How to Cleanse Crystals
How to Cleanse Your Crystals: A Guide to Clearing & Recharging Sacred Stones
Crystals are beautiful treasures from the earth. But to some they’re also energetic tools that absorb, store, and transmit energy. Over time, just like us, they can become energetically “full” or dulled from heavy use. That’s why regular cleansing is such an important part of working with your stones.
If you use crystals for healing, meditation, ritual, or wear them as jewellery, keeping them energetically clear helps them stay vibrant, effective, and connected to their highest potential.
Why Cleanse Crystals?
Crystals absorb the energies around them, both positive and negative. They can pick up heavy emotions, stale vibrations, or even simply get energetically “clogged” from repeated use. Cleansing resets their energy and allows them to return to their natural state.
Just like you wouldn’t wear the same clothes every day without washing them, cleansing your crystals is an act of respect and care for both the stone and your own energetic hygiene.
How to Tell if Your Crystals Need Cleansing
You’ll often feel when a crystal needs a reset. Common signs include:
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It no longer feels “alive” or powerful
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The energy feels dull, heavy, or stagnant
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It stops resonating with you the way it used to
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You’ve used it during intense emotional or energetic work
Tuning into your intuition is key here. If something feels “off,” it probably is.
Should You Cleanse New Crystals Right Away?
You’ll often hear that you must cleanse any crystal as soon as you get it but at The Empress & Wolf, we invite you to follow your intuition instead.
Sometimes a crystal will feel completely ready to work with you the moment you meet it. Other times, it might carry residual energy from being handled, transported, or displayed, and could benefit from a gentle cleanse. Let your own discernment be the guide, there’s no need to follow rigid dogma.
7 Ways to Cleanse Crystals
There are many methods for cleansing crystals, and different approaches may suit different stones or situations. Below are some of our favourites:
1. Sound Cleansing
Sound helps clear stagnant or heavy energy through vibration and frequency. This method is safe for all crystals.
How to do it:
- Use a singing bowl, bell, gong, tuning fork, or even frequency music
- Place your crystals nearby or surround them with sound
- Allow the tones to wash over them for several minutes
2. Water Cleansing
Water is a powerful energetic purifier. Natural water sources like the ocean, rivers, creeks, or waterfalls are especially potent.
How to do it:
- Hold your crystals briefly under running water or immerse them in a natural water source
- Set the intention that the water is clearing their energy
- Gently dry them with a soft cloth
⚠️ Important Note: Not all crystals are water-safe! Avoid using water with:
- Selenite (can dissolve)
- Pyrite (can rust)
- Hematite (can rust)
- Malachite (can release toxic particles)
- Lepidolite, Fluorite, and Celestite (too soft and fragile)
When in doubt use another method!
3. Selenite Charging
Selenite is a self cleansing crystal and can also cleanse and charge other stones.
How to do it:
- Place your crystal on a selenite charging plate, bowl, or beside a selenite wand
- Leave it for several hours or overnight
- You can also wave a selenite wand over your crystal with intention
This is a gentle and effective method for all crystals.
4. Smoke Cleansing
The smoke from burning sacred herbs can clear dense or negative energy from your crystals.
How to do it:
- Light a bundle or loose leaves of herbs like mugwort, rosemary, tulsi, palo santo, sandalwood, or bay leaf
- Pass your crystal through the smoke with intention
- Visualise the smoke carrying away anything that doesn’t belong
Note: Always practice fire safety and ensure good ventilation.
5. Sunlight or Moonlight
Natural light is a beautiful way to recharge and cleanse your crystals.
How to do it:
- Leave your crystals outside or on a windowsill for a few hours
- Use the sun for vitality and action oriented energy
- Use the moon (especially full moons) for gentle cleansing and intuitive connection
⚠️ Cautions:
- Some crystals like amethyst, fluorite, and rose quartz may fade in direct sun
- Avoid using moonlight during a lunar eclipse, as the energy can be chaotic and disruptive
6. Earth Burial
Burying your crystals allows them to return to the earth to be naturally cleansed and recharged.
How to do it:
- Gently bury your crystal in a garden, pot plant, or soft soil
- Leave it for a few hours or several day
- Retrieve it mindfully and brush off any dirt
This method is grounding and powerful especially for stones that come from deep within the earth.
7. Intention & Meditation
Your energy is one of the most powerful tools for cleansing crystals.
How to do it:
- Sit quietly with your crystal in your hands
- Visualise it being filled with light, clearing away any dense or stagnant energy
- Speak an affirmation like: “I cleanse and reset this crystal to its highest frequency.”
This method is accessible anywhere, anytime and ideal for those who love to work energetically.
Cleansing your crystals is an act of spiritual maintenance and sacred care. Whether you choose smoke, sound, moonlight, or intention, the key is to listen to your intuition and honour what feels right. Your crystals will thank you and you’ll feel the difference in how they show up to support your journey.
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