Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click and make a purchase through one of our links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. We're grateful for your support in helping Bloom and Manifest stay up and running!
Learning how to cleanse crystals is a fun way to tap into your inner mystic. Not only that, but it’s good practice to follow when using crystals in your life regularly.
Crystals can support so many different intentions- and after working with them for a while, they deserve a nice cleansing!
Whether you’re using crystals to amplify spiritual protection, remind yourself of financial goals, support your chakras, attract luck or love, stay grounded or anything else- be sure to cleanse them at least once a month to keep them clear of any energetic debris that needs to be released.
The week of the full moon is a great time to cleanse your crystals each month. Moonlight can amplify and support the cleansing process.
Suggested Reading: Using Full Moon Ritual to Release and Create Space in Your Life
You May Also Like: Full Moon Release Workbook: Release and Make Space for Abundance
Something to keep in mind when considering how to cleanse crystals is the type of crystal and its composition.
Not all crystals should be placed in water, sunlight, or salt. (More on that below)
Wanna save this for later? Pin it to Pinterest!
Using Water to Cleanse Crystals
The same way a shower or bath can cleanse our aura and our body- crystals can be cleansed in water too. Keep in mind that some crystals should not be put in water- examples listed below.
Polished crystals are best for this cleansing method, and crystals that you don’t want to potentially fade in color.
Crystals like rose quartz are fine to be put in water (I have one that I use to put in my baths) but keep in mind the color could fade over time.
How to Cleanse Crystals in Water
To cleanse your crystal in water- simply place it under running water and focus for a moment on the cleansing process. Tune into the energy (focus) and allow any dense or low vibrational energy to be cleansed out by the water. This method can also energize your crystal in addition to cleansing.
Examples of Crystals You Should Not Put in Water:
- Fluorite
- Selenite
- Apophyllite
- Opal
- Azurite
- Malachite
- Turquoise
- Labradorite
- Celestite
- Pyrite
Many crystals ending in “ite” are not recommended to be put in water. Crystals like rose quartz and amethyst are safe to put in water but can fade in color.
Some of the crystals listed above (like malachite for example) can release toxins into the water so be extra cautious with those and always do your research before using this method of crystal cleansing.
Using Salt to Cleanse Crystals
Salt is a powerful tool for energetic cleansing.
I use it for auric cleansing (in the bath), home and space cleansing, and you guessed it, crystal cleansing.
How to Cleanse Crystals with Salt
Fill a glass bowl or container with sea salt (himalayan or kitchen salt work fine too). Bury the crystal(s) in the salt, or even set them on top. I personally prefer to bury them.
Let them sit for several hours or even a couple days. Be sure to throw the salt away after- it’ll be full of energy not worth keeping.
Important note: it’s best to throw salt away in the trash after using. Avoid putting it in the soil outside as it can disrupt ecosystems.
Another important point- porous crystals or ones with ridges and divots are best cleansed using other methods. Salt can get stuck and/or deteriorate stones like so. Examples: Pyrite, Lapis Lazuli, Opal, Hematite. Other crystals ending in -ite are also best kept away from salt.
Again, do your research as each crystal is unique and has a different composition.
Sunlight
One of my favorite (and most simple) ways to cleanse crystals is in sunlight.
Sunlight is also a great way to energize your crystals.
To cleanse crystals with sunlight- simply leave them outside in direct light, or by a windowsill that gets good sun rays.
Keep in mind that some crystals can fade in color if left in sunlight too long (examples: rose quartz, amethyst) so be sure to keep that in mind.
Suggested Reading: 10 Most Powerful Crystals for Grounding
Moonlight
Similarly to using sunlight- many use direct moonlight to cleanse crystals as well.
The full moon is a great time to use this method, though you’re certainly not limited to that phase. The moon’s subtle energy can have a powerful effect at any time of the month.
Just like sunlight- this method can also energize your crystals and is a good time to instill your intentions into them.
To cleanse crystals in moonlight- simply lay them outdoors where they will get direct moonlight. You can also leave them indoors near a window that gets a good view of the moon.
Sound
Using a sound bowl or tuning fork is a powerful way to shake up the energy and cleanse your crystals.
You can also use these to clear the energy in your home or your aura.
Remember, its not about the noise it makes (tuning forks are often very quiet)- its about the vibration. The sound frequency that vibrates from sound bowls or tuning forks has the ability to heal and clear.
Smoke
Just as we use smoke to clear our homes or our aura- we can use it to cleanse crystals too.
Herbs like sage, ceder, eucalyptus and lavender are my favorites to burn and use for spiritual cleansing.
I most often use this method for cleansing my crystals. Ethically sourced sage is not hard to find (check out Magic Star Sage) and is one of the best ways to carry away negative or dense energy- bringing in positive, peaceful vibes.
How to Cleanse Crystals with Smoke
Using an herb bundle like sage or sage with lavender, take a moment to be present with the herb bundle you’ve chosen.
Hold the herb, maybe close your eyes, and take a few deep breaths. Tune into it, and focus on opening your energy to receive assistance and guidance from the sacred plant.
If it feels right to you, say a short prayer thanking the plant for assisting you and inviting it to help you cleanse.
Light the herb bundle and allow a steady stream of smoke to begin flowing.
Take your crystal and hold it over the smoke stream- allowing it to run until the smoke begins to flow upwards and become straight and still.
Once you feel the energy become lighter- you can put it out. Be sure to open up a window and allow the smoke and energy to clear from your space. (Unless you do this cleansing outside- then you’re all good from here!)
Intention
Never forget the power you have as a conscious being.
All the fun tools like sage, salt, and sound bowls are wonderful to have but if these are not accessible at any time- remember you do not need them.
Using prayer or the power of our intention can be just as powerful.
Learning how to trust our ability and connect to our intuition is the hard part… but just know that the intentional energy you put out does not go unheard.
When you need to, you can clear energy and cleanse crystals simply with the power of your own intention.
Take a few moments with your crystal to prepare for a cleansing meditation.
Envision white light pouring into the top of your head, down your arms and out your palms into the crystal. Allow the light to flow until you feel the crystal has been cleansed.
Remember to ground your energy when practicing light work or energy work. It’s important to stay rooted in this reality.
Suggested Reading: Best Crystals for Protection
Selenite
I feel like selenite deserves an award… it just cleanses and cleanses and clears and clears- never needing much from us. How do we thank you, dear selenite?!
What’s so amazing about selenite is that its “self-cleansing,” it just constantly absorbs and transmutes energy. Not only that but it can cleanse other crystals effortlessly.
Using a selenite block, bowl or plate is easy. Simply place your other crystals on top of or in one of the selenite objects and allow it to stay for a few hours or overnight.
I love to use a selenite bowl to store my smaller crystals. This keeps them cleansed and charged with good energy!
FAQ About Cleansing Crystals
How do I know if my crystal needs to be cleansed?
After working with crystals for a while you’ll be able to sense when they need a good cleanse.
Each crystal varies, but I’d say a good rule of thumb is cleansing them monthly on the full moon.
If you’re attuned to subtle energy- sometimes you can sense a weight or a heaviness in a crystal that needs to be cleansed.
Where to get crystals online?
A few of my favorite places to get crystals online are:
Etsy is a good place to search, just make sure your read reviews and read about the shop to ensure good ethics and quality.
Your local metaphysical shop is likely to have some crystals as well. Its always fun to walk in and “let the crystal choose you.”
If you’re in the Sacramento area Sunlight of the Spirit, Everlasting Gifts, Planet Earth Rising, and Garden of Enchantment are cool places to shop for crystals.
Leave a Reply