How Do I Choose Between Fragrance Lamps and Salt Lamps?
Posted: Thursday, February 25, 2010
by Terri Atwell
Kkat Ventures LLC
Fragrance lamps and salt lamps are both enjoying a lot of popularity these days. Both have some very good benefits but which one to choose? I will try to give the reader some information to help them make a better choice for their respective situations. Fragrance lamps have been around since the mid 1800's, when their primary use was to help reduce the bad smells in the hospitals and morgues. By a catalytic process (a catalyst is a chemical substance that increases or decreases the rate of a chemical reaction), bad smell molecules are decomposed into harmless substances like CO2 and water. In more modern times fragrance has been added to the alcohol-based fuel to scent the air at the same time. It has also been found that after the initial lighting of the lamp up to 85% of bacteria continue to be eliminated from the air for approximately 30 hours.
Salt lamps are basically a piece of mined salt that has been hollowed out to make room for a tealight or small light bulb (5-25 watts). The mined salt usually comes from the Himalayas, Russia or central Europe and the finished lamps range in colors from salmon-pink to pale orange. By heating these lamps negative ions are produced. Negative ions combine with pollutants, making them heavy so that they fall to the ground and are unable to be inhaled. This is especially beneficial for allergy sufferers and asthmatics. Negative ions also help increase blood flow to the brain sharpening concentration.
Crystal salt lamps are made from rock salt that has been refined to a greater degree. In ancient times this crystal rock salt was reserved for royalty; the common person only had ordinary rock salt but the lamps work exactly the same. By lighting a candle or a bulb the salt lamp is heated gently; this is what leads to the emission of the negative ions. The lamps with a small bulb are better for ionization because more surface area is illuminated for a longer time; electrical precautions must be followed. Of course if you are using a candle salt lamp you will have a small flame and the usual precautions must be taken. There is no scent given off with salt lamps because no added fuel is used, but the air does seem to "smell" fresher after use.
In conclusion, both types of lamps help remove odors from the air; fragrance lamps also help reduce the amount of bacteria in the air. Fragrance lamps can perfume the air but not salt lamps-they make the air seem fresher. Both fragrance lamps and candle salt lamps have an open flame and precautions must be taken; however the flame is blown out on the fragrance lamp after 3 minutes. The alcohol-based fuel and its vapors are highly flammable; there is no fuel involved in burning a salt lamp. Bothlamps are beautiful additions to any home or office.
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Top-level comments on this article: (4 total)This is really interesting. Thank you for sharing the information.You are welcome! I felt it was nice for people to know the differences--I didn't until I did the research!
Very interesting Terri - I am glad you e-mailed me to take a peek! Informative and sounds like both could be very helpful.Thanks so much for reading! I'm tempted to get one of each!they sound beneficial and pretty too!
I used to use the salt lamps, then I got one of those electric room conditioners. They are supposed to blow out negative ions to keep the air pure. I guess it works, it doesn't have any smell, so I can't tell if it does anything or not. Thanks for your informative article- EllaThanks for reading! Maybe the only way to tell if it is working for you is to stop using it and see if in a week or so you notice any change or difference in your concentration, mood, etc.
Good piece - enjoying it a second time here in reader's Club - read it the first time because I am in your fan club.
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