience problems with their Himalayan salt lamps, they end up worrying about their durability. In most cases, the problem that owners report is that their salt lamp is leaking or sweating. It is, however, likely that this problem occurred because the lamp was either placed in a humid room or because the surrounding area is highly humid. In dry climates, salt lamps do not usually sweat. Nevertheless, other factors contribute to the salt lamp “sweating” and can occur even in dry conditions.

Does A Himalayan Salt Lamp Melt Or Leak?

Melting and leaking are often confused and it is a common misconception. It is not uncommon for potential buyers to ask, does salt melt? Many salt lamp owners mistake sweating for melting, which is why they answer yes to this question. Himalayan pink salt does not dissolve or melt. Even though they can sweat and leak water, they do not melt.

The lamps that are placed in humid environments cause sweating by absorbing moisture from the air. As sweating often becomes so intense that it creates small puddles, it is not surprising that many people think the salts melt. A salt lamp must be kept on at all times to ensure that the salts remain dry (use caution when you leave the house, and it is better to turn it off to be safe also keep out of the way of any animals you may have).

Salt lamps are best kept on 24/7, except when you’re all alone at home and heading out so that sweating and melting cannot occur. In addition, the lamp does not consume a lot of electricity, so the electric bill is not a concern. If the lamp is placed in a less humid area, you can also prevent sweating.

Why Does My Lamp Leak Water?

There’s nothing wrong with your lamp if you notice water collecting on its surface or at its base. The leaking of lamps, sweating, crying, or melting of lamps is quite normal. It is a myth that the water is indeed leaking from the lamp even though it isn’t. What causes salt lamps to leak?

Himalayan salt naturally produces this effect. The nature of Himalayan salt crystals is hygroscopic, which means that it attracts water vapor from the air. Whenever a salt lamp is left anywhere, especially in a humid environment or in the open, water begins to condense naturally on its surface. Once enough of it has condensed, it will start dripping downward, hence the term leaking. In fact, if your Himalayan salt isn’t leaking at all, you might have a fake one on your hands.

There are many reasons why your salt lamp could be weeping. Some common causes include:

• The bulb has been damaged. This can cause small cracks, which allow for more moisture to enter the interior of the lamp. It should still work fine but won’t look new anymore (some people don’t mind this as it gives it a kind of patina).
• Your Himalayan salt was exposed to extreme heat during shipping/storage.
• It is stored in a humid environment surrounded by a lot of water vapor.
• Your house is too humid.
• The bulb you are using is not powerful enough.

If Your Lamp Begins To Melt, What Should You Do?

If you notice any dripping from your salt lamp, don’t panic! It’s not actually melted or even close to being dissolved. Some people get worried about this because they think that the salt inside will be ruined by the moisture. In reality, though, the salt itself isn’t affected at all. Instead, what happens is that as the Himalayan salt melts, it releases its liquid into the air around it. 

Salt lamps may build up moisture over time; don’t worry. To remove moisture, simply wipe it with a dry, lint-free cloth. If it is dirty then use a damp cloth first.

Where Not To Leave Your Lamp

• Basement or crawl space.
• Under a house.
• Underneath furniture.
• Bathrooms
• Kitchens.
• Laundry rooms.
• Garage.
• Sheds.
• Outdoor areas with lots of trees nearby.

If you have a leaky basement, it may be best to put your lamp outside on an elevated platform so water can drain away from the baseboard area. If you don’t have access to such a location, then you’ll need to find another way to deal with this problem.

The Lamp Should Be Kept On All The Time

You should always keep your lamp turned on when safe to do so. As much as you can, leave your Himalayan salt light on all day. Ideally, you should be available 24 hours a day, but if that’s not possible at least 16 hours. Water collected on the surface of your Himalayan salt will evaporate instantly after this process. For this to work, the bulb you use should be a high-wattage bulb enough to create sufficient heat to evaporate the moisture. A 20-20 watt bulb should be adequate for this task.

Use A Dehumidifier

If you live in a particularly humid environment or the location you want to use your Himalayan salt is too moist, you will have issues. One way to remedy this is to use a dehumidifier which sucks out the moisture from the air and makes it drier.

When Storing Away Or Turned Off And Cover Your Lamp

If you have to turn it off for an extended period, you might want to put it inside a bag or back in its original box to prevent it from sweating. In addition, drying the Himalayan salt periodically with an absorbent cloth helps keep them clean.