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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think salt lamps are a liability

82 replies

Sera1989 · 02/03/2024 11:19

Sitting working and I hear a bang from the other room. The salt lamp has presumably short-circuited, set off the breaker and left a big brown burn mark on the shelf.
In the winter it's cold and the lamp gets damp, in the summer it's humid and the lamp gets damp. Every now and then I put it in the oven on low to dry it out, which seems like a lot of work for a lamp. It doesn't stay completely dry unless I have it on all day every day.

AIBU to think it's dangerous to have an electrical object which gets damp unless it's on and hot all the time? I don't think I'll be getting a new fitting for it, the pretty glow isn't worth getting electrocuted

OP posts:
DonnaBanana · 02/03/2024 16:10

I had one and it was absolutely bone dry the whole time. How does a giant block of salt even go soggy. I did used to keep licking my fingers to taste it though so maybe I was a horse in my past life

Pocketfullofdogtreats · 02/03/2024 16:13

DD had one in her room and it was always sitting in a puddle. Was a pita.

WellOwlBeDamned · 02/03/2024 16:24

<rushes past pursued by donkeyhoetay but managing a quick salty high five for DSD>

<donkey high hooves Donna as it gallops through>

sonjadog · 02/03/2024 16:55

I have had one for probably ten years and it hasn't puddled or melted or really done anything at all! I didn't realise this was a problem with them.

Laiste · 02/03/2024 17:17

I had no.idea about any of this !! I was going to buy one in Tesco this week.

One of my DDs (20 something) has one (pink) in her bedroom and i've noticed she has it lit all the time. I thought it was because when she gets back late and the house is dark it's nice to come in to the glow in her room ... maybe not - maybe she knows it'll melt if it gets cold or damp!

<mental note to ask her when she gets in later>

GreyCarpet · 02/03/2024 17:18

I've had two. One I was bought and one I was gifted.

They both went the same way - fine to begin with but eventually always felt wet to the touch (like the inside of a cave) and were eventually found sitting in a puddle of pinkish water. I tried moving them to warmer rooms and it made no difference.

I love them but wouldn't have another.

RitaFires · 02/03/2024 17:23

I had no idea salt lamps could dissolve into a puddle. I have 2 and neither have ever seemed wet. I do try and air the house a lot and have a dehumidifier so maybe that's a factor.

GreyCarpet · 02/03/2024 17:24

RitaFires · 02/03/2024 17:23

I had no idea salt lamps could dissolve into a puddle. I have 2 and neither have ever seemed wet. I do try and air the house a lot and have a dehumidifier so maybe that's a factor.

I aired the house all the time and left them on pretty much constantly to try and keep them warm and dry. But I live in an old Victorian house. It doesn't feel damp but it must be!

MyLastRoloIsMine · 02/03/2024 17:30

Soubriquet · 02/03/2024 15:30

Yeah what is the actual point of them?

You could say the same for any lamp really, or even any ornaments or pictures 🤷

Charlize43 · 02/03/2024 17:35

Certainly a liability - If you throw it over your shoulder you could concuss someone... Generally spilt salt is said to attract bad juju.

DSD9472 · 02/03/2024 17:59

MyLastRoloIsMine · 02/03/2024 17:30

You could say the same for any lamp really, or even any ornaments or pictures 🤷

Show quote history

I asked the same question! I knew that were a fad about 10yrs ago and I assumed they must have some 'supposed' air cleaning property or benefit other than just being a light?

Original poster
Sera1989 · 02/03/2024 22:04

Charlize43 · 02/03/2024 17:35

Certainly a liability - If you throw it over your shoulder you could concuss someone... Generally spilt salt is said to attract bad juju.

Nearly did a bad juju when I was startled by the loud bang😂

OP posts:
Original poster
Sera1989 · 02/03/2024 22:11

I won't be getting it PAT tested, I doubt it will turn on again and I'm not going to try plugging it in ⚡ the metal parts are all rusty. I was going to give it away with the spare bulbs but without the fitting so someone could buy a better fitting. But on inspection, the salt has actually cracked right through in one part so it might be a goner

OP posts:
NoOrdinaryMorning · 02/03/2024 22:34

This reply has been deleted

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Ελλe · 03/03/2024 07:17

We have the same problem in that ours gets very damp, although it’s never short circuited. We live in a really old house prone to condensation issues so I’ve always put it down to that and would agree maybe there’s more of a condensation issue going on?

LaurieFairyCake · 03/03/2024 07:36

I've got 6!

They've never even had a film of moisture on them, no wetness at all - there are some really damp houses on this thread

Mystro202 · 03/03/2024 08:04

A big chunk just fell off ours, probably 1/4 of the thing. I got mineral glue in the hope of sticking it back together but unfortunately that hasn't worked as it's so heavy. Also the bulb has gone and I haven't even looked to see where a bulb goes or what type of bulb. We have it about 3 years now. Nice to look at but a bit of trouble alright ime 😅

Original poster
Sera1989 · 03/03/2024 16:46

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Oh 🙁I live by the sea and feel I've done well so far to avoid condensation/mould but for the past couple of winters I've felt the pinch because I live alone. Is 17 degrees during the day too cold to avoid damp?

OP posts:
SonyaBoot · 03/03/2024 18:49

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at OP's request.

FluffyToesMeow · 03/03/2024 18:52

pickledandpuzzled · 02/03/2024 11:53

Really?! I had no idea!

Me either!

SonyaBoot · 03/03/2024 18:54

This reply has been withdrawn

Withdrawn at OP's request.

Yourethebeerthief · 03/03/2024 19:12

Damp? Salty puddles?

Wtf are you all doing to your lamps.

I have one with a dimmer switch. Gives a nice rosy glow in the bedroom when I need a soft light. Have had it for years and never heard of such problems.

MohairTortoise · 03/03/2024 19:19

Salt lamps are designed to be on 24/7. I have one, and apart from changing the bulb every few years, it just sits there giving off a warm glow. There's no maintenance to them.
Any salt will attract moisture and kind of dissolve when wet.

Davros · 03/03/2024 19:21

How would that work with a candle one? You can't leave it on 24hrs

Crunchymum · 03/03/2024 19:23

Kept ours up high due to daft cats, but decided after it fell off the shelf and smashed a big hole in one of the units it was too much of a danger.

It didn't melt / puddle / dissolve but it probably would have caused serious injury if it landed on anyone.

Plus it took pissy, stupid little batteries that I could only find in packs of 12. I wanted 1 or 2? So now I have 11 teeny weeny little light bulbs that DD wants to use in her Sylvanian Family house.