How to Fix a Foggy Lava Lamp

Turn on the lava lamp -- for eight hours only, Seckler says – at least 24 hours after you turned it off. Wait another day, then turn it on again for just eight hours. Repeat this again 24 hours later, for a total of three “on” periods. Do not touch the lamp except to turn it on and off.

Pop off the small metal cap. Remove the glass globe from its base and carry it to the bathtub or kitchen sink. Use a bottle opener or knife to pry off the metal sealing cap, being careful not cut yourself or the rubber stopper beneath the cap.

Remove the rubber stopper. Rinse the stopper in a stream of hot water until it is completely clean and free of lava. Place the clean stopper on a paper towel to dry.

Dump out the globe, draining all the original liquid. Run your little finger around the rim inside the top of the globe as often as necesaary to remove any wax. Wipe your finger on the rag.

Rinse out the globe -- with cold water only – and take care to avoid shaking it. Rinsing with cold water will flush out all the tiny particles that clouded your lava lamp. Fill the globe with cold water to within 1 or 2 inches of the top. Replace the rubber stopper. Thoroughly dry the outside of the globe.

Place the globe back on its base. Turn the lamp on. It will take some time to warm up. As it does, the stopper will push out, Steckler says. Remove the stopper to “burp” the globe. When the lava starts flowing, burp it again. Wrap the globe top with aluminum foil and replace the metal cap.

Try a light bulb with lower or higher wattage if the globe still doesn’t “lava,” Seckler suggests. Substitute either rubbing alcohol or glycerin for one-third of the cold water, to make the liquid less dense or denser, respectively.