Has your salt lamp stopped working, or do you want a spare bulb in the house? In this article you'll learn which bulb goes in a salt lamp, how many watts you need and how to replace the bulb in a few minutes.
In short: a salt lamp almost always uses an E14 incandescent bulb (small fitting, 230 V). Choose 7 watts for night lights, 15 watts for salt lamps up to 20 kg and 25 watts for large salt lamps from 20 kg.
Which bulb goes in a salt lamp?
Most salt lamps have an E14 fitting: the small screw fitting you may also know from candle bulbs. Quickly check this on your old bulb or on the fitting itself.
Why an incandescent bulb and not an LED?
A salt lamp needs not only light, but also a little heat. Salt attracts moisture from the air. The heat from an incandescent bulb lets that moisture evaporate again, so your lamp stays dry. An LED bulb barely gets warm, which makes a salt lamp more likely to 'sweat' or leak. Read more in Why is my salt lamp leaking?
Small USB salt lamps are an exception: they have a built-in LED light.
How many watts do you need?
- 7 watts: salt stone night lights, such as the Dolphin and the Tulip.
- 15 watts: salt lamps and shaped lamps up to about 20 kg.
- 25 watts: large salt lamps from about 20 kg.
Our E14 incandescent bulb is available in all three wattages and gives an extra warm light of 2100 K, which suits the colour of the salt beautifully.
Not sure? Then choose the same wattage as the bulb that's in it now. Never use a higher wattage than stated on the fitting or cable.
How to replace the bulb in 5 steps
- Unplug. Always remove the plug from the socket first.
- Let it cool. An incandescent bulb gets hot. Wait until the bulb and the salt stone have cooled down.
- Tilt the lamp. Carefully lay the salt lamp on its side on a towel, so the underside with the fitting is accessible.
- Remove the fitting, swap the bulb. Gently pull the fitting out of the opening in the stone, unscrew the old bulb and screw in the new one.
- Put it back and test. Push the fitting back into the opening, stand the lamp upright and plug it back into the socket.
You'll find more information about the fitting in the E14 fitting and heat source instructions.
Salt lamp won't turn on? Check the following
- Bulb: is the filament broken or black? Replace the bulb.
- Bulb secure? Check that the bulb is screwed properly into the fitting.
- Switch and cable: if a new bulb doesn't work either, the problem is probably the switch or cable. Replace the complete cable: choose a white or black power cable with on/off switch.
- Moisture or salt deposits on the fitting: don't clean the fitting with water yourself. If the fitting is corroded, replace the cable.
Tip: keep a spare bulb at home
An incandescent bulb doesn't last forever. With a spare bulb you can get your salt lamp glowing again straight away. That's also good for the lamp itself: the less time it's switched off, the lower the chance of moisture.
Frequently asked questions
Can I put an LED bulb in my salt lamp?
It will fit, but we don't recommend it. An LED bulb gives off too little heat, which makes your salt lamp retain moisture more quickly.
Can I use a stronger bulb for more light?
Use the wattage that suits the size of your lamp (7, 15 or 25 watts) and never more than stated on the fitting or cable.
My bulb keeps burning out. Why is that?
Check that the bulb is securely in place and that the fitting is clean and dry. If it keeps happening, replace the cable with fitting.
