How to Clean Wick Stones for Fragrance Lamps

Written By
Kathy Adams
Kathy Adams
Published: Jul 10, 2008
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Wick stones inside fragrance lamps may clog over time, hindering their performance. Clean the wick stones by soaking them in a strong isopropyl alcohol or in an unscented fragrance-lamp oil, sometimes labeled as wick cleaner.

Cleaning the Wick Stone

Fragrance lamps -- also known as effusion lamps or Lampe Bergers (the original company making the lamp) -- vary a little from other liquid-based lamps in that the fuel is alcohol-based rather than oil-based. Essential oils mixed into the fuel provide the fragrance. It's the oil and carbon deposits from flames that may clog the wick stone.

Things You Will Need

  • 91 percent or greater isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol, or unscented fragrance-lamp fuel
  • Glass or plastic container with lid
  • Fragrance lamp 

    Prepare the Cleaning Liquid

  1. Pour an inch or so of rubbing alcohol into a glass or plastic container that has a lid. The liquid should be deep enough to submerge the stone and wick assembly.

  2. Add the Wick Stone

  3. Submerge the wick and stone assembly in the alcohol. Add more alcohol, if necessary.

  4. Soak the Wick Stone

  5. Place the lid on the container and allow the wick stone to soak for at least 30 minutes, or until the liquid darkens slightly. This indicates carbon deposits are being removed from the stone. If desired, replace the alcohol and soak the stone longer.

  6. Remove the Wick Stone.

  7. Remove the wick stone from the alcohol and place it back into the fragrance lamp whenever you wish to use the lamp. Because the alcohol is the same as unscented fragrance-oil fuel, the wick stone is already primed and ready to light.

The Drip Cap

  • Wick stones inside fragrance lamps may clog over time, hindering their performance.
  • Place the lid on the container and allow the wick stone to soak for at least 30 minutes, or until the liquid darkens slightly.
  • If desired, replace the alcohol and soak the stone longer.
Kathy Adams

Kathy Adams is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer who traveled the world handling numerous duties for music artists. She writes travel and budgeting tips and destination guides for USA Today, Travelocity and ForRent, among…

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