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Salt lamps not only serve as a beautiful decorative object, but also offer many advantages. Due to their translucent and natural design, salt lamps emit a warm, pleasant light. This creates a pleasant atmosphere.
Salt crystals also ensure a clean climate. The air quality increases and complaints can be reduced. In our salt lamp guide we present you salt crystal lamps of different types.
We have compared different lamps with each other and listed the respective advantages and disadvantages. We would like to make your purchase decision easier and help you find the optimal salt lamp for you.
Summary
- Due to the heat emitted by the lamp, the salt crystals release negative ions. This improves the air and the entire room climate. Salt lamps are therefore particularly helpful in cases of poor concentration and sleeping problems.
- In principle, salt lamps are suitable for all ages and can fulfil different functions depending on their placement. However, one must be particularly careful with pets, as licking salt lamps is harmful to pets.
- Salt lamps must never come into contact with moisture. Therefore, they must not be placed in bathrooms. Cleaning with a damp cloth is also unsuitable. Moisture causes the salt to decompose and the salt lamp to dissolve.
The Best Salt Lamp: Our Picks
There are different types of salt lamps. Below we have selected the six best salt lamps to help you make your choice.
Salt lamp: buying and evaluation criteria
Below you will find aspects that will help you decide between the different salt lamps. The criteria you can use to compare the lamps include:
In the following paragraphs we explain the individual criteria in more detail.
Size
Salt lamps come in different sizes. Depending on whether you want to place the lamp on the floor or on a shelf, a different size is suitable. When using salt lamps as a night light, we recommend choosing a smaller lamp that emits less light. Salt lamps have different dimensions depending on their shape.
On average, they have a height of 12 to 45 centimetres and a width of 9 to 18 centimetres. Small salt lamps weigh about two to three kilograms. Large salt lamps can weigh 40 to 50 kilograms. Depending on the size of the room, you need to buy a salt lamp of a certain size in order for it to have a positive effect.
The following table gives an overview of room and lamp sizes.
| Room size | salt lamp |
|---|---|
| 10 to 12 square metres | salt stone of 2 to 3 kilograms |
| approx. 18 square metres | salt stone of 4 to 6 kilograms |
| approx. 25 square metres | salt stone of 7 to 9 kilograms |
| approx. 30 square metres | salt stone of 10 to 14 kilograms |
As an alternative to one large salt lamp, several small salt lamps can also be set up.
Shape
Salt lamps are made from mountain salt. The most popular are the salt lamps that look very natural and unprocessed. The salt crystals are simply shaped into their final form with a hammer. Natural salt lamps are roughly hewn salt stones that are irregular in shape.
Mountain salt can be shaped into any form. For smooth surfaces and certain shapes, the salt stones are worked harder. They are also first hewn into a rough shape and then ground to shape afterwards. Salt lamps are often offered in a spherical or pyramid shape.
Colour
As with the shape, natural salt lamps are the most popular. The salt crystals have a reddish, orange or white-greyish natural colour. They are often offered in these colours. The extracted salt has a different colour depending on the mineral content.
Reddish salt has a lot of iron oxide, orange salt is rich in magnesium and white-greyish salt is very calcareous. Salt crystal lamps, with the help of a tea light or an incandescent bulb, therefore shine yellow-reddish, strong orange or in a whitish shade.
Note that the more orange the salt lamp is, the warmer and more pleasant the light.
Salt lamps are not only available in natural colours, but also in bright colours. The lamps are equipped with LED bulbs that can light up in different colours with the help of a small remote control.
Note that depending on the colour of the salt stone itself, the colours can differ in colouring and intensity. In addition, LED bulbs do not release any effect.
Salt lamp: Frequently asked questions and answers
In the following paragraphs we answer frequently asked questions about salt lamps. We have selected the most important questions for you in the guide. We will answer them shortly and give you all the essential background information about salt lamps.
What is a salt lamp?
(Image source: hunabkis / Pixabay)
Salt lamps create a pleasant atmosphere. By illuminating from the inside, the lamps emit a warm, beautiful light. Besides being a beautiful decorative object, a salt lamp has many advantages, which you will learn about in more detail in the next sections. Salt lamps have a positive effect on people’s well-being in various situations.
What does a salt lamp do?
The humidity in the air is absorbed by the salt crystals, which purifies the air from mould and dust particles. By improving the air we breathe, concentration is also strengthened and stress reduced.
Furthermore, salt lamps have an ionising effect. Especially through the use of technical devices, the air is positively charged. Due to the heat of the illuminant, the lamps emit negative ions. This neutralises the climate and improves the air.
Thus, salt lamps help especially against electrosmog. In the following video, some of the advantages of a salt lamp are explained again: Whether salt lamps also have a healing effect against headaches or allergies has not been scientifically proven.
However, they have been proven to improve and purify the air, which can prevent allergy outbreaks and headaches.
Who is a salt lamp suitable for?
Therefore, salt lamps are often used in the office or home office. Another advantage is that salt lamps neutralise the positive ions of technical devices. Salt lamps can be helpful for people with sleep problems.
Since the soft light reduces the fear of darkness in sensitive people, as a night light it ensures better falling asleep and a more comfortable sleep.
What types of salt lamps are there?
| Type | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Salt lamp with a light bulb | Light bulbs give off enough heat to heat the salt. In addition, incandescent bulbs have a comparatively long shelf life and rarely need to be replaced | It should be noted that LEDs are not possible as they do not give off heat. Due to the power connection to a socket, the free placement of the lamp is somewhat limited. |
| Salt lamp with a tea light | Tea lights also give off enough heat. Since these lamps do not require a power connection, the choice of location is free | Tea lights have a short burning time and need to be changed regularly. In addition, salt lamps with tea lights have a small size and therefore only show an effect at close range. |
You can find out more about the different types of salt lamps here:
Salt lamp with a bulb
Salt lamps are often sold with a lamp socket and a light bulb. These lamps are made with a hole about 4 cm wide and 8 cm deep. The light bulb is later placed in this hole.
For smaller salt lamps, an incandescent lamp with 15 watts is needed. This corresponds to a conventional refrigerator light or a lamp for the oven. Larger salt lamps require a bulb with a maximum of 40 watts. When placing salt lamps with a light bulb, you must make sure that there is a power socket nearby.
As LEDs hardly generate any heat, they are not suitable for salt crystal lamps. Salt lamps need heat because this is the only way to stimulate ion release, which has a positive effect. In principle, salt lamps can be operated with LEDs, but the function is limited to the atmospheric and colourful light that is possible.
Salt lamp with a tea light
Tea lights are used more for small salt lamps. Lamps with a medium to large size are operated electrically so that the salt crystals get enough heat. Since salt tea lights are smaller lamps, they hardly have an effect in the whole room.
Therefore, salt lamps with tea lights are suitable for close-up use. Unlike larger electrically operated salt lamps, salt tea lights do not improve the entire room air. They should be placed in close proximity to create a positive effect. A suitable place would be, for example, the desk or kitchen table.
Where do I place a salt lamp?
Otherwise, no positive effect can be achieved. Basically, the effect is more intense in the close range of the salt crystal. How much the room climate is improved and what effect is achieved depends on the location of the salt lamp. Depending on the location, a salt lamp can fulfil different functions and effects.
- Office: In the office, a salt lamp ensures more concentration and less electrosmog.
- Living room: The warm light of a salt lamp in the living room creates more harmony and hospitality.
- Bedroom: In the bedroom, a salt lamp has a positive effect on falling asleep and on sleep itself.
- Dining table: Salt lamps have a positive effect on the stomach and intestines.
Salt lamps cannot be placed everywhere. Salt crystals dissolve under moisture and can crystallise. Therefore, salt lamps are not suitable for bathrooms or places with high humidity. In addition, using salt lamps outdoors is ineffective.
Even with an open window, the effect is limited. Therefore, if possible, air the room before use. If you have pets, you must pay special attention to the placement of a salt lamp. A high dose of salt increases the sodium content in the blood.
Salt lamps should be placed out of reach of pets.
If pets lick salt crystals over a long period of time, it can cause saline poisoning.
How much does a salt lamp cost?
The price depends mainly on the size of the lamp. Large and heavy salt crystals are significantly more expensive than small ones.
(Image source: holzand0 / Pixabay)
Since salt lamps with a tea light are usually smaller lamps, they are also cheaper. On the other hand, they do not have an effect in the whole room, but are suitable for use in the immediate vicinity.
Salt bowls or wicker lamps with several small salt crystals are comparatively more expensive than lamps with one lump of salt. Again, small and light lamps are less expensive than large lamps.
How long can a salt lamp burn?
Basically, the salt itself is very durable, robust and has an unlimited shelf life. In addition, no harmful substances are released by the lamp. Therefore, salt lamps can be in operation for a longer period of time without any problems.
A salt lamp rarely needs to be replaced. Only the tea light or the bulb needs to be changed when necessary. Most lamps have a plug-in system that makes it easy to change the bulb. Make sure that the lamp is not connected to the power supply.
How do I clean a salt lamp?
Under no circumstances should a salt lamp come into contact with moisture. So they must not be cleaned with water or in the dishwasher. Strong cleaners are also harmful to the salt. This causes the salt to decompose and the lamp to dissolve.
(Image source: anella64 / Pixabay)
If the salt crystal is damp or starts to sweat, the lamp should be put into operation as soon as possible. This causes the crystals to release the stored moisture.
What alternatives are there to a salt lamp?
| Type | Feature |
|---|---|
| Daylight lamps | Natural light releases the hormone serotonin. This “happiness hormone” puts us in a good mood. Especially in the dark winter months, natural light is lacking due to little sunlight. The hormone is not released and the mood deteriorates. Daylight lamps simulate natural light. This is said to boost mood and well-being. |
| Human Centric Lighting (HCL) | This light consists of certain retrofit LED lamps. Connected to an app on the mobile phone, the lamps can be controlled. Depending on the time of day and season, a suitable lighting mood can be created, contributing to a healthy atmosphere. |
Each lamp has certain advantages that are not to be sneezed at. Nevertheless, one salt lamp seems to be superior to the others. It is not without reason that there is such a wide range of different salt crystal lamps.
Conclusion
As you can see, there is a wide range of salt lamps. The lamps come in many different shapes and sizes and can be operated with different light sources. Before buying, consider which functions the salt lamp should fulfil. Depending on the size of the room, you will need an appropriately sized salt lamp.
Also make sure that it is a real salt lamp. We have shown you the benefits of a salt lamp and compared the different forms of salt lamps with each other and shown you the advantages and disadvantages. With this background knowledge, you can now find the optimal salt lamp for you.
Image source: serezniy/ 123rf
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