How to Cleanse Crystals: A Guide to Purifying Your Gems

Crystals have been used for centuries for their healing properties, energy amplification, and spiritual benefits. But just like any tool, they need regular maintenance to ensure they function at their highest potential. Cleansing crystals is essential for clearing out any negative or stagnant energies they've absorbed and for restoring their natural vibrancy. Whether you're using them for meditation, energy work, or simply as beautiful pieces of decor, a proper cleansing ritual will keep them energetically aligned.

Here’s how to cleanse your crystals and why it’s so important.

Why cleanse your crystals?

Crystals act as energetic sponges, absorbing vibrations from their environment. Over time, they can become clogged with negative energy, reducing their effectiveness. Cleansing crystals helps to:

1. Restore their natural energy frequency: Crystals need to be recharged to maintain their healing properties.
2. Remove any negativity: Any lingering negative energy can interfere with your intentions.
3. Prepare them for new intentions: Cleansing creates a blank slate, ready for new energy and purpose.

4 Simple Methods to Cleanse Crystals

1. Running Water

Water is a natural cleanser that can wash away any negative energy attached to the crystal. This is one of the easiest methods, but it’s important to note that not all crystals can handle water.

• How to do it: Hold your crystal under a stream of running water for 1-2 minutes, envisioning the water washing away any unwanted energy.
• Best for: Harder crystals like quartz, amethyst, and citrine.
• Avoid: Soft or porous crystals like selenite, calcite, and malachite, as they can be damaged by water.

2. Salt Water

Salt has been used for purification across cultures for centuries. You can use saltwater from the ocean, or make your own.

• How to do it: Dissolve a tablespoon of sea salt in water and let your crystal soak for a few hours or overnight.
• Best for: Tough stones such as jasper and tiger’s eye.
• Avoid: Water-sensitive crystals like lapis lazuli and turquoise.

3. Smudging

Smudging with sage, palo santo, or incense is a powerful way to cleanse crystals using the purifying properties of smoke.

• How to do it: Light the sage or palo santo and let the smoke envelop your crystals for about 30 seconds to a minute. Focus on your intention to clear the energy.
• Best for: All crystals, especially when you're short on time or dealing with particularly heavy energy.

4. Sound Cleansing

Sound vibrations from a singing bowl, tuning fork, or even chanting can cleanse crystals by breaking up any stagnant or negative energy.

• How to do it: Play your singing bowl or chime over the crystal, allowing the sound vibrations to wash over them for a few minutes.
• Best for: Large collections of crystals or when you're unable to use other methods.

5. Selenite

A high-vibrational stone, selenite has the ability to cleanse, charge, and align other crystals, making it one of the most convenient tools for keeping your collection energetically clear.

a) Selenite Charging Plate or Slab

One of the most effective and easiest methods is placing your crystals on a selenite charging plate or slab.

• How to do it: Similar to what you would do with clear quartz chips lay your crystals on the selenite plate or slab and leave them there for 6-8 hours, or overnight. The selenite will clear away any negative or stagnant energy without the need for any additional steps.

• Best for: All types of crystals, as selenite is a gentle and non-damaging stone.

b) Selenite Wand

If you don’t have a charging plate, you can also use a selenite wand to cleanse individual crystals.

• How to do it: Hold the selenite wand in your dominant hand and gently wave it over the crystal you want to cleanse, or trace the wand along the outline of the stone. Visualize the selenite clearing away any negative energy as you work.

• Best for: Specific crystals that need targeted cleansing.

For individual crystals, a clear quartz point works similarly to a selenite wand.

• How to do it: Point the quartz directly at the crystal you're cleansing. Move it in small circles or wave it over the stone while imagining it drawing out any unwanted energy.

6. Clear Quartz

Known as the "master healer," clear quartz can amplify the energy of other stones, cleanse them, and even boost their healing properties. It's a versatile stone that can be used for any crystal in need of an energetic refresh.

a) Clear Quartz Cluster

 

Clear quartz clusters are ideal for cleansing multiple crystals at once, as the cluster amplifies the energy of each point.

• How to do it: Place your crystals around or on top of the clear quartz cluster and let them sit for several hours. The clear quartz will draw out negative energy and amplify the positive energy of your other stones.

• Best for: Cleansing multiple stones at once.

b) Clear Quartz Tumble Stones

Tumbled clear quartz stones can also be used for cleansing, especially if you don’t have a large cluster.

• How to do it: Surround your crystal with several tumbled clear quartz stones or hold one in each hand while focusing your intention on cleansing the specific crystal.

c) Clear Quartz Chips

One of the simplest ways to use clear quartz tumble chips is to create a “cleansing bed” for your crystals. This method is ideal for cleansing multiple stones at once.

• How to do it:
  • Find a shallow bowl or dish and fill it with clear quartz tumble chips.
  • Place the crystals you want to cleanse on top of the bed of clear quartz.
  • Leave them in the bowl for at least 6-8 hours or overnight for a thorough cleanse.
  • Remove the crystals and they’ll be cleared and recharged, ready for use.
• Best for: Any type of crystal, especially smaller ones or delicate stones that may be sensitive to water or sunlight.

Where to get Clear Quartz Chips? Shop here!

d) Clear Quartz Point

For individual crystals, a clear quartz point works similarly to a selenite wand.

• How to do it: Point the quartz directly at the crystal you're cleansing. Move it in small circles or wave it over the stone while imagining it drawing out any unwanted energy.

A Word on Setting Crystal Intention

As you cleanse your crystals, it’s important to set a clear intention for what you’re trying to achieve. Whether you're looking to remove negativity or prepare your stones for new energy, focusing on your purpose enhances the effectiveness of the cleansing process.

How Often Should You Cleanse Crystals?

How often you cleanse your crystals depends on how you use them. If you’re working with them daily, they may need to be cleansed more frequently—every week or two. For decorative crystals or those used occasionally, cleansing them once a month or with each full moon should suffice.

Conclusion

Cleansing crystals is a simple yet powerful way to maintain their energy and ensure they continue to serve you well. By regularly practicing these cleansing rituals, you’ll create a positive environment for your stones to thrive, allowing you to harness their full potential.

Ready to start? Pick a method that resonates with you, and give your crystals the refresh they need!