Guide
Care Guide
Salt is a soft, moisture-absorbing material, which means care for a salt lamp differs from care for most other home decor. This page collects the routine habits that keep a lamp in good condition; the linked articles go into more detail on specific issues.
The one habit that matters most
Running the lamp for a few hours a day, ideally including some overnight use, keeps the crystal's surface warm enough to evaporate ambient moisture before it accumulates. This single habit does more for a lamp's long-term condition than any cleaning routine.
Cleaning
Dust with a dry, soft cloth or soft-bristled brush. Avoid water wherever possible, since salt dissolves and any wet-cloth contact will etch the surface over time. The full cleaning guide covers this step by step.
Managing humidity
A damp or "sweating" lamp is normal in humid rooms and is not a sign of a defective product. It happens most in bathrooms, kitchens, and humid climates, and is best managed by running the lamp consistently or relocating it to a drier spot. See why salt lamps sweat for the full explanation.
Protecting furniture underneath. A small dish, coaster, or waterproof mat under the base is a sensible precaution in any room prone to humidity, regardless of how well the lamp itself is managed.
Bulbs
Most lamps use a standard E14 fitting. Wattage should match lamp size — roughly 15W for small lamps up to 40W or more for large ones — both for correct brightness and because bulb heat is what keeps the crystal dry. Incandescent bulbs generally outperform LEDs here specifically because of that heat output. Details are in the bulb and wattage guide.
Storage
If a lamp needs to be stored rather than displayed, an airtight or well-sealed container is worth using in humid climates. In drier conditions, a regular cupboard is generally sufficient.