General Questions

Also known as Catalytic Lamps, Catalytic Fragrance Lamps or Effusion Lamps, Fragrance Lamps are a method of home fragrancing that uses a catalytic combustion technique to uniquely combine an impactful fragrance release with air purifying properties. Fragrance Lamps not only leave your home smelling wonderful but they also actively work to purify the air and remove common odours in the home, including cooking smells and pet odours. The original catalytic lamp technology dates back over 120 years, when lamps were used to help purify the air in hospitals. In the 1920s, lamps were reinvented as a home fragrance solution with beautiful aesthetic bottles to decorate the home. We have taken the original technology, tweaked and refined it to create what we believe is the best system out there.

The Fragrance Lamp works via catalytic combustion. When the platinum catalyst present on the stone part of the wick assembly is heated, this creates a catalytic reaction with the Lamp Fragrance and oxygen. This reaction is self-sustaining while there is constant fuel and oxygen supply. The liquid in the Lamp Fragrance is drawn up the cotton wick into the porous ceramic stone, where the catalysis takes place, oxidising some of the liquid and releasing the rest into the air along with the fragrance. The heated liquid rises into the air, and through convection currents is diffused quickly throughout the surrounding air. This technology is particularly effective at ensuring the fragranced liquid is emitted in ultra-fine particles which rise quickly and distribute rapidly, far smaller than droplets produced by a spray, or standard evaporation, and at a far greater rate.

For the ultimate ambience in the home, use your Fragrance Lamp by simply placing this on a stable and spill-resistance surface, fill the Lamp with your favourite Ashleigh & Burwood Lamp Fragrance, light the stone for a few minutes and then blow out the flame which in turn releases the scent. Read on for further detailed step by step instructions:

When used correctly, our Fragrance Lamps (or Catalytic Lamps/Effusion Lamps as they’re often referred to) can provide an incredible ambience throughout your home. In order to make the most out of using your Fragrance Lamps we’ve compiled some handy tips to follow – allowing you to enjoy amazing fragrance for longer.

Parts of a Fragrance Lamp

The Crown covers the hot stone to prevent accidental contact. Various designs are available.
The Snuffer-cap covers the catalytic stone. This prevents fragrance from evaporating when the Lamp is not in use and blocking the stone with fragrance particles. It is also used to cover the hot stone to turn the Lamp off.
The Retainer is a small metal clip that holds the stone, collar and wick together. You should never remove this clip.
The Stone is a special porous ceramic material coated in platinum and other rare metals.
The Collar supports the stone and secures the wick in place.
The Wick carries fragrance from the body to the stone.
The Assembly is a group name for the wick, collar, stone and retainer.
The Neck is a metal crimp attached to the Lamp Body which supports the Assembly.
The Body is the main part of the Lamp that holds the Fragrance.

While this varies depending on the length of time that the Lamp is in use, plus additional factors such as airflow, we recommend for an average size room (20m2 floor size) to use the Lamp for 25-30 minutes. It is important not to over-use the Lamp, because the fragrance release is very powerful, not to mention using up the fragrance too quickly.

We would recommend using your Lamp for 30 minutes at a time. We do not advise using your Lamp for longer than 45 minutes at a time as this can cause damage to the wick. If you’d like to use your Lamp for longer periods, we recommend using the Lamp for 30 minutes, snuffing it out and leaving it to re-prime for 30 minutes before lighting again. This cycle of 30 minutes on and 30 minutes off can be repeated as frequently as you’d like, however, we wouldn’t normally suggest using more than twice a day.

If you wish to change Lamp Fragrance, remove the fully cooled stone/wick assembly, lifting it by the metal retainer, and place it on a spill-resistant surface. Carefully pour remaining liquid from your Fragrance Lamp back into the original Lamp Fragrance bottle, using the funnel provided. Allow the wick to air-dry, the refill the Lamp with your new fragrance and reinsert the wick ready for priming.

The Lamp will last indefinitely as long as the body or neck is not damaged. The wick/stone may need replacing as it wears out from use, however if used exclusively with Ashleigh & Burwood’s Lamp Fragrance and the instructions are followed, then each wick will last for around 250 uses. We are still testing stones that have passed 300 uses and they are working at their optimum level.

Troubleshooting and Lamp Care

If you know you will not be using your Lamp for extended periods, it is best to leave it empty. Pour any surplus fragrance carefully back into the original bottle, using the funnel supplied with your Lamp. Leaving a Lamp filled for extended periods may cause fragrance to accumulate in the stone, making it difficult to light. If you have any problems lighting the Stone after extended periods without use, follow the instructions for cleaning the stone.

Yes, provided you follow the safety instructions and keep your Lamp out of reach, so that there is no risk of the Lamp being knocked over or touched. Always place your Lamp on a flat stable surface. Remember that the stone is hot when in use. Always ensure the crown is on the Lamp when it is in use to prevent accidental contact with the hot stone.

Fragrance Lamps are incredibly effective at fragrancing the air and you will find that the fragrance lingers for several hours in the room after the Lamp has been stopped. If you feel that it is the fragrance itself which is too strong for your liking, then it is possible to dilute down one of our Lamp Fragrances, using the Neutral (unfragranced) variety – this is product code PFL900 for the 250ml bottle, PFL928 for the 500ml bottle and PFL3012 for the 1000ml. You can mix in any ratio you like until you find the level which best suits you. For smaller rooms, you may also consider using for a shorter period of time.

The outside of your Ashleigh & Burwood Fragrance Lamp can be easily cleaned using a proprietary furniture or glass polish. Always ensure that the snuffer-cap is on the Lamp and that the top is cool before cleaning.

Use this method if you have the following issues:

  • Your wick won’t light
  • Your wick won’t get hot
  • Your wick won’t remain lit for 2-3 minutes
  • You’re not receiving a good fragrance throw

If you’re experiencing the above issues, your wick could be blocked.

  1. Take your stone/wick assembly out of your Lamp and put into a ceramic bowl/cup. Never pull the wick out by the stone, always hold the collar and remove the whole stone/wick assembly in one piece. Always ensure that the Stone is completely cooled before touching it and be careful when removing the wick as it will be soaked with Lamp Fragrance.
  2. Pour your Lamp Fragrance into your bowl/cup and fill until 2-3 cm full.
  3. Cover with cling film and put into a cool dark place. Leave for 24 hours.
  4. Place the wick back into your Lamp, bearing in mind the rope part of the wick will be soaked in Lamp Fragrance, so again be careful with any dripping.
  5. Replace the snuffer cap and leave for 10 minutes.
  6. After 10 minutes light the stone. Please use caution as initially the flame will be quite high (up to 3 inches). Use your Lamp again as normal!

You can order the small or the large wick/stone assembly from the shop where you originally bought your Lamp, any retailer of Ashleigh & Burwood Fragrance Lamps or you can buy a small replacement wick on our website here, or a large replacement wick here. If you are unsure of the wick size you need please see the below size guide and compare to your current wick.

Wick Sizes Comparison

If your stone should become accidentally damaged your Lamp will not work efficiently. Fit a new stone/wick assembly before using your Lamp again.

Fragrance is not being delivered to the stone. Check that your Lamp contains Lamp Fragrance, this is especially important with opaque lamps. Check also that the wick is inserted fully into the Lamp so that the bottom of the wick is in the fragrance. After checking this, put the snuffer-cap on the Lamp for 20-30 minutes to prime it and then re-light.

Fragrance is not being delivered efficiently to the stone. Check that your Lamp contains fragrance, this is especially important with opaque Lamps. Check also that the wick is inserted fully into the Lamp so that the bottom of the wick is in the fragrance. After checking this, put the snuffer-cap on the Lamp for 20-30 minutes to prime it and then re-light. If this does not work it is likely your stone has become clogged with fragrance. Follow the instructions for cleaning the stone.

The stone has become clogged with fragrance. This is most likely because the snuffer-cap was not put on the Lamp when it was not in use. Fragrance has concentrated in the stone making it difficult to light. Follow the instructions for cleaning the stone.

It is most likely that the flame was extinguished before the stone had reached its working temperature. Put the snuffer cap on the Lamp and leave it for 20-30 minutes to prime. Light the stone again and allow the flame to burn for a full 2-3 minutes before extinguishing. If this does not work it is likely your stone has become clogged. Follow the instructions for cleaning the stone.

There is a small amount of water in the Lamp Fragrance. Occasionally, especially if there is a draught, this water vapour and/or elements of the fragrance compound itself can be seen coming from the stone.

This is most probably because the collar of the stone/wick assembly is not fully inserted into your Lamp, and the fragrance is slowly evaporating. This can also happen if the snuffer cap is not fully pushed down to cover the stone. Replace the stone/wick assembly, ensuring the collar is fully inserted into the neck and the snuffer cap is snugly fitted to the stone and fully pushed down.

Lamp Fragrance Questions

The basis of the Lamp Fragrance, and the important fuel which keeps the catalytic process working, is an alcohol called isopropyl alcohol. A very common alcohol, it is the same form of alcohol which is commonly used in hand sanitisers for example. The other ingredients are distilled water, and the fragrance compound itself.

When the Lamp is used in accordance with the instructions, the amount of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) released into the air is well within the safe limits for adults, children and pets. The majority of the IPA is burned during the catalytic combustion process which breaks it down into simply water and carbon dioxide, and the remaining IPA that is released into the air diffuses very rapidly. The OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) limit for exposure to IPA is an airborne concentration of 400ppm (parts per million). Using a large Fragrance Lamp for the recommended 30 min period, in an average sized room, results in an airborne concentration of IPA around 19ppm, assuming zero airflow. Allowing for normal household conditions with a small airflow, the concentration will be even lower than this.

Our main range of Lamp Fragrances use a blend of natural, nature identical and plant extracts as components. Our typical fragrance composition is similar in style to most high-end designer perfumes for example, or many of the well-known high-end designer candle brands. None of our fragrances are tested on animals, and we are wholeheartedly against testing products on animals. Our Aromatherapy Lamp Fragrances use only 100% pure essential oils as the fragrance component.

Yes, you can mix any of the Ashleigh & Burwood Lamp Fragrances to create your bespoke scent.

No, Lamp Fragrance is specifically designed to be used in Ashleigh & Burwood Fragrance Lamps only. It is not suitable and will not be effective if used in Reed Diffusers, Oil Burners, Scent Hubs or Pot Pourri.

Unfortunately, not. Our Lamp Fragrances are specially developed by Ashleigh & Burwood to work efficiently with your Fragrance Lamp. Using other types of fragrance could be dangerous and will damage the stone.

Inhalation: Remove from exposure site to fresh air, keep at rest. Contact physician if symptoms persist, ensure you keep the fragrance bottle with you as this contains important information for the physician.

Eye Exposure: Flush immediately with water for at least 15 minutes while holding eyelids open. Contact physician if symptoms persist, ensure you keep the fragrance bottle with you as this contains important information for the physician.

Skin Exposure: Remove contaminated clothes. Wash thoroughly with soap and water. Contact physician if symptoms persist, ensure you keep the fragrance bottle with you as this contains important information for the physician.

Ingestion: If swallowed, do not induce vomiting. Seek immediate medical assistance for additional treatment. If vomiting occurs spontaneously, keep head below hips to prevent aspiration. Ensure you keep the fragrance bottle with you as this contains important information for the physician.

Advice to Physician: Call a doctor or poison control centre for guidance.