How To Seal Your Salt Lamp To Stop It Leaking For Good

Himalayan salt lamps are a great addition to any room, giving off a warm and cosy glow and providing a raw connection to nature, as these lamps are essentially nothing more than a hollowed out salt rock.

However, there is one problem that you may have experienced if you own one of these lamps. In certain environments they bleed water. Salt lamps absorb moisture from the air and if they become saturated, then they'll begin to lose this water. Your lamp will cry.

The best way to avoid this is to keep your lamp on. They are normally illuminated by a halogen bulb, which emits a little heat and keeps the rock warm and means any moisture soaked up by the salt evaporates. However, leaving a lamp on 24/7 isn't ideal if you're trying to run a green home, neither is using halogen bulbs which use five times more power than an LED equivalent.

If you are thinking of going green and switching to an LED bulb, then you may find your salt lamp sweats more. The reason LED bulbs are more efficient is because they generate very little excess heat, where as up to 90% of the energy consumed by a halogen bulb is lost as heat. This means an LED bulb will do a poor job of keeping your salt lamp warm.

But if saving the planet is more important that saving your lamp, then an LED bulb is a good option and with the tip below, you'll be able to stop your lamp from bleeding, even if it is running cold.

If you're worried that coating your salt lamp in a sealant might block the beneficial negative ions that it's said to admit, then you'll be pleased to hear that the coating has no impact on the process what so ever.

The most effective way to stop your lamp from bleeding is to make sure it doesn't soak up moisture in the first place. You can do this by using a clear sealant. This won't affect the overall look of your lamp, but will ensure it is completely protected from any moisture in the air. Sealant is applied in spray form, which means you can easily get an even and invisible coating.

It's important to ensure you buy a clear, matte spray, which will preserve the look of your salt lamp. There are various suitable aerosols available, such as Plasti-Kote, which is a hobby and craft sealer spray designed for decorative finishes.

Before you even think about sealing your salt lamp. You're going to need to make sure it's completely dry first. You can do this by placing your lamp in an oven. You'll need to remove the lightbulb and wiring, which is easily done on most salt lamps, then simply place the lamp in the oven for about an hour at 100°C/200°F. This temperature will not damage any wooden base on the lamp, but be sure to keep the base away from any heating elements and naked flames if using a gas oven.

After an hour carefully remove the lamp from the oven. You'll need to wait for it to cool before you can spray it, this can take a surprisingly long amount of time, depending on the lamp's size.

Once cool you'll need to give your lamp several coats of the sealant spray. Be sure to keep the can upright at a distance of 10-20cm from the lamp and allow two hours drying time between each coat.

Since a salt rock is rough and uneven, it's important to make sure you coat every crack, crease and seam. The best way to ensure you do this is to change the angle at which you apply the spray on each coat. Spray down on to the lamp, spray up from below, and from the sides. Be sure to spray the underside, around the base and don't forget to spray inside the lamp in the hollow provided for the light.

Allow 24 hours to ensure the lacquer is completely dry, especially the inside of the lamp which may dry slower in a confined space with less exposure to moving air.

Once dry, put your lamp back together and treat it gently to avoid breaking or cracking the coating, as this damage could allow moisture to seep in once again.