Make An Aroma Lamp At Home: Easy Steps For Beginners

Aroma lamps are a great way to fill your home with the scent of your choice. They use a gentle heat source to warm essential oils, allowing you to inhale and absorb their healing properties through aromatherapy. You can easily make your own aroma lamp at home with a few simple materials: a perforated ceramic or glass tea candle holder, a small flame-resistant glass bowl, and your choice of pure essential oils.

Use a perforated ceramic or glass tea candle holder

To make an aroma lamp at home, you can use a perforated ceramic or glass tea candle holder. This will act as the base of your aroma lamp. The perforations, or holes, in the tea candle holder allow the candle to breathe and ensure that the flame gets enough air. It is important that the tea candle holder has an open top so that the heat from the candle flame can rise. Additionally, the tea candle holder should be made of a flame-resistant material, such as ceramic or glass, to ensure safe use.

Once you have selected your tea candle holder, you will need to find a small glass bowl or tea cup plate that can sit securely on top of it. Very small dessert bowls work well for this purpose. The thicker the glass or ceramic of the bowl, the longer it will take for the candle to heat it, so keep that in mind when choosing your materials. Similar to the tea candle holder, it is important that the bowl or plate is made of flame-resistant material.

Place the tea candle in the holder and then put the small glass bowl on top. Add 10 drops of your chosen essential oil into the glass bowl. You can also use a tea cup with a well in the centre, where the oil can be added. Light the candle, and the heat from the flame will warm the glass or ceramic, causing the essential oil to slowly evaporate and fill your home with its scent.

Remember to always use pure essential oils, as synthetic oils do not provide the same aromatherapy benefits. You can find pure essential oils online or in health food stores. Additionally, always exercise caution when using your aroma lamp. The glass or ceramic bowl can become extremely hot, so be careful not to burn your fingers. Make sure that there is clearance between the flame and the bowl to avoid direct contact, as this can create a fire hazard. Always extinguish the candle before leaving the room.

Place a small glass bowl or tea cup plate on top

Now, carefully place a small glass bowl or a teacup plate on top of the tea candle holder. It is important to ensure that the bowl or plate sits securely and does not wobble. Very small dessert bowls work well for this purpose. Alternatively, you can use a ceramic teacup plate with a well in the centre. Keep in mind that thicker glass or ceramic will take longer to heat up, so opt for thinner materials if you want faster results. Flame-resistant materials are crucial for safety.

Once you have placed the bowl or plate securely on top of the tea candle holder, you are ready to move on to the next step. Add 10 drops of your chosen essential oil into the glass bowl or the tea cup well. If you are using a tea cup plate with a well, carefully drip the essential oil into the well, ensuring it does not overflow. The type of essential oil you choose is entirely up to your preference, whether you want a refreshing or relaxing aroma.

At this point, your aroma lamp setup is almost complete. All that's left to do is light the tea candle! The heat from the candle flame will gently warm the glass or ceramic, causing the essential oil to evaporate slowly and fill your space with a delightful fragrance. Remember to always keep an eye on your aroma lamp while it is in use. If you need to leave the room, be sure to extinguish the candle to avoid any potential hazards.

If you notice that the oil has completely evaporated and you wish to continue enjoying the aromatic benefits, safely extinguish the candle and allow the oil holder to cool down before adding more oil. Always use pure essential oils purchased from reputable sources, such as online stores or health food stores. Avoid synthetic oils, as they do not offer the same therapeutic benefits as natural essential oils.

Add 10 drops of essential oil

Once you have set up your aroma lamp, it's time to add the essential oil. For this step, you will need a pure essential oil of your choice. Avoid synthetic oils, as these do not have the same aromatherapy benefits as natural, plant-derived oils.

Add 10 drops of your chosen essential oil to the glass bowl or tea cup well. If you are using a classic aroma lamp with a candle, you can then light the candle. The heat from the flame will warm the bowl or cup, causing the oil to evaporate and diffuse throughout the room.

If you are using an electric aroma lamp, simply plug it in after adding the essential oil. The electric lamp will heat the oil, releasing its molecules into the air as a gentle, bacteria-eliminating fragrance.

You can add more or less essential oil depending on the strength of the fragrance you desire. Remember, moderation is key. Too much oil can be overwhelming, while too little may not be enough to scent your space effectively.

If you are using a candle-powered aroma lamp, remember to keep an eye on the oil level. Once the oil has evaporated completely, extinguish the candle and wait for the oil holder to cool before adding more.

Light the candle

Once you have assembled your aroma lamp, it's time to light the candle and enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy. Here is a step-by-step guide to lighting and using your aroma lamp safely:

• Ensure your tea candle is properly secured in the perforated ceramic or glass holder. The perforations are essential as they allow the candle to breathe and stay lit.
• Place the small glass bowl or tea cup plate securely on top of the candle holder. Remember to use flame-resistant materials for both the holder and the bowl.
• Before lighting the candle, add 10 drops of your chosen essential oil to the glass bowl or tea cup well. You can find pure essential oils online or in health food stores. Avoid synthetic oils as they do not offer the same aromatherapy benefits.
• Now, carefully light the tea candle. Always use a tea candle, as other types of candles, like votive candles, may not be suitable.
• Enjoy the soothing aroma! As the candle warms the glass or ceramic bowl, the essential oil will slowly evaporate, filling the air with its scent.

Important Safety Precautions:

• Always keep an eye on your aroma lamp while it is lit. Never leave a burning candle unattended.
• Extinguish the candle if you leave the room.
• Don't touch the oil-holding bowl during or immediately after use, as it can become extremely hot.
• Ensure there is clearance between the candle flame and the bowl above. Direct contact with the flame can cause the bowl to crack or break, creating a fire hazard.
• If the oil evaporates completely, extinguish the candle and let the oil-holder cool before adding more oil.

Safety precautions and best practices

• Always use a tea candle instead of a votive candle. Tea candles are designed to be contained within a holder, which is safer for this type of application.
• Ensure that the tea candle holder is made of a flame-resistant material such as perforated ceramic or glass. The perforations are important to allow the candle to breathe.
• Use a small glass bowl or tea cup plate that can securely fit on top of the tea candle holder. This will hold the essential oils and should also be made of flame-resistant material.
• Always add essential oils before lighting the candle. Start with 10 drops and add more as needed, but remember to extinguish the candle and let the oil holder cool down before adding more oil.
• Never touch the oil-holding bowl during or after use, as it can get extremely hot and cause burns.
• Ensure there is clearance between the flame and the container. Direct contact with the flame can cause the container to crack or split, creating a fire hazard.
• Always extinguish the candle before leaving the room.
• Keep the aroma lamp out of reach of children and pets. Oil lamps pose a toxicity hazard if a child or pet ingests the oil, and the open flame also creates a burn hazard.
• Only use oil lamps on stable surfaces to prevent accidental spills.
• Keep burning oil lamps away from flammable materials such as curtains, decorations, and clothing.
• Read the labels on the essential oil bottles and fuel reservoirs to be aware of any hazards posed by the contents.
• Dispose of used essential oil bottles and fuel reservoirs properly. Do not pour leftover oils or fuels down the drain.

Frequently asked questions