How to Cleanse and Charge Your Crystals

Need to refresh your crystals? Here's everything you need to know in 30 seconds:

Process	What It Does	Best Methods	Time Needed
Cleansing	Removes negative energy	Running water, sage smoke, sound	1-5 minutes
Charging	Adds fresh energy	Sunlight, moonlight, earth burial	4-24 hours

Quick Start Guide:

1. Check your crystal's hardness before cleaning
2. Use running water for hard stones (30 seconds)
3. Use smoke or sound for soft/water-sensitive stones
4. Charge in moonlight overnight
5. Store in fabric pouches or wooden boxes

Warning: Some crystals are toxic or water-sensitive. Check this table before cleaning:

Crystal	Water Safe?	Sun Safe?	Best Cleaning Method
Selenite	No	Yes	Smoke/sound
Amethyst	Yes	No	Moonlight
Clear Quartz	Yes	Yes	Any method
Malachite	No	Yes	Dry methods only

That's it! The rest of this guide covers detailed methods, storage tips, and safety precautions for keeping your crystals in top shape.

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Ways to Clean Your Crystals

Let's look at how to clean your crystals properly (and what NOT to do):

Using Natural Elements

Here's what works (and what doesn't):

Method	Duration	Best For	Notes
Running Water	30-60 seconds	Hard stones	Skip for soft/porous crystals
Sunlight	4-8 hours	Most crystals	NOT for amethyst/celestite
Soil Burial	24-72 hours	All crystals	Use clean, natural soil
Moonlight	8-10 hours	All crystals	Best during full moon

"Using salt water to cleanse your crystals can severely damage them!" - Crystallography Gems

Sound and Crystal Cleaning

Sound cleaning uses vibrations. Here's how to do it:

• Put Tibetan singing bowls 5-6 inches from crystals (5 minutes)
• Strike tuning forks and hold near crystals (2-3 minutes)
• Move bells around crystals in circles
• Set smaller stones on clear quartz clusters (24 hours)

Basic Cleaning Methods

Method	Steps	Time Needed
Brown Rice	Put in unprocessed rice	24 hours
Smoke	Move through sage/palo santo smoke	30-60 seconds
Other Crystals	Set on selenite/clear quartz	6-24 hours

"Some stones that work well for cleansing other crystals are: Quartz crystal clusters, Amethyst clusters, Satin Spar ("Selenite") charging plates" - Shanti Bowl

Before You Start:

• Check if water is safe for your crystal
• Keep fragile crystals away from direct sun
• Don't use salt on soft/porous stones
• Clean one crystal at a time

How to Charge Your Crystals

Here's how to power up your crystals using nature's energy sources:

Natural Energy Sources

The sun and moon pack different kinds of energy for your crystals:

Energy Source	Best Time	Duration	What It Does
Sun	9 AM - 3 PM	20-30 mins	Powers up energy, drive
Full Moon	Overnight	8-12 hours	Boosts inner wisdom
Earth/Soil	7 days	24/7	Resets, stabilizes

Want to know which crystals work best with each method? Here's the breakdown:

Method	Use These	Skip These
Sun	Citrine, Carnelian, Sunstone	Amethyst, Rose Quartz
Moon	Selenite, Moonstone, Labradorite	None
Earth	All crystals	None

"Crystals work like plants - they need earth, light and water to thrive." - Lyn & Leroi Healing Stones

Setting Up a Charging Space

For Moon Charging:

• Find a spot with clear moonlight
• Set crystals on wood or cotton
• Keep them away from electronics
• Let them soak up the full moon all night

For Sun Charging:

• Pick a safe spot (window or balcony)
• Set a timer
• Check every 10-15 minutes
• Take them out if they're hot

For Earth Charging:

• Dig 4-6 inches down
• Mark your spot
• Use natural cover
• Wait 7 days

Here's what each moon phase brings to your crystals:

Moon Phase	Best For
New Moon	Starting fresh
Waxing Moon	Building up
Full Moon	Peak power
Waning Moon	Letting go

"Just leave your crystal in the sun or on a windowsill for the day. That's all it takes!" - Claire Stone, Author

Things to Watch Out For

Here's what you need to know about keeping your crystals in top shape:

Crystal Type	Water Safe?	Sun Safe?	Special Care
Selenite	No - dissolves	Yes	Keep dry, use smoke
Malachite	No - toxic	Yes	No elixirs
Amethyst	Yes	No - fades	Moonlight only
Rose Quartz	Yes	No - loses color	Indoor/moonlight
Clear Quartz	Yes	Yes	All methods OK
Pyrite	No - sulfuric acid	Yes	Dry methods
Lapis Lazuli	No - loses shine	Yes	Sound or smoke
Moonstone	No - breaks down	Yes	Dry cleaning

Some crystals HATE water (those with MOH hardness under 5):

• Don't put them in water
• Skip the salt baths
• Stick to smoke or sound
• Keep them in dry spots

Some crystals DON'T like sun:

• No direct sunlight
• Store in dark spots
• Use moonlight instead
• Watch for fading

Here's how long to clean and charge your crystals:

Method	Time	Best For	When to Check
Sun	20-30 mins	Hard stones	Every 10 mins
Moon	8-12 hours	All crystals	Next morning
Earth	7 days	All crystals	Mark location
Sound	5-10 mins	All crystals	After session
Smoke	30 secs	All crystals	Smoke cleared

"The MOH hardness scale ranges from 1 to 10. Any crystal under 5 should never touch water - it's that simple." - Crystal Healing Guide

Before you start:

• Check hardness for water cleaning
• Look for color changes in sun
• Keep toxic ones dry
• Remember where you bury them

Pro tip: Morning sun (9 AM - 3 PM) works best, and full moon nights pack extra power. Don't rush earth charging - good things take time.

Taking Care of Your Crystals

Here's how to keep your crystals in top shape:

Daily and Weekly Care

Your crystals need regular attention. Here's a simple breakdown:

When	What to Do	Why It Matters
Daily	Quick dust wipe + energy check	Keeps crystals clean and active
Weekly	Deep clean + recharge	Removes built-up energy
Monthly	Full cleansing session	Restores crystal power
After bad vibes	Quick cleanse	Clears negative energy

Every morning, do these 4 things:

• Check for damage
• Wipe off dust
• Move from direct sun
• Check if they're dry

Once a week, go deeper:

• Clean off dirt
• Reset energy
• Look for water damage
• Move them if needed

How to Store Crystals

Not all crystals play nice together. Here's where to put them:

Crystal Type	Best Place	Stay Away From
Soft crystals	Fabric bags	Plastic boxes
Medium ones	Wood boxes	Metal containers
Hard stones	Glass cases	Sunny spots
All types	Natural fabric	Damp places

What You'll Need:

• Wood boxes (lined with fabric)
• Soft fabric bags
• Cool, dry spots
• No window spots

Price List:

• Wood Box (25 spots): CA$64.50
• Glass Case: CA$70.43
• Fabric Bags: CA$32.48

Quick Tips:

• Group similar crystals
• Use silk for fragile ones
• Add labels
• Check them monthly

Don't Put Together:

• Hard and soft crystals
• Water-sensitive with others
• Toxic with healing ones
• Sun-sensitive with sun-safe

Stack Your Storage:

• Bottom: Big crystals
• Middle: Daily crystals
• Top: Fragile ones
• Separate: Toxic ones

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Setting Goals with Your Crystals

Here's how to match crystals with your goals and get results:

Goal	Crystal	How to Use
Money & Success	Citrine	Place on desk or in wallet
Love & Heart	Rose Quartz	Hold during meditation
Peace & Focus	Amethyst	Keep by bedside
Protection	Black Tourmaline	Wear as jewelry
Clear Thinking	Clear Quartz	Hold while planning

Want to make it work? Here's what to do:

1. Pick ONE crystal that matches your goal
2. Clean it (like we covered before)
3. Hold it in your non-dominant hand
4. Say your goal OUT LOUD
5. Keep it where you'll see it every day

Here's a simple daily plan that works:

Time	Action	Purpose
Morning	5-min meditation	Set daily intention
Workday	Keep on desk	Stay focused
Evening	Journal with crystal	Track progress
Weekly	Reset intentions	Maintain energy

"Setting your intention and your connection with your crystal is as unique as a thumbprint." - Madison Young, Owner of Open Eye Crystals

Want to boost your results? Try these power pairs:

Main Goal	Primary Crystal	Support Crystal
Career Growth	Citrine	Tiger's Eye
Self-Love	Rose Quartz	Amethyst
Mental Focus	Fluorite	Clear Quartz
Spiritual Growth	Selenite	Spirit Quartz

"By choosing a crystal that aligns with your intention when meditating, you can deeply connect with the stone's healing energy." - Mary Ancillette, Crystal Healing Expert

What NOT to do:

• Don't use more than 2 crystals at once
• Don't skip cleaning your crystals
• Don't set fuzzy goals
• Don't mix crystals with opposite energies

Bottom line: Keep it simple. Focus on ONE goal with ONE main crystal. Check your progress each week. That's how you get results.

Fixing Common Problems

Here's what to do when your crystals aren't performing like they used to:

Problem	Solution	Time Needed
Dull/Heavy Energy	Sound reset (bowl/tuning fork)	5-10 minutes
Broken Crystal	Return to earth/garden	Same day
Lost Connection	Hand exercises	10-15 minutes
Weak Energy Field	Check crystal size vs space	Immediate

For fast resets:

Method	Steps	Best For
Sound Bath	Play loud music/use bowl	All crystals
Night Reset	Put in pillowcase overnight	Personal stones
Palm Work	Circle near left palm	Quartz points
Earth Time	Bury in soil (24 hours)	Broken pieces

"When your crystal stops working, reset it with loud music, a singing bowl, or a tuning fork - any note works fine." - Alycia Wicker, Author

Don't do these with broken crystals:

• Glue pieces back together
• Keep using if cracked
• Put them in the trash
• Store with harder stones

Watch for these signs:

• Heavy feeling in hand
• Dull or cloudy look
• New cracks
• Different energy feel

"Pick any method you like, but always work with respect and thanks." - Krista Mitchell, Author and Crystal Healer

For damaged crystals:

Issue	Fix	Expert Help
Scratches	Polish	See expert
Chips	Buff/re-cut	See expert
Cracks	Surface work	Replace if deep
Full Break	New cutting	Get new stone

Morning reset steps:

1. Hold in right hand
2. Face left palm
3. Circle both ways
4. Set purpose
5. Keep visible

"Just because a crystal didn't help once doesn't mean it WON'T work next time." - Ashley Leavy, Author

Safety and Good Practices

Let's talk about crystal safety. Some crystals contain harmful substances, so you need to handle them carefully.

Here are the crystals that need extra care:

Crystal Type	Safety Risk	Required Precautions
Malachite	Contains copper	Wear gloves, wash hands after handling
Cinnabar	Contains mercury	Handle with extreme care, avoid dust
Galena	Contains lead	Wash hands thoroughly
Realgar	Contains arsenic	Use gloves, store separately
Stibnite	Contains antimony	Prevent dust, wash after contact

The basics of crystal safety are simple: wash your hands, don't put crystals near your mouth, and wear gloves when handling toxic stones. Keep them away from kids and pets, and don't create dust by grinding or sanding them.

"Always wash your hands after handling any of your crystals." - Karen Frazier, Author

Storage Tips

Different crystals need different storage methods:

Crystal Type	Storage Container	Location Tips
Light-sensitive	Dark wooden box	Away from windows
Water-sensitive	Dry fabric pouch	Away from humidity
Toxic varieties	Sealed container	High shelf, labeled
Soft crystals	Individual wrapping	Padded container

For soft stones (those under 5 on Mohs scale), you'll need special care:

Stone Type	Protection Needed	Storage Tips
Selenite	Bubble wrap	Individual pouch
Howlite	Cloth pouch	Away from harder stones
Fluorite	Padded container	Separate compartment
Calcite	Soft fabric wrap	Individual storage

What NOT to Do:

• Make crystal elixirs without proper research
• Handle toxic crystals with bare hands
• Keep crystals next to electronics
• Mix soft and hard stones
• Leave crystals in direct sunlight

"If you are particularly sensitive to substances, research a crystal before buying it to ensure it doesn't contain anything toxic." - Karen Frazier, Author

Remember: When in doubt, store crystals separately and always use protection when handling potentially toxic stones.

Tools You'll Need

Here's what you need to clean and charge your crystals:

Cleaning Supplies

Supply Type	Items	Use Case
Water Sources	Fresh water, river water, rainwater	Basic cleaning
Sound Tools	Tuning bowls, singing bowls	Energy reset
Herbs	White sage, palo santo, cedar	Smoke cleaning
Basic Items	Brown rice, microfiber cloth	Physical cleaning
Earth Items	Clean soil, garden dirt	Grounding

"The frequency of sound is so effective on crystals", says Suzanna Finley, crystal curator and founder of Mineralogy Project.

Charging Tools

Tool Type	Items	Best For
Light Sources	Window sill, outdoor space	Sun/moon exposure
Crystal Bases	Selenite plates, clear quartz	Direct crystal charging
Sound Items	Bells, tuning forks	Sound charging
Herbs/Incense	Sandalwood, lavender, jasmine	Smoke methods
Storage	Wooden boxes, fabric pouches	Safe keeping

"Crystals tend to hold on to the energy they're exposed to—which isn't always a good thing", says Imani Quinn, modern mystic.

Here's what different kits cost:

Kit Type	Contents	Price
Home Cleansing Kit	Sage, Palo Santo, Selenite	$12.11
Crystal Healing Set	15-piece collection	$23.52
Smudging Kit	Palo Santo, Sage, Selenite	$13.53
Prosperity Kit	White Sage, Palo Santo, Pyrite	$19.99

Before you start:

• Test crystal hardness before water cleaning
• Keep tools and crystals in different spots
• Store herbs in dry areas
• Switch out old or worn tools

"To cleanse your stones by burning sacred herbs, pass your stones through the smoke for approximately two to three minutes", says Ashley Leavy, founder and educational director of the Love and Light School of Crystal Therapy.

Wrap-Up

Here's what you need to know about crystal care, broken down into simple steps and practical tables:

Care Area	Main Steps	Frequency
Cleansing	Use sage, water, or sound	Monthly or after heavy use
Charging	Moonlight, sunlight, or larger stones	During full moon or as needed
Storage	Wooden boxes, fabric pouches	Always
Space Setup	Clean area, away from electronics	Daily
Intention Setting	State purpose clearly	Before each use

"Just like we get depleted, our crystals get fatigued and need a boost every now and again, some more than others." - Debra Kristi, Author

Here's what works (and what doesn't):

Crystal Type	Best Cleansing Method	Best Charging Method
Clear Quartz	Running water	Sunlight
Selenite	Smoke cleansing	Moonlight
Malachite	Sound healing	Other crystals
Amethyst	Brown rice	Moonlight

"Crystals and gemstones look nice when set on shelves or displayed, but in order to get the most benefits out of them, they must be incorporated into a ritual, practice, or treatment." - Andrea Barone, CEO and founder of Crystal Hills Organics

How Long Should Each Method Take?

• Smoke cleansing: 2-3 minutes per crystal
• Water rinse: 1 minute under running water
• Moon charging: 4-8 hours minimum
• Sun charging: 1-2 hours (morning light only)
• Earth cleansing: 24 hours in soil

4 Must-Know Tips:

• Test crystal hardness before using water
• Keep cleansing tools in their own space
• Store herbs in dry areas
• Switch out old tools when they're worn down

That's it! These steps will keep your crystals in top shape for your practice.

FAQs

How to properly cleanse crystals with sage?

Want to cleanse your crystals with sage? Here are the two main ways to do it:

Method	Steps	Duration	Best For
Loose Sage Burial	1. Put crystals in container 2. Cover with loose sage leaves 3. Place on windowsill	4-8 hours	Delicate crystals
Sage Smoke	1. Light sage bundle 2. Let it burn briefly 3. Blow out flame 4. Move crystal through smoke	30 seconds per crystal	Harder stones

Here's what you NEED to know for the best results:

• Open your windows during smoke cleansing
• Set containers where moonlight hits them
• Think about what you want to achieve
• Don't mix cleansing sage with cooking sage

"Crystals and gemstones look nice when set on shelves or displayed, but in order to get the most benefits out of them, they must be incorporated into a ritual, practice, or treatment." - Andrea Barone, CEO and founder of Crystal Hills Organics

Stay safe while cleansing:

• Keep your space well-ventilated
• Watch out for smoke detectors
• Keep an eye on burning sage
• Check if your crystal can handle your chosen method

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