# Lava Lamp Question... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 15, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamp-question/264557 "2004-09-15T16:03:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamp-question/264557/1 "2004-09-15T16:03:08Z")
I have had a lava lamp for the last 8 years. It’s been on quite a bit. I now notice tha the “clear” lquid is starting to go kind of “milky”. Is this normal? What is this liquid? Is there anyway I can replace this liquid? Thanks! MtM ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamp-question/264557/2 "2004-09-15T17:22:14Z")
The clear stuff is water-based, although the specific gravity has to be just right in order for the wax to float properly, so it will have other stuff dissolved in it - the patent is discussed on [this site](http://www.oozinggoo.com/) and names substances such as propylene glycol. So basically - you can’t replace the liquid (although the site I linked to does give recipes for home-made lava lamps). But, you can buy replacement bottles for lava lamps. It is normal for the liquid to degrade after a while. ---
**Author:** ![Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Backwater\_Under\_Duck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Backwater_Under_Duck)\ **Post date:** [September 15, 2004, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lava-lamp-question/264557/3 "2004-09-15T23:10:04Z")
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