The Art of Cleansing Crystals | 5 Ways to Cleanse your Healing Stones

Crystals are captivating treasures gifted to us by Mother Earth herself, each brimming with its unique energetic essence. As they interact with our surroundings and absorb energy, it’s natural for them to accumulate energetic residue that might hinder their true potential. This is where cleansing crystals comes into play, giving our beloved healing stones a reset that clears away stagnant vibes and revitalizes their natural radiance.

But what exactly is crystal cleansing? Think of it as a spa day for your crystals–a process that helps them release any negative energy they may have absorbed, returning them to their purest form. Just like we recharge ourselves through self-care practices, our crystal companions deserve the same level of devotion.

There are various methods you can use to cleanse your healing stones, but some of the more popular techniques are:

1. Water Cleansing

2. Sunlight or Moonlight

3. Smudging

4. Sound Cleansing

5. Earth Cleansing

We’ll go into more detail on these further down but it’s good to remember that not all crystals are the same and may require different methods in order to cleanse them, so doing your research on what's safe for any given gemstone before you cleanse them is crucial to avoid damaging them.

Water Cleansing

Cleansing crystals with water is probably the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about cleansing. Due to its purifying nature, it's not hard to see why and the process is incredibly simple. Just hold your stone under a stream of cool, running water and envision any accumulated negative energy washing away.

Remember though, not all crystals are made the same and for some, submerging your healing stone in water can be disastrous, for example, Selenite is an incredibly soft crystal that will quite literally dissolve when exposed to water. Others, such as Pyrite can contain harmful toxins and contaminants that can be washed out in water, while others still may rust due to their minerals such as Iron ore and the chemicals in the water. So doing your research on which stones are water safe before going ahead with this method is crucial to avoid damaging them.

Safe Crystals to wash in Water

Agate Amethyst Aventurine

Carnelian (Not in salt or sea water) Citrine

Jasper

Moonstone

Rutilated Quartz

Sapphire

Tiger's Eye

Clear, Smokey, & Rose Quartz

Not-Safe Crystals to Wash in Water

Apatite Apophyllite Azurite Celestite Gypsum Fluorite Halite Hematite Labradorite Lepidolite Malachite Opal Pyrite Selenite Tangerine Quartz Turquoise Ulexite

Sun and Moonlight

Possibly one of the most common methods for cleansing crystals, harnessing the power of the sun or moon is as simple as finding a cozy spot for your crystals to bask in their gentle rays, quite often on a window sill or a spot outside where they’ll be undisturbed.

During the day, let the warm sunlight infuse them with revitalising energy, melting away any stagnant vibes. When night falls, allow the serene moonlight to bathe them in its soothing glow, amplifying their ethereal properties. Some find the spiritual nature and energies associated with the full moon to be the best time for this as the moons energy is at its peak and often associated with letting go of the past and old energies, also known as a “Cosmic Sigh.”

Like water cleansing however, it’s a good idea to do your research into which crystals are safe for this process as many crystals can be sensitive to sunlight in particular, and can fade or lose their potency when exposed for too long.

Smudging

Smudging has been around for centuries and is a common practice among indigenous tribes in America where people, spaces, and objects are purged of negative energies by burning sacred herbs such as white sage, palo santo, or cedar. You can use this same method to cleanse your crystals, particularly those that are sensitive to light or water.

Light your bundle of herbs on one end, preferably with a wooden match, and let it burn for 15-20 seconds before gently blowing it out until there’s only embers left burning. At this point it should be smoking and it’s through this smoke you may pass your crystals and healing stones, keeping in mind the intention of releasing any old or negative energy they may hold.

You can also chant your intention out loud if you’re having trouble visualising it. Once finished extinguish your smudging stick fully and don’t let it burn unattended, and DO NOT use water as this can damage the herbs and make them harder to use next time you wish to use them.

While you’re performing this ritual it’s a good idea to ventilate the space you’re in if you’re inside and try not to directly inhale any smoke as this can damage your lungs. It’s also a good idea to ensure any ashes or embers that may fall are caught in a heat resistant container, although many who perform this type of ritual prefer to use an Abalone shell, as this represents the ocean, and is believed that having each of the elements present adds extra power to the ritual.

Sound Cleansing

Using sound vibrations can be a great way to cleanse your crystals. You can use a singing bowl, a bell, or even your own voice. Some even use the clapping of your hands together to dispel the negative energy. Simply create the sounds while holding or placing the crystals near the area and let the vibrations of the sounds pass through the crystals and clear away the stagnant energy. Remember to keep your intentions to clear away the negative energies stored within and you can use just about any sound for this. It’s simple, yet effective.

Earth Cleansing

Last but not least is diving into Mother Earth herself and using her energies to ground or reconnect your crystal with the Earth. Just like we humans find renewed energy and grounding by walking around barefoot on the earth so do our beloved crystals. Simply bury them in the ground, you only need to dig a few inches, and cover them with the soil either over night or for a few days to really let your crystals reset and ground themselves in the earths embrace.

You can also use large clusters or slabs of crystals such as Clear Quartz and Selenite instead of burying your healing stones if you’d prefer to keep them clean, simply place them in or on the clusters and let them do their work.

Cleansing Crystals & your Space

The benefits of crystal cleansing extend far beyond simply maintaining their physical appearance. By cleansing your crystals, you’re inviting a transformation of energy, both within the crystals themselves and within your own energetic space. When you devote time to cleansing your crystals, you’re offering them an opportunity to shine with renewed brilliance. Imagine holding a crystal that feels light, vibrant, and deeply attuned to your intentions. That’s the magic of crystal cleansing–a harmonious connection between you and your crystal allies.

"Quartz is the most powerful healing and energy amplifier on the planet." - Judy Hall

Because of this connection it’s essential to remember to trust your intuition and choose the cleansing method that resonates with you and feels right for your crystals. It’s also good practice to cleanse your healing stones when you first get them, to help remove any energies from past owners or others they may have been around before you, and then continue to cleanse them regularly, especially if you use them frequently or if they’re exposed to heavy or intense energies.