The lava lamp is one of the most original decor items, which not only looks unusual but also gives a special light to the room. Lava lamps were invented a long time ago, but they are still popular today because for many it is entertaining to watch how unusual balls inside the liquid move like lava.
However, many users have many questions before buying a lava lamp or after, due to the peculiarity of its components. The most popular questions are can you leave a lava lamp on all night and can lava lamps explode or overheat? If these questions are relevant to you, then this article will help you.
What are lava lamps and how do they work?
Many questions and fears associated with a lava lamp primarily arise since people simply do not understand how exactly it works and how exactly this lava effect is obtained inside the water, which can make mistakes in use or, on the contrary, be afraid to use it in the right amount.
The principle of operation of the lamp lies in the components inside the lamp, namely the wax. The wax melts at the same time as the light bulb heats, which is also inside and as a result of its “melting”, the wax pieces begin to rise.
However, getting to the very top, the wax seems to cool down again and fall to the bottom.
This process is cyclical. You may notice that while the lava lamps are not turned on, the wax on them just settles at the bottom.
What is the liquid in lava lamps?
However, for many, the question remains, is there just water inside the glass container of the lava lamp?
Of course, the exact components of the mixture inside each lava lamp can vary depending on the manufacturer, but almost all have similar materials. The liquid inside the lava lamp, in which the light bulb heats, can be safely called a combination of water and oil.
Usually, almost all companies use paraffin and carbon to improve the consistency and density of the mixture. Also, depending on the desires of the designer, dyes or, for example, small details in the form of sparkles can be added.
Lava lamps VS regular night lamps
Let’s start with the fact that lava lamps and ordinary night lights have completely different possibilities. A lava lamp can warm a small room with a pleasant soft light, while ordinary night lamps are more likely to simply illuminate the room. However, night lights are cheaper and therefore may be suitable for those who simply want to add light at night.
Moreover, some lamps use mineral oil and water in the same way as a lava lamp. However, lava lamps are characteristically larger and have the effect of physical lava bubbles inside that other lamps do not.
Which lamp suits you best depends on your preferences and needs. If you want an extra warm resource, you enjoy watching a lava lamp, and you responsibly use it, then of course choose a lava lamp.
However, if, for example, you do not like lamps that emit heat, you are also afraid that the lamp may explode and you are not sure that you can be careful enough, it is better to stop at ordinary night light lamps.
Why do I get a hot lava lamp?
Most lava lamps heat oil and water to create a lava effect inside the glass container, which can make you feel unusually warm when you approach the lamps.
However, because the lamp inside heats up on its own, the high temperature of the lamp cannot harm you if you do not touch it.
Furthermore, the lava lamp takes up to six hours to reach its maximum temperature, so you can leave a lava lamp activated and don’t have to worry about the heat during that time.
What will happen if lava lamps are activated for too long?
Although everyone really likes the effect of the lava lamp and it really relaxes from which you don’t want to turn it off for as long as possible, and it’s still very dangerous to do it.
One of the worst consequences if you decide to leave a lava lamp activated for too long is the risk of the lamp heating up too much and eventually bursting into flames.
What should you know before leaving a lava lamp work at night?
If you still want to leave a lava lamp activated as a night light resource, then check out the information below to make sure it’s safe for you.
Safety
If you have a portable type of lamp that does not need to be plugged into an outlet, you can turn it on at night.
However, if you want to have a lit lava lamp on all night, you need to be ready to troubleshoot at any time. Therefore, you need to place lava lamps near the place where you sleep.
Temperature
Also, before leaving a lava lamp on all night, you need to check what temperature is in your room.
Critical low or high temperatures can degrade the performance of lava lamps, affecting the wax or breaking the lamp itself.
Allergies
Also, the heat that is lava lamps’ work product is not favorable for allergy sufferers.
If you have a stuffy nose or throat problem, a lava lamp can make your condition worse, so don’t run the lamp all night when you can’t monitor your condition closely.
Health
If due to health problems, such as bad eyesight or intolerance to excessive heat, you cannot turn on the lamp for a long time, you should not try to fall asleep with its light.
Lava lamps are designed as decoration, they have no positive effect on your health, so don’t risk yourself.
Lava lamps overheat and explode
Also, for the correct use of a lava lamp, you need to understand what exactly can cause an overheated lava lamp and why can lava lamps explode.
Direct sunlight
The first thing that can cause a lava lamp to break and subsequently explode in direct sunlight.
As you know, lava lamps heat up inside, and if you add solar heat to this heating, then the lamp simply cannot withstand such a high temperature.
Rollover
Also, what can cause an explosion and even a fire is an overturned lava lamp that has been turned on.
Firstly, the liquid itself will be very hot, and secondly, if there are materials nearby that are easily flammable, then ignition from the liquid of the lamp and other materials can occur.
Submersion in water
Also, you should never put a lava lamp, that has just been turned off, into water.
Lava lamps that have not yet been placed in water will overheat and an explosion may occur since the water itself will become a block for heat dissipation, from which the temperature of the lamps may rise.
Electrical fire
You should always keep an eye on the electrical system and the lava lamp connected to it.
If your lava lamps aren’t working properly due to electrical problems, they can carry those problems through the outlet they’re plugged into and eventually start an electrical fire.
Precautions for using a lava lamp
Using a lava lamp requires you to understand how to properly follow safety rules so as not to damage the lamp itself and not injure yourself. There is a list of these rules below.
Light bulb
You don’t need to place a light bulb that is heated on the lamp’s base, because the heat of the lamp position itself can start to melt, causing the glass of the lava lamps to even fall and break.
Schedule of turning off
Try to create a schedule for when you will leave a lava lamp activated. If you randomly use, then do not use lava lamps, the temperature inside may not have time to drop, from which, as a result, the lamp may simply worsen its work. It is better after long use, for example, 5 hours, to allow the lamp to cool down for the same amount of time.
Cleaning method
Use only a regular soft cloth to clean your lava lamp. If you use hard materials for lava lamps, such as brushes, you can scratch the glass, the base of the lamp, from which its performance can be significantly impaired. Also, use either soap solutions or solutions specially made for cleaning glass.
Own safety
If you had turned the lava lamp on all night, then in the morning try to wait until it cools down and only then touch it. As you understand, the liquid inside the glass shell is heated to melt the wax, that is, the temperature of the lava lamps is extremely high, and if you touch it in this position, you will most likely get a serious burn.
Solid position
Put the lava lamp in the place that is most convenient for you and you do not need to constantly move it. When lava lamps are constantly moved from one place to another, the wax inside begins to mix with oils and water from shaking. After that, you will notice that the lava lamps work without the effects of the large wax balls’ movement.
Type of oil mixture
Make sure in advance that when changing the oil inside the lava lamp, you are sure that you have selected the correct type of this oil.
If oil, which is a different type from what is already inside, is added to the lava lamp, it will begin to stand out and, as a result, the lamp will stop working normally.
You can find out what kind of oil you need from the manufacturer of your lava lamp model.
Unplugging
Also, never leave a lava lamp plugged into an outlet if you have turned off the button. You must understand that lava lamps if connected to an electrician, remain activated, which may cause a problem not only with the lamp itself but also with the electrical system as a whole.
Influence of night lava lamp usage on its lifespan
If you leave the lava lamp on all night, you should be prepared for the fact that its working period will decrease.
The lava lamp simply will not have time to cool down, from which the wax inside can simply begin to deteriorate and, under the constant influence of high temperature, mix with water and oils.
Also, the lamp itself may begin to deform and the structure, if it is made of plastic, may begin to melt.
Conclusion
A lava lamp is a great solution to add a special atmosphere to your room that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional as it can add warmth to your home. However, it is important to understand how to properly use this lamp, so as not to be upset later on by its breakdown or health problems due to excessive use of lava lamps.
We hope that after reading this article questions like “can you leave a lava lamp on all night?” and “can lava lamps overheat and explode?” will no longer be relevant to you and now you fully understand how to safely be content with this lamp.
FAQ
Is a lava lamp a fire hazard?
Yes, the lava lamp can be a fire hazard if used incorrectly. Especially if you neglect safety precautions.
How long should a lava lamp stay on?
The lava lamp should be active for no more than 6 hours, and if you have reached the end, then let it cool completely so as not to damage the wax.
Are lava lamps toxic?
No, because the materials inside the lamp are harmless they are water, oil, and wax. However, you can still suffer from the lamp if, for example, you touch it when it has been on for a long time.
Can I touch a lava lamp?
You can safely touch the lava lamp only if it has not been working for a long time or has just started. If you feel warm from it, it is better not to touch it without gloves, so as not to get hurt.
