If you have been shopping for the best air purifier, you have no doubt encountered the Himalayan salt lamp. This may leave you to wonder how the Himalayan salt air purifier works and just how effective it is. Although, for other options, read our Philips GoPure compact 200 review and our Magic Clean air purifier review.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Himalayan salt air purifiers, otherwise known as Himalayan salt lamps, release negative ions into the atmosphere, making them a distant cousin of ionic air purifiers.
- Negative ions have been shown to purify the air, though the science is still out on just how effective these salt lamps are.
- One thing is for certain, Himalayan salt lamps can be an extremely attractive addition to your home.
What is a Himalayan Salt Lamp?
A Himalayan salt lamp is a decorative lamp for your home that has been purported to be effective as an air purifier.
Insider Tip
The lamps naturally release negatively charged ions into the atmosphere, due to being made from ancient salt harvested from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan.
How Does a Himalayan Salt Lamp Work?
These salt lamps do actually purify the air in a manner similar to how an ionic air purifier works. The lamps naturally release negatively charged ions into the atmosphere, due to being made from ancient salt harvested from the Khewra Salt Mine in Pakistan. These ions work to purify the air immediately surrounding the lamp. You might also be interested in an air purifier with UV germicidal irradiation, which is good at removing airborne pathogens.
Benefits of a Himalayan Salt Lamp
There are a number of reasons why these Himalayan salt lamps have caught on in recent years, though scientists are still debating just how effective they are at purifying air when compared to traditional air purifiers.
Insider Tip
Himalayan salt lamps release negative ions into the air, similar to what an ionic air purifier does.
Improved Air Quality
Though the science is still out as to how effective these lamps are at purifying air, there is no dispute regarding whether or not they work at all. Himalayan salt lamps release negative ions into the air, similar to what an ionic air purifier does. It is not a question of if these lamps work to improve the air quality, but just how good they are at doing it. We would recommend exercising caution when looking to purchase one of these lamps as a cure-all for respiratory health ailments, as there are still many tests to be performed to judge effectiveness. For another option that cleans the air for your entire house, you may consider installing a whole-house air purifier.
Increased Aesthetics
One of the key benefits of owning a Himalayan salt lamp is that they simply look fantastic. Putting one of these in your home will certainly increase the overall ambiance. Additionally, they are available in a number of shapes and sizes to suit nearly any living space. The look of these lamps can help to create a relaxing atmosphere, which can help to brighten moods and improve sleep quality. The light they put out is also relatively dim, which can help you limit light during the evening as you prepare to go to bed.
Decreased Cost
These lamps tend to be on the cheaper side, making them a great option for consumers who are just looking to experiment. For pricier options with more data to back their efficacy, check out our air purifier with Bipolar ionization technology resource guide.
Warning
We would recommend exercising caution when looking to purchase one of these lamps as a cure-all for respiratory health ailments, as there are still many tests to be performed to judge effectiveness.
F.A.Q.
Are there any health benefits to Himalayan salt lamps?
There are health benefits of using an air purifier, even an ionic air purifier, though these benefits may not translate to a salt lamp. The jury is still out, in other words.
So how do Himalayan salt lamps work, exactly?
Himalayan salt lamps release negative ions into the room. These negative ions can attach themselves to airborne particles, neutralizing them and weighing them down so they no longer remain in the atmosphere.
What’s so special about Himalayan salt?
It is really, really old. Himalayan salt is said to be millions and millions of years old. As salt ages, the minerals it includes tend to increase.
STAT: Ionizers could also reduce the prevalence of surface and airborne bacteria in refrigerators, according to a 2009 study. (source)
