Q&A for How to Make a Lava Lamp with Household Ingredients

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  • Question
    Can I use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil for the temporary lava lamp?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Sure, coconut or olive oil would work just as well.
  • Question
    Could I do it without food coloring? Would that just cause it to not have color?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can make it without food coloring and it will not change the lava lamp in any way other than the color.
  • Question
    Does it have to be a soda or water bottle, or can it be any liquid holder?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    As long as it has a lid and is perfectly sealed then you can use any bottle you want.
  • Question
    How does the permanent lava lamp work?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The heat from the light makes the "lava" rise, and as it cools near the top, it will sink again.
  • Question
    How long does the temporary lava lamp last? I was thinking about using nail polish bottles.
    Aislin Paton
    Aislin Paton
    Community Answer
    It lasts a few minutes. A way to keep it going is to add salt after it finishes.
  • Question
    What can I use instead of oil?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You need some type of oil, but you could experiment with different kinds.
  • Question
    How do I make a permanent lava lamp with only kitchen materials?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Follow the steps in method 2 for making a permanent lava lamp.
  • Question
    Why is my baby oil rising to the top instead of the alcohol?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You need to make the density of the oil greater than that of the alcohol. Thin it down with a couple of drops of solvent, such as turpentine or paint thinner. To make it more dense, you would add salt.
  • Question
    Can I make a permanent one?
    Seporah
    Seporah
    Community Answer
    Yes, the instructions are above. :)
  • Question
    Can I just use food coloring to color my lava lamp?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but only to color the water.
  • Question
    Can I use salt to make a lava lamp?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, it can be a replacement if you have no Alka Seltzer tablets.
  • Question
    Do I have to put a candle under it to make it a permanent lava lamp?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Nope! A candle or low watt bulb will work. Just make sure the bulb isn't too hot. You want the lava to flow properly and want to avoid breaking the glass.
  • Question
    Can I put food coloring in a permanent lava lamp?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it is a little harder to do. Maybe try it on your second or third lamp.
  • Question
    Can I use water for my lava lamp instead of alcohol?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Nope, it won't have the same density as alcohol. Try to find something with the same density of alcohol and similar chemical properties so you don't accidentally make the jar explode.
  • Question
    How long does a temporary lava lamp last?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    About 1 hour, but it depends on how much salt you put in.
  • Question
    Do I have to use food coloring?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You don't have to if you don't have any. In the permanent one, you can see there's no food coloring. The light will make it better for you to see the bubbles.
  • Question
    Can I use baking soda for the temporary lamp?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Alka-Seltzer is made of baking soda and citric acid. The two combine to make the chemical reaction that makes bubbles. Baking soda alone won't give you the same effect.
  • Question
    How long does a temporary lava lamp last?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    This lasts a few minutes. A way to keep it going is to add salt after it finishes.
  • Question
    Can I use water instead of alcohol?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It won’t have the same density, and it won’t work. Try and find a substitute with the same density.
  • Question
    Can I make a permanent lava lamp with food coloring?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it’s harder to do. Maybe try it on your second or third lamp. You could also use artist’s oil paint to get color, but it might get stuck at the bottom or the top.
  • Question
    Can I use any type of salt when making a lava lamp?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    We did just normal cooking salt, and we tried the tablets. The tablets didn’t work any differently.
  • Question
    Can I use any type of oil or can I use salt?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You need to have some sort of oil. On the temporary one, when it's done, add salt to make it keep going for a bit longer.
  • Question
    Can I use sunflower oil instead of vegetable oil?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can. Any oil works as long as they are less dense than water. Olive and sesame oil work as well.
  • Question
    On the permanent one, can I use food coloring?
    Riley Robinson
    Riley Robinson
    Community Answer
    Yes, if you would like, but only on the inside, so you can see the mixture. If you have a lightly colored jar (like stained glass) you could use that.
  • Question
    How do I make a lava lamp without food coloring or Alka-Seltzer?
    Riley Robinson
    Riley Robinson
    Community Answer
    You could use Method 2: Make a Permanent Lava Lamp. It doesn't include Alka-Seltzer and you don't HAVE to use food coloring.
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