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FAQ's - Mathmos Lava Lamps

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GENERAL LAVA LAMP FAQs

  1. Q. Can I buy replacement parts for my lava lamp?
    A. Yes Mathmos lava lamps are designed to last please buy replacement parts here.
  2. Q. My lava lamp is faulty what can I do?
    A. Firstly read through these FAQs to see if your question has been answered. If not we offer a one year warranty on all our products and two years if bought direct from our websites. If your lamp is within the warranty period, please contact our customer service team who will be happy to assist. Please read our Faulty Product Returns Advice.
  3. Q. Why is my lava lamp cloudy?
    A. Lava lamps become cloudy for two reasons; either they have been shaken or moved whilst hot or they have reached the end of their life (2000 hours). You can purchase a replacement bottle for your lava lamp here.
  4. Q. Why does my lava lamp have specs and bubbles in the glass?
    A. Mathmos lava lamp bottles are manufactured in one of the highest quality automated bottling factories in Britain. Small bubbles are a normal part of this manufacturing process, it is not a fault.
  5. Q. What are the differences in quality between a Mathmos lava lamp and others?
    A. A different lava formulation giving better lava flow, longer life, clearer liquids and more vivid colours. The metal parts are of a thicker, higher grade metal allowing us to hand polish them to a high shine. Our bulbs are directional taking the heat away from the base and directing the light into the lava. We have a higher standard of safety and build quality audited by a number of different bodies. We provide a comprehensive range of spare parts unlike other throw away products. We have 56 years of British manufacturing excellence to draw on.
  6. Q. How long should it take for my lava lamp to warm up?
    A. Lava lamps should start working within an hour to an hour and a half of turning them on. First they will form stalagmite shapes, then they will start to form lava lamp shapes. Please note, new bottles will take longer to heat up (up to three hours), but the heating time will decrease after several uses.
  7. Q. My lava lamp just has one large bubble sitting at the top of the bottle that does not move?
    A. The lava lamp is overheated. It could have been on too long (more than 8 hours), so please turn it off and allow it too cool. Or it is positioned in a room that is too hot (more than 24 degrees) or next to a heater. Please reposition your lamp.

    lava stuck at the top

    .
  8. Q. How should I recycle my lava lamp bottle when it reaches the end of its life?
    A. Please make a hole in the metal cap with a sharp point, then pour away the liquid. The bottle may then be recycled through your local recycling centre.

    bottle throw away - dispose bottle

  9. Q. Can I buy new liquids for my lava lamp?
    A. Lava lamp bottles are a sealed unit and should not be tampered with. We do not sell the liquids separately, but you can buy a new bottle and contents for Mathmos lava lamps here.

    lava lamp liquid - new liquid lava lamp - refill - buy new liquids - buy new wax - buy new lava

  10. Q. Can I buy a new cap for my lava lamp bottle?
    A. Lava lamp bottles are a sealed unit and so we do not sell the cap separately, but you can buy a new bottle and contents here.

    lava lamp cap - cap lava lamp - buy cap

  11. Q. Why is my bottle not sitting straight in the base?
    A.

    Bottles are now supplied with a lip which runs around the lower part of the bottle, to ensure it will sit straight in the base. When the bottle is placed on the base, it should sit securely, although it will still be possible to move the bottle from side to side and a shadow gap may be visible.

    There are minute variations in bottle and base size over time so it may be that occasionally for some much older products a new bottle does not fit in the base. If your bottle isn't sitting in the base, please contact our customer service team.

    wonky lava lamp - wonky bottle - bottle wonky

  12. Q. How long do lava lamp bottles last?
    A. Mathmos Lava lamp bottles last for approximately 2000 hours of use. After this you can buy a replacement bottle here.

    lava lamp lifespan - lifespan lava lamp - lava lamp last

  13. Q. Where can I buy replacement bulbs for my Mathmos lava lamp?
    A. Mathmos have large stocks of replacement bulbs for our lava lamps available here.

    which bulb - buy bulb - which bulb do I need - broken bulb - faulty bulb

  14. Q. What is Mathmos doing about halogen bulb phase out?
    A. Don't worry whilst some halogen bulbs are being phased out for lighting purposes Mathmos uses halogen bulbs primarily to heat its lava lamps rather than to light them; so the use of halogen bulbs in our lava lamps is part of a special purpose exemption under current regulations. We have large stocks of these special purpose bulbs and we also have an ongoing supply. We also have alternative ways of powering our iconic lamps should there be further changes to the regulations in the future.

    bulb - halogen

  15. Q. Why don't you do replacement bottles in the colour I want?
    A. Mathmos have made a huge number of colourways over our long history, it is not possible to keep all the colours in stock. Please choose from the current range and sign up to our social media channels to be notified of limited releases of other colours.

    bespoke refills - bespoke colours - custom colours - custom refills - bottle colours - custom lava colours - bespoke lava colours - bespoke bottle colours - special colours

  16. Q. Do you offer custom refills?
    A. We are not able to offer this service on an ongoing basis however if you sign up to our social media channels we may issue selected annual dates for collectors to have bottles refilled.

    bespoke refills - bespoke colours - custom colours - custom refills - bottle colours - custom lava colours - bespoke lava colours - bespoke bottle colours - special colours

  17. Q. Why has my lava lamp made strange stalagmite shapes?
    A. This is a normal part of the warming up process. Please leave it on longer and then it will start to form moving lava shapes.

    strange lava - lava sticks

  18. Q. My lava lamp is not lighting up?
    A. Please check that your bulb is working. You may buy a new bulb here. Alternatively, please check the integrity of the fuse in the plug.

    lava lamp broken - lava lamp doesn't work - broken bulb - faulty bulb

  19. Q. Can I buy Mathmos lava lamps for delivery to the USA and Canada?
    A. Not at the moment but please sign up to our USA mailing list to be notified when you can buy from us here.

    usa lava lamps - canada lava lamps - lava lamps usa - lava lamps canada - america lava lamps - lava lamps america - lava lamp usa

  20. Q. Why can I see bubbles in the lava?
    A. Small bubbles in the lava are normal particularly when you first receive the lamp. As you use this over time the bubbles will reduce.
  21. Q. Why has the liquid in my bottle gone clear?
    A. Over time the dye in the lava liquid will fade, particularly if it is positioned in direct sunlight. If you lamp was bought within warranty and the instructions were followed please contact our customer service team. If your lamp is out of warranty you can buy a new bottle here.

    liquid clear - clear liquid

  22. Q. The liquid level of my lamp is too low. Can I top it up?
    A. No Mathmos lava lamp bottles are sealed units. Do not attempt to take off the cap and on no account top up the liquid. The heat from a lava lamp causes the liquid to expand and topping it up could cause the lamp to be overfilled and put pressure on the glass as the liquids expand. If you are not happy with your bottle buy a new one here.

    liquid low - liquid refill - top up liquid

  23. Q. Why is there wax sticking to the side of the bottle?
    A. If you use the lamp a few times this wax should join the rest of the lava. If this does not happen and your lamp was bought less than a year ago please contact us here. If you lamp is over a year old please buy a replacement bottle here.
  24. Q. Do you offer any colours in addition to what is shown on your website?
    A. No, however we do constantly add new colours so sign up to our mailing list to be notified of new colours as they are released. We do occasionally release short runs of special colours, please sign up to our social channels to be notified.

    bespoke bottles - special bottles - custom bottles - custom colour

  25. Q. Why can I see a metal spring coil floating in my lava lamp bottle?
    A. The metal spring is an essential component of a lava lamp bottle. However it should be sitting at the bottom of the bottle. Run the lamp for several hours and hopefully the spring will settle in its right place.

    metal coil in bottle - metal spring in bottle

  26. Q. Why can I see a foreign object in my new lava lamp bottle?
    A. There should not be anything other than lava and liquid in the bottle. Sometimes you can see darker specs in the lava as it is flowing. Each batch is individually made and these are dye particles that are sometimes present. These often fade over time. If you see anything else in your bottle, please contact customer services here.

    hair in lava lamp - hair in bottle - dirt in bottle - dirt in lava lamp

  27. Q. How old is my Lava Lamp?
    A. There have been many small changes in the manufacture of Mathmos lava lamps over our long period of production. Dating lava lamps is not something we can do for you. You might want to visit one of the specialist sites such as www.flowoflava.com to begin this process.
  28. Q. How can I clean my lava lamp?
    A. The bottle should be cleaned with glass cleaner and a cloth. The base and cap is aluminium so please use recomended products. If in doubt just use a soft cloth.

    clean lava lamp - polish lava lamp

  29. Q. My lava lamp broke on the floor. How do I clean it?
    A. Dispose of as much liquid and lava as you can remove from the floor. Then use recommended cleaning methods for removing coloured water and wax for whatever floor you have.

    bottle smashed - smashed bottle

  30. Q. Can I buy Bayonet fitting bulbs for my 1960s lamp?
    A. Yes you can, we had these specially made to ensure our 60s lamps can still be enjoyed, see here.

    bayonet bulb

  31. Q. The replacement bottle I ordered doesn't fit my lamp. Can I change it?
    A. Please contact customer services here.

    replace - change bottle - ordered wrong bottle

  32. Q. Can I buy new liquid and wax?
    A. No please buy a complete new bottle here.

    refill - liquid refill - refill liquid - refill bottle - bottle refill - buy liquid refill - buy bottle refill - buy new liquids - buy new wax - buy new lava

  33. Q. What is the lifespan of a bottle or bulb?
    A. Mathmos lava lamp bottles last 2000 hours. The life of the bulbs vary depending on usage but replacement bulbs are available to buy from here here.

    how long bottle - how long bulb - broken bulb - faulty bulb

  34. Q. Where is the Mathmos brand on my lava lamp?
    A. The Mathmos brand is on the plastic base and either printed on the product itself, on a brand label on the lead or etched on the glass.

    brand - logo - where

  35. Q. Why is there is a small gap between the base and the bottle?
    A. Some lamps have a shadow gap between the base and the bottle; this is normal.

    gap - base - bottle - rim

  36. Q. How do I recycle my lava lamp base?
    A. Why not buy a new bottle and bulb and reuse it? If you must recycle it, please take it to your nearest household recycling centre which has facilities available for recycling electrical waste.

    recycle - dispose

  37. Q. Why does my lava lamp colour look different to the picture?
    A. Mathmos lava lamp bottles are made by hand so there will be small variations in colour. Also bear in mind that colours look very different in the dark and in the light, our photographs are taken in the light.
  38. Q. Do you supply lamp holders for my base?
    A. Due to electrical safety regulations we are unable to supply lamp holders I’m afraid.
  39. Q. Has the formulation of Mathmos lava lamps changed?
    A. The formulation has improved since the 1960s making our lamps less likely to cloud in the heat or freeze in the cold. However we have not changed the formula in many years.
  40. Q. Why does my lava not flow / make lava shapes?
    A.
    1. Check your bulb is working
    2. Check you have positioned the lamp away from drafts, air conditioning or a window. Try the lamp in a new position in the room.
    3. Make sure the room is at least 20 degrees centigrade.
    4. The lamp will take longer to warm up the first few times; run the lamp for 4 – 6 hours each time.
    5. If you have an older base check the correct light source is fitted: see bulb section for the possible bulbs here.
    6. Check there is a coil at the bottom of the bottle.
  41. Q. What should I do if my lava lamp has been moved while being on and is now cloudy?
    A. Clouding in a bottle which has been moved when it is in use or still warm is irreparable. You can try and run the bottle for a few times to see if this will improve it. If this does not help, you can buy a new bottle here.
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Fireflow, Pod & Pod+

  1. Q. Which tealights should I use with my Fireflow / Pod?
    A. Tealights differ in Flame height, heating power and wick length. The larger tealights with a height of 15 mm work best. If you have a lower tea light you could try and raise its height by placing a coin under the tea light.
  2. Q. Will candle powered lava lamps work outside?
    A. Yes like any unprotected candle light you need a place with no wind.
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Telstar

  1. Q. I've lost the rubber protectors from the bottom of my Telstar. What can I do?
    A. Please contact customer services here.

    telstar rubber feet - telstar replacements - rubber feet telstar - rubber feet rocket

  2. Q. Why won't my new Telstar bottle fit on my old Telstar base?
    A. Bottles and base tolerances do vary a little over time. So it is possible that our new bottles may not fit older telstars please contact customer services here.

    bottle doesn't fit - bottle won't fit - wonky bottle

  3. Q. Can I buy replacement bulbs for my USA Telstar lamp?
    A. Not from us, I am afraid we suggest you look online in the US.

    Telstar American - American Telstar - rocket lava lamp - bulb Telstar - Telstar bulb USA

  4. Q. How can I clean my Mathmos Telstar lava lamp?
    A. Use a soft cloth on both the legs and body. Some older telstars have polished aluminium legs that tarnish over time, these can be cleaned with an aluminium cleaner.
  5. Q. How do I change a GU10 bulb in a Telstar lava lamp?
    A. Place the base on its feet and hold it at the outside of the bulb holder ( the plastic bit, where the cable comes out of the base ). Then take the bulb out by pressing the bulb down and turning the bulb to the left for a quarter turn.
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iO

  1. Q. Where is the Mathmos brand on my iO?
    A. The Mathmos branding is on the cast base.

    brand - logo - where

  2. Q. I have broken the iO glass shield, do you have spares?
    A. Yes Mathmos lava lamps are designed to last please buy replacement parts here.

    glass shield spare

  3. Q. Will a Lunar Bottle work on my iO?
    A. The iO and the Lunar use the same bottles and are interchangeable.

    bottle lunar

  4. Q. How can I clean my iO lava lamp?
    A. The bottle should be cleaned with glass cleaner and a cloth. Just use a soft cloth to clean the metal parts.

    clean lava lamp - polish lava lamp

  5. Q. I have lost the screw holding my iO together.
    A. You can use an Allen screw of the appropriate size (M4 x 8mm) or failing that buy another screw, or any other spare parts for your iO, here.
  6. Q. You don't provide a dimmer with the iO?
    A. The iO runs best at an ambient temperature between 20 and 25C and under these circumstances will not need a dimmer. Sometimes when the temperature is higher it may be better run the product with the lamp dimmed. Plug-in dimmers suitable for halogen lamps are available and can be used with the product.
  7. Q. I cannot get the cap to fit?
    A. Ensure that the cap is the correct way around and that the two arms are aligned and in the slots in the cap, before gently pushing down. Do not force it as this could damage your product. See assmebly video here.
  8. Q. Do I need to fit the glass shield?
    A. Yes, this is an integral safety component of the product.
  9. Q. The screws fixing my iO together stick out just a little, is this normal?
    A. They do vary a little so yes this can be normal.
  10. Q. How long should it take for my iO lava lamp to warm up?
    A. The iO Lava lamp should start working within two to two and a half hours of turning it on. First they will form stalagmite shapes, then they will start to form lava lamp shapes. Please note, new bottles will take longer to heat up (up to three hours), but the heating time will decrease after several uses. If your lava lamp does not warm up in this time it may be positioned in the wrong place or the room may be too cold. Lava lamps should be positioned away from drafts and air conditioning. The room should be at least 20 degrees centigrade.

    not working

  11. Q. I am having trouble changing the bulb
    A. Ensure that the product is unplugged and cool. At first glance the bulb looks too long, however, the contacts are spring loaded. Locate one end of the bulb on the pin and gently push, the other end of the lamp can then be located on the other pin. Refit the glass shield.

    bulb change

  12. Q. Do I need the heat ring?
    A. Yes, this is an essential part of the heating system for the lava.
  13. Q. How much does the iO Weigh?
    A. The iO weighs 9.9.kg.
  14. Q. What size is the iO?
    A. The iO is 780mm high and 240mm diameter.
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Neo & Neo Wall

  1. Q. Are Mathmos lava lamps suitable for children?
    A. The only lava lamp suitable for children is the Mathmos Neo. The Neo was designed with children in mind, so as well as looking stylish it is also shatterproof, has fixture points, doesn’t get too hot, and is screwed together as a secure unit. This means the lamp has passed the stringent safety checks needed to be classified as child-safe, something no other lava lamp in the UK is classified as.  We recommend other lava lamps be placed well out of reach of children under 14.

    age limit - kids

  2. Q. Can I use the Neo bottles in my Telstar or Astro Baby lava lamps?
    A. No Neo formulation is different the bottles will overheat in other models and Astro Baby and Telstar bottles will run slowly or not at all in Neo.
  3. Q. I am having trouble fitting my Neo together.
    A. Remember to put the cap and back element on top of the bottle before you put it on the base. Please see the Instructions tab.
  4. Q. I have lost the screw holding my Neo together.
    A. You can use an Allen key of the appropriate size or failing that buy another screw, or any other spare parts for Neo.
  5. Q. Neo’s bottle looks a little different to the other Mathmos lava lamp bottles why?
    A. It has a shatterproof coating, this helps hold the glass together should the bottle be dropped and break. Buy more bottles here.
  6. Q. Why does my Neo not come on immediately?
    A. A slight delay before the light comes on is normal with halogen bulbs.
  7. Q. What makes Neo qualify for a certificate for all ages unlike other lava lamps?
    A. Several stringent criteria must be met to achieve this, for example; the bulb should not be accessible without a tool, it must be low voltage not mains voltage, it must be very stable, it must have a shatterproof coating on the glass, the bottle must be attached to the base and it must not be too hot.
  8. Q. Can I easily change Neo’s bottle and bulb when they end their lives?
    A. Yes undo the screw at the back with the Allan key provided then Neo comes apart and you can access both the halogen capsule bulb and the bottle. Remember to wait until the product is cold to do this. Buy spare parts here.
  9. Q. There is a little light bleed from the joints at the back of Neo, is this normal?
    A. Yes it is.
  10. Q. The screw fixing Neo together sticks out just a little, is this normal?
    A. They do vary a little so yes this can be normal.
  11. Q. Is it possible to connect my Neo Wall directly to the mains without the supplied power supply?
    A. Under no circumstances must the cable be cut off the Neo wall and the product directly connected to the household mains wiring. The product is a low voltage (class III) product and must be connected to the supplied power supply to function safely and correctly.
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Discontinued Products

  1. Q. My Jet lava lamp isn't working, what can I do?
    A. You may be able to buy bulbs for your jet here. Otherwise, I'm afraid we can't help; the jet was discontinued many years ago.

    jet lava lamp broken - jet lava lamp replacement - jet replacement

  2. Q. Can you fix my Smart Astro?
    A. Please contact us here to discuss this.

    smart astro replacement - broken smart astro - faulty smart astro

  3. Q. Will a replacement bottle fit my 1960s Copper Astro or Lantern?
    A. Yes it should do.
  4. Q. Can I buy Bayonet fitting bulbs for my 1960s lamp?
    A. Yes you can, we had these specially made to ensure our 60s lamps can still be enjoyed, see here.

    bayonet bulb

  5. Q. Can I buy a glitter bottle?
    A. Glitter bottles are not currently available.
  6. Q. Can I buy replacement bottles/bulbs for my 3-in-1 lava lamp?
    A. Whilst we do not have stock of the bottles or bulbs for this discontinued product you can buy regular bulbs and bottles here.

    three in one - 3 in one - 3 in 1

  7. Q. Can I buy a new glass heat shield for my fluidium?
    A. We do not supply this part currently. The heat shield is no longer required if the lamp is used with the current Fluidium bulb. New bulbs for the Fluidium can be bought here.

    fluidium parts - fluidium replacements

  8. Q. Can I get a new dimmer for my Lunar?
    A. We do not currently supply this part for the discontinued Lunar.

    dimmer lunar - lunar dimmer

  9. Q. Can I buy a replacement bottle for my Jet?
    A. We are afraid that Mathmos no longer stocks replacement bottles for the discontinued Jet model.

    jet bottle - bottle jet

  10. Q. Can I buy a replacement bottle for my Lunar?
    A. Yes these are available here.

    lunar bottle - rocket bottle - bottle lunar

 
 
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