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.
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.
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.
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.
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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
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.
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
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.
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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.
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
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.
Q. Why does my Neo not come on immediately?
A. A slight delay before the light comes on is normal with halogen bulbs.
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
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.
Q. Do I need to fit the glass shield for my iO?
A. Yes, this is an integral safety component of the product.
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
Q. I am having trouble changing the bulb on my iO
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
Q. Do I need the heat ring?
A. Yes, this is an essential part of the heating system for the lava.
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..
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
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
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.
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.
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bulb - halogen
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bayonet bulb
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glass shield spare
not working
bulb change
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fluidium parts - fluidium replacements