A lava lamp combines a sealed globe, hot bulb, glass, liquid, wax, metal, and electrical parts. Keep the globe sealed and ask local programs about the intact lamp before separating anything.
Unplug It and Let It Cool
Turn the lamp off, unplug it, and leave it alone until every part is cool. Keep the globe upright on a stable surface away from children and pets.
LAVA’s current instructions say not to remove the bottle cap or add anything to the globe. Do not drill, pry open, drain, or heat it for disposal.
- Brand and model, if visible
- Whether the globe is intact, cracked, or leaking
- Bulb type printed on the bulb or manual
- Whether the base has a cord or electronic controls
Reuse or Repair an Intact Lamp
If the lamp does not flow, check its manual. A failed bulb or model-specific care issue may be fixable without opening the globe.
Offer a working lamp locally only after checking the cord, plug, base, and globe for damage. Give the recipient the correct bulb requirements.
Ask About Local Disposal
Describe the whole lamp to your household waste or electronics program. Ask whether it accepts the intact appliance, sealed globe, and bulb, and whether each part needs a different route.
Do not assume the globe belongs with bottles and jars. Keep the base out of curbside recycling unless your program specifically accepts small appliances there.
Bulb rules depend on type and jurisdiction. Identify whether it is incandescent, LED, or mercury-containing before disposal.
If the Globe Breaks
Keep people and pets away. Unplug the lamp only if you can reach the plug without crossing the spill, then follow the manufacturer’s cleanup instructions for that model.
Do not pour the contents down a drain. If anyone may have swallowed the liquid, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.