Your How To Guide To Cleansing A Crystal: 5 Best Tips And Methods To Purify Their Energy

Crystals have been revered for their beauty and spiritual properties for centuries. They are believed to have the power to heal, protect, and enhance our lives in many ways. However, like any other tool, they need to be cleared to maintain their effectiveness. Cleansing a crystal is an important ritual that can help you get the most out of their energy.

There are many different ways stones can be cleared of unwanted energy, and each method has its own benefits and drawbacks. In this ultimate guide, we’ll explore various tips and techniques for cleansing your crystals, including the use of moonlight, sound, smoke, and more.

Whether you’re a seasoned gemstone enthusiast or just starting out on your journey, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to keep your collection vibrant and energized. So, let’s dive in and discover the best way of cleansing them for optimal spiritual and healing benefits!

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Why Do You Need To Cleanse Crystals?

When you work with crystals it always a good idea to cleanse them as soon as you get them home. That way you’re going to get the best possible results from their healing vibrations. Crystals are continuously absorbing, repurposing and holding onto energy. That energy can be both positive and negative. When we use them for healing or other spiritual purposes, we want to ensure they are cleansed of negativity and working at their optimal level. 

This is where you come in. By cleansing your crystals you remove any negative or stagnant energy they may have gathered and allow them to regain positive resonance.

Different methods For cleansing A Crystal

There are many different ways of cleansing a crystal. Each method has its own benefits and drawbacks. Some are more effective for certain types of stone or situation. It’s important to choose the right method and also to know the intent you have for its use.

Smudging To Cleanse Your Healing Stones

Smudging is a popular method for cleansing a crystal. It has been used by many cultures for centuries, and involves the burning of specific herbs or woods, such as sage. In this method it is the smoke produced that you use to cleanse them.

To smudge your stones, you’ll need;

• a smudging tool, such as a bundle of sage or palo santo
• a heatproof dish to catch falling ash, tradition calls for abalone shell
• a tool to waft the smoke, traditionally this is a feather.

Light your smudge and begin to waft the smoke around the environment. Into the atmosphere. Then you can waft the smoke directly onto the crystal, or hold the stoner in the rising smudge smoke. As you do this focus your mind on your intent, see the smoke cleansing your crystal of any negative energy. To finish use the feather, or your hand, to waft the smoke over the stone and around the room again.

What are the drawbacks with smudging?

Smudging calls for caution. You are using a pile of burning herbs indoors so be aware that this poses a fire hazard. Make sure you at least have a bucket of water nearby. Never leave it unattended. Always check that you have extinguished the smudging tool completely after use.

I love the smudging technique, as you achieve a whole house, crystal and personal cleanse. But if you live in an apartment, with a smoke detector, I imagine a patio, balcony, or a garden may be a better solution. If you want to try smoke, without the huge volume of smoke that sage produces, you can use try palo santo or incense.

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Cleansing A Crystal With Sound

Sound is an incredible healer, and is equally as powerful when used to clear negative or stagnant energy from crystals. When the sound waves come into contact with your healing stones, they cause the crystal lattice to vibrate at a frequency that dislodges any unwanted stored energy. This process restores the crystal’s natural energetic properties.

Different sounds and tones can be used, such as singing bowls, bells, chimes, and even your voice. Anything that creates vibration can be used to clear energy blockages within your crystal and reset its energy to a more positive state. Of all methods, sound cleansing is a gentle and effective way to refresh and revitalize crystals.

To cleanse with sound, place your stones on a flat surface. Then using your sound source play or make the sound close to the crystals, allowing the vibrations to travel through them. If using a singing bowl or tuning fork, hold in your non-dominant hand and then strike with a mallet. As the tone plays hold the object near your crystals. When the tone finishes, strike again and as the tone sounds slowly move the object over and around the stones. As with smudging, it is important to focus your intention on the cleansing of your crystals while the tones are playing.

What are the drawbacks with cleansing a crystal in sound?

The main issue with sound usually is usually to do with the confidence levels and experience of the user. The main questions I get asked about sound can be loosely grouped into three themes:

1. “How long do I play [the sound] for?”
2. “Is [number] of strikes on [a singing bowl] enough?”
3. “How will I know they are cleansed?”

The answer is, you will know the answer to all those questions with practice, experience and when you tune in to your intuition. Don’t be put off trying sound. All of us have asked those questions of someone in our lifetime. All I can offer is, you will know, and once you know you’ll be certain. Trust your gut and know that when you are satisfied that it is done, and they are cleared, you will be 100% correct!

Crystal Cleansing With Running Water

Using running water is a simple and effective method. To cleanse with water, simply hold your stone in one hand and place it in, or under, the running water for a minute or two. While in the water focus your intent on the water removing all unwanted energies from the crystal.

Using a natural water source is always best, but it is not always easy, or possible. So consider, what is the closest you can get to making this as natural an experience as possible?

1. Placing or holding the stones in the running water of a river out in nature is ideal.
2. Placing them in the tide as it washes in and out is great also (but hold them or you may lose them in the sand or swell)
3. Placing them on the soil or grass under a garden hose or faucet isn’t as good, but will work fine
4. Holding them under cold water from the bathroom or kitchen faucet is acceptable, but may take a little longer.

What are the drawbacks with running water?

The same concern about time may arise. But as with sound rely on your intuition and experience to guide you as to when they are cleansed.

The most important point to remember is that running water can only be used for stones that are safe being submerged in water. Some crystals should never be placed in water, as it can cause damage to them, impact their structure and affect their energetic properties. I have included a list below of the stones that should not be cleansed in water. But always research any crystal you are unsure about before you use this method.

Salt Water Cleansing

Another water based method is with salt water. This can be nature based i.e. the tide, or soaking in water collected from the sea. You can also make your own by dissolving a few teaspoons of sea salt into a bowl of water.

Again nature based is best. But your own mixture is easy and effective. This is more a personal choice. If you make your own mix you will want to let the crystals soak in the salt water over night. After removing them from the salt water rinse them under a cold tap and place them on a surface to dry.

What are the drawbacks of cleansing a crystal in saltwater?

Saltwater reacts differently with some crystals. For those excluded below there are 2 main reasons. The first is because the salt causes the structure of the crystal to breakdown and eventually melt. The second reason is that crystals with a large iron component, like pyrite, will begin to corrode and rust.

With water (salted or not) the easiest and safest way to decide if your stone can be placed in water is by referring to the MOH hardness scale.

• 6 MOH and above are generally considered to be water safe,
• 4 – 6 MOH can use water for wiping and quick cleaning,
• 4 MOH or less should never be paced in water.

There are some that deviate from these rules, e.g. both Pyrite and Tangerine Quartz are hard crystals – but both have high iron content so need to avoid water completely.

Water and Salt Safety Chart

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Cleansing A Crystal With Sunlight and Moonlight

The energy of the sun and moon can be used to cleanse and charge stones. Sunlight is a powerful source of energy and can help to energize your stones, while moonlight is more gentle and can help to soothe and calm them.

To cleanse with sunlight or moonlight, simply place them in a sunny or moonlit spot for a few hours or overnight. You can also place them on a windowsill or outside, making sure to protect them from any potential damage.

Charge Crystals Under The Full Moon

Cleansing and charging in the light of the full moon is a popular practice in the energy healing community. The full moon has powerful energy that can help cleanse and recharge the rocks energy .

To cleanse, you can place your crystals on or near a window where they can directly absorb the moonlight. You can also use a clear glass container filled with purified water and submerge your stones in it overnight. Make sure to bring them indoors before sunrise to protect them from the harsh sun rays.

To charge, simply leave them in a place where they can continue to be exposed to the moonlight for the entire night. Some people like to arrange them in a crystal grid formation or on a sacred cloth to amplify the charging process. It is believed that the energy of the moon can wash away any negativity or stagnant energies and infuse them with renewed vibrancy and intention. 

Drawbacks of cleansing a crystal in sunlight or moonlight?

It’s important to note when cleansing a crystal under sunlight, some stones like amethyst can fade. Ensure you do not leave them in the midday or harsh sun for long periods. Prolonged periods in the sun can lead to them heating up too much. This can damage their structure and in worse case scenarios may lead to them splitting or cracking.

The only real risk with moonlight is placement. Often they are left outside so to be directly in the moonlight. However if you are not at home, or asleep and it rains your water sensitive stones can be damaged. And sadly, it is not unknown for crystals to be taken by dishonest opportunists. So my caution is to be careful when choosing where you place them if you intend for them to be outside for any length of time.

Charging and Cleansing A Crystal With Earth

The earth is a natural source of energy and can also be used to for cleansing and charging. It involves burying them in the earth for a period of time, allowing them to release the negativity into the earth, as they also recharge from the pure natural energies of the earth.

When cleansing a crystal in the earth, you simply bury them in a natural spot, such as a garden or park, for a few hours or overnight. You can also use a pot of soil if you don’t have access to a natural area.

It’s important to remember where you buried them and to protect them from any potential damage or loss.

Cleanse with Selenite Or Quartz

You can use any of the master healer stones, such as selenite or quartz for cleansing a crystal. 

Selenite is known for its purifying properties and is often used to cleanse and recharge other crystals. It removes negative or stagnant energy that has been absorbed by them over time.

To use selenite, simply place your smaller stones on a selenite charging plate or grid. Leave them there for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow the selenite to absorb and transmute any unwanted energy.

Quartz is believed to have a cleansing and amplifying effect on other stones energy. They can be used to clear energetic blocks and restore them to their natural pure state.

To clear with quartz, place your stones on a clear quartz cluster or point and leave them for a few hours. 

Whether you choose selenite or quartz, both methods can be effective in purifying and rejuvenating your collection. 

Choosing the right Method for Cleansing A crystal.

There are many ways to cleanse and charge in order to restore your crystal to its natural state. Each has its own benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to choose the right method and the purpose you have in mind.

For example, if you have a delicate stone that can’t be submerged in water, you may want to use a different method, such as smudging or sound cleansing. If you’re short on time, cleansing with light from the sun or moon may be a quick and effective option.

Smudging involves burning herbs, such as sage or palo santo, and using the smoke to cleanse. Simply pass the crystal through the smoke a few times while setting the intention of removing any negative or stagnant energy.

Sound cleansing can be done by using a bell, singing bowl, or even just clapping your hands near them. The vibrations created by the sound can help to clear the energy. Again, set the intention of cleansing as you perform the sound cleansing.

For sunlight cleansing, place your crystal in direct sunlight for a few hours. The sun’s energy can help to clear its energy. However, be cautious with certain types as prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause fading or damage.

Similarly, cleansing under the light of the moon involves placing them in a spot where they can receive the moon’s energy. The soft, gentle light of the moon can be especially beneficial for cleansing and charging. It is recommended to place them outside or near a window where they can directly receive the moons gentle light.

Remember to always trust your intuition when choosing a cleansing method. Each stone may respond differently to different cleansing methods, so feel free to experiment.  Make sure it aligns with your intentions and works in the best way for your healing crystals. 

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Guide to smudging (Cleansing A crystal with smoke)

Smudging is one of the most popular and effective ways to cleanse. It is also a method that can be safely used to cleanse any stone type.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to smudging:

1. Gather your smudging tool, such as a bundle of sage, and a heatproof dish or abalone shell.
2. Light the smudging tool and allow it to burn for a few seconds, until it produces smoke.
3. Hold your crystal in the smoke for a few seconds, focusing your intention on cleansing them of any negative energy.
4. You can also use a feather or your hand to waft the smoke over the stone.
5. Once you’ve finished smudging, extinguish the smudging tool completely and store it safely.

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Step-by-step guide to sound cleansing

Sound cleansing is another powerful method to cleanse. Like smudging you can use sound cleansing for all types of crystals.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to using sound to clear all of your stones:

1. Choose your sound source, such as a singing bowl or tuning fork.
   
2. Hold the stones close to the sound source and allow the vibrations to move through them.
   
3. You can also strike the singing bowl or tuning fork and hold it near the stones.
   
4. Focus your intention on cleansing them of any impure or unwanted energy.
   
5. Once you’ve finished sound cleansing, store your sound source safely.
   

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Step-by-step guide to water cleansing

Water is a simple and effective method of cleansing. It is important to note that some like selenite, kyanite and any other soft, or flaky crystals should not be cleansed with water. It can damage them. Selenite may dissolve in water.

There are two main methods for using water to cleanse. The first is running water. The second is using a salt water bath.

Again a reminder that soft, or flaky types, should not be cleansed with water.

1. Choose a safe stone that can be submerged in water, such as quartz or amethyst (and 95%of all crystals)
   
2. Rinse it under running water for a few minutes, focusing your intention on removing the energy no longer needed. 
   
3. You can also use a bowl of water and submerge it for a few minutes. You may also add salt to the water
   
4. Once you’ve finished water cleansing, let them dry and store them safely.
   

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Step-by-step guide to sunlight and moonlight cleansing

Use the cleansing properties and positive energy of the sun or moon. This is a simple and effective method for cleansing with the sun or moons light:

1. Choose a sunny or moonlit spot to place your crystal.
   
2. Leave them in the spot for a few hours or overnight, focusing your intention on cleansing the them of all energies no longer wanted.
   
3. Protect them from any potential damage or loss.
   
4. Once you’ve finished sunlight or moonlight cleansing make sure give thanks to nature.
   

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Step-by-step guide to earth cleansing

Cleansing with the earth is both natural and grounding.

1. Choose a natural spot, such as a garden or park, where you can bury your crystal.
   
2. Bury it in the dry earth for a few hours or overnight, allowing it to absorb the energies of the earth and to release any impurity.
   
3. Remember where you buried it and protect it from any potential damage or loss.
   
4. Once you’ve finished the earth cleansing process dig it up carefully and give it a quick cleanse under water or with a dry cloth.

Tips for maintaining crystal purity

To care for our crystals and keep them in optimal condition, here are some tips for maintaining their purity:

1. It is important to cleanse them regularly, depending on how often you use them and the energy they absorb.
   
2. Place them near other master healer cleansers, like quartz or selenite.
   
3. Lay them in a safe and clean place, away from any potential damage.
   
4. They are neutral so will absorb any energy. It is important you charge them with the energy of your intention, focusing on the purpose you have for them.
   
5. Research your crystals and their properties, and the process of cleansing, so you can choose the right way to charge them.

Cleansing A Crystal Conclusion

Cleansing a crystal is an important ritual that can help you get the most out of their energy.

There are many different methods, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. It’s important to choose the right method for your crystal and the purpose you have in mind.

By following the tips and techniques outlined in this guide, you can keep them, vibrant and energized for optimal spiritual benefits.