How to cleanse and purify your crystals: 8 safe practices

Humans have always been drawn to crystals. Not only are they extremely beautiful and alluring, but they also hold special energetic powers. Crystals are powerful energy healers, and they are known to provide emotional, physical, and spiritual energy. They help us to heal and ground ourselves, they protect us by absorbing negative energies, as well as manifest positive changes in our lives. Since crystals absorb unwanted energy and thoughts and hold high vibrations, it is important to cleanse them regularly in order to get the best of them and keep their energy flowing. If not, these unwanted negative energies can find their way back into your life, and your connection might fade. That is why in this article we will show you the best practices for cleansing your crystals to heighten their energy and nurturing powers. Continue reading to find out how to properly cleanse and take care of your crystals:

Different crystals vibrate at different powerful frequencies

In this article

• How often should I cleanse my crystals?
• Does sunlight charge crystals?
• Does a full moon charge crystals?
• Can you purify crystals in water?
• How do you cleanse crystals with sound?
• Does nature purify crystals?
• Can you cleanse crystals with smoke?
• Can crystals purify other crystals?
• Does salt cleanse crystals?

How often should I cleanse my crystals?

Generally, it is essential to clean your crystals once you purchase them and bring them home. This way, you can get rid of previous energies that the crystal might have picked up. Another piece of advice is to cleanse your crystal if other people have touched it. Moreover, if you are using your crystals for healing purposes, it is good to cleanse them after every use. Ideally, you want to cleanse your crystals once a month. However, if you are bringing some of them with you on a regular basis like wearing them as jewelry, it is good to cleanse them once a week. You should trust your intuition when it comes to crystals. If you feel like some of your crystals look dirtier, duller, or feel heavier and slightly different from normal, then you might need to cleanse them. Another good piece of advice is to purify your crystals if you are going through a major change in your life and your emotions and energy are running high.

Crystals that you use on a daily basis like when manifesting should be cleansed more often

Does sunlight charge crystals?

Natural sunlight has a powerful energy that can help cleanse your crystals. The Sun has a masculine spirit, which is all about vitality and energy. Just wait for a bright and sunny day and leave your crystals to soak up the golden sunlight at your window or better yet outside. However, take notice that not all stones love sunlight. Some of them can actually fade, lose their vibrancy and get damaged by the powerful sun rays. Remember not to leave stones in direct sunlight for too long, as solar energy charges them pretty quickly. Red, orange, and darker stones work best in sunlight.

Duration: 2-3 hours

Use this method for: red, orange, and dark crystals, as well as most tumbled stones

Don’t use for: Ametrine, Aventurine, Apatite, Amethyst, Aquamarine, Beryl, Citrine, Calcite, Celestite, Chrysoprase, Kunzite, Sapphire, Fluorite, Rose Quartz, and Smokey Quartz

Some crystals fade and lose their vibrancy when exposed to direct sunlight for too long 

Does a full moon charge crystals?

Yes! Moonlight is another way of clearing your gemstones. What’s more, crystals and moonlight are made for each other! The Moon and its gentle feminine energy can cleanse your crystals on a deep energetic level. The full moon brings the energy of release, whereas a new moon brings new beginnings and opportunities for spiritual growth. To cleanse your crystals using the energy of the moon, place them on your windowsill before going to sleep. This purifying method works great for all stones, especially those that don’t work well with water and sunlight. Moonlight is a safe way to cleanse any crystal type since they do not come into contact with anything except the soft and gentle light of the moon.

Duration: a few hours or overnight

Use this method for: all crystals

Don’t use for: –

A full moon brings the energy of release 

Can you purify crystals in water?

Yes, you can! But, you have to be very careful which crystals can go into the water and which should not go anywhere near it! Soft and delicate stones, as well as rough, natural stones and geodes, should not be cleansed with water as this can harm and dissolve them. However, if you have stones that are safe to be cleansed in water, consider natural running water as it is the best option. Place your crystals on your lawn the next time it rains, or hold them briefly under a running natural stream. This will neutralize any energies stored in your crystals. You can also dedicate a few polished stones to use in your bath!

Duration: 2-3 minutes for each stone

Use this method for: Clear Quartz, Rose Quartz, Amethyst, Smokey Quartz, Citrine, Agate, Moonstone, Carnelian, Rutilated Quartz, Jasper, Tiger’s Eye, Aventurine, and Black Obsidian

Don’t use for: Fluorite, Selenite, Apophyllite, Tangerine Quartz, Gypsum, Lepidolite, Opal, Azurite, Apatite, Halite, Malachite, Turquoise, Ulexite, Labradorite, Celestite, Pyrite, and Hematite

Natural running water is the best for cleansing water-safe crystals

How do you cleanse crystals with sound?

If you are intentional with it, reverberating sound can actually cleanse crystals. Singing bowls are the instrument most commonly used for purifying crystals. Allow the vibrating sound to wash over your crystals while visualizing the negative and old energies leaving them. This method is fast and risk-free. Moreover, this is a great practice for those of you who have a bigger collection of crystals that would take forever to cleanse individually. Whether you decide to use chanting, singing bowls, bells, or another instrument, what’s important is that the sound reaches a vibration that encompasses the stones.

Duration: 5 minutes

Use this method for: all crystals

Don’t use for: –

The humming vibrations of a singing bowl cleanse your crystals without any risk

Does nature purify crystals?

The earth is the most grounding element. That is why burying your crystals in the soil is a great way of re-grounding them and making any bad energies leave. The burial method is perfect for those of you wanting to give your crystals a good purifying after some serious energy work. The method is easy- find a safe and sacred spot for burying your crystals, and bury them in the soil. This technique is not suitable for brittle crystals, but it works wonders for hardier ones.

Duration: 24 hours to 3 days

Use this method for: Tigers Eye, Citrine, Carnelian, Jasper, Calcite, and Agate

Don’t use for: brittle crystals

Find a safe spot to bury your crystals and let the earth cleanse their energy

Can you cleanse crystals with smoke?

The smudging technique is done with smoke from Sage, Palo Santo, herbs, or incense sticks. You just light an incense stick, for example, and fan the smoke over your crystals, using circular motions. You can cleanse each crystal individually, or place a couple of crystals in a bowl and cleanse them with the smoke. This method works for all types of crystals! However, you should remember to be responsible since you will be literally playing with fire. So, make sure to always put out the flame after you are done with the cleansing of your crystals!

Duration: 5 to 10 minutes in total

Use this method for: all crystals

Don’t use for: –

Sage and Palo Santo are great for purifying your home and crystals

Start by lighting your sage until the smoke comes

Place the sage in your non-dominant hand and start cleansing your crystals

Incense sticks can also be used for crystal cleaning

Can crystals purify other crystals?

Yes! What’s more, the most powerful self-cleansing crystals are actually Clear Quartz, Selenite, Amethyst, and Obsidian. They also never require cleansing themselves! Just place the crystals you want to cleanse on top or next to the Selenite (it is the best choice). Make sure they are touching! Leave them there to cleanse overnight or as long as you want and think is needed. This method is perfect for when the weather does not allow you to cleanse the crystals somewhere outside.

Duration: overnight or more

Use this method for: all crystals

Don’t use for: –

Selenite is the ultimate cleansing stone

White sage for burning and Selenite for cleansing

Using a bowl made from Selenite is a super easy way to cleanse all your crystals

Does salt cleanse crystals?

Yes, sea salt is actually the most traditional purifying agent used in psychic work and healing. Sea salt is highly recommended for the initial cleansing of a new healing stone, or for when you feel like a stone is full of negative energy. Just fill a glass container with either Sea Salt or pink Himalayan Salt and submerge your crystals.  Leave them to cleanse at least until the next day. Also, it is important to remember to throw away the salt you used, as it now stores the unwanted negative energy from your crystals.

Duration: overnight or more

Use this method for: most crystals

Don’t use for: stones and minerals like Pyrite, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, and Hematite,

Pink Himalayan Salt is perfect for cleansing crystals

Transform your crystal cleansing station into a beautiful decoration