The Ultimate Guide to Cleansing and Charging Your Crystals

By Dr. Neeti Kaushik

Crystals are powerful energy tools that absorb and store vibrations from their surroundings. Whether you use them for healing, manifestation, meditation, or simply as decorative pieces, their energy must be regularly cleansed and charged to maintain their effectiveness.

When a crystal passes through multiple hands—miners, traders, sellers, and finally, to you—it accumulates energy that may not be aligned with your personal intentions. Additionally, regular use of crystals for emotional healing or energy work can cause them to absorb negativity, making cleansing essential.

This detailed guide is divided into two sections:

• Cleansing Your Crystals – Removing negative or stagnant energy
• Charging Your Crystals – Replenishing and amplifying their power

Section 1: Cleansing Your Crystals

Cleansing is the process of removing accumulated energies from a crystal, ensuring that it functions at its highest potential. Crystals absorb both positive and negative energies from their surroundings, and cleansing them resets their vibration.

Step 1: Physical Cleaning of Crystals

Before addressing energetic cleansing, it’s crucial to physically clean your crystals. Dust, dirt, and oils from handling can build up on the surface, dulling their natural luster and affecting their ability to transmit energy effectively.

A.Water Cleansing (With Precautions!)

Water is one of the simplest ways to clean crystals physically, but not all crystals are water-safe. Some dissolve, crack, or lose their sheen when exposed to moisture.

Crystals That Can Be Cleansed with Water:

These are generally hard and non-porous stones that tolerate water well.

• Clear Quartz – One of the most durable crystals, ideal for water cleansing
• Amethyst – Water-safe, though prolonged sun exposure can fade it
• Citrine – Safe in water, but excessive sun exposure can alter its color
• Aventurine – Can handle water but should be dried properly
• Jasper – Durable and safe for water cleansing
• Agate – Non-porous and water-resistant
• Rose Quartz – Water-safe but can fade in sunlight
• Carnelian – Generally safe, but avoid long exposure to water

Crystals That Should NOT Be Cleansed with Water:

Some crystals are soft, porous, or metallic, which makes them unsafe for water cleansing.

• Selenite – Dissolves when exposed to moisture
• Hawlite – Extremely water-soluble
• Lapis Lazuli – Contains iron, which can rust when wet
• Malachite – Toxic when wet due to copper content
• Pyrite – Can oxidize and form rust
• Hematite – Can corrode and leave stains

How to Clean Water-Safe Crystals:

• Running Water Method – Hold the crystal under cool running water for 30–60 seconds while setting an intention.
• Soaking Method – Place the crystal in a bowl of clean, filtered water for a few hours.
• Saltwater Method (Caution!) – Only for hard stones like Clear Quartz or Black Tourmaline; avoid porous or metallic crystals.

How to Clean Water-Unsafe Crystals:

• Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe them down.
• Use a soft-bristle brush (like a makeup brush) to remove dust.
• Opt for energetic cleansing methods instead.

Step 2: Energetic Cleansing of Crystals

Once physically cleaned, crystals need to remove residual vibrations.

A. Smoke Cleansing (Smudging) – A Sacred Ritual

Burning sacred herbs clears energetic blockages.

Best Herbs for Smudging:

 

 

• Sage – Deep energy clearing
• Palo Santo – Uplifting and purifying
• Camphor – Used in sacred rituals
•  Guggal (Indian Myrrh) , Loban

How to Do It:

1. Light the herb or incense.
2. Hold your crystal in the smoke for 30–60 seconds.
3. Set an intention for purification.

B. Earth Cleansing – Deep Energy Reset

Burying crystals in the soil allows them to release negativity and absorb grounding energy.

How to Do It:

1. Choose a Sacred Spot – A garden, backyard, or plant pot.
2. Dig a Small Hole – Bury the crystal at least 3 inches deep.
3. Mark the Spot – Use a small stone or tag to remember where it is.
4. Leave for 24 Hours to a Month – The longer, the deeper the cleansing.

Best for: Black Tourmaline, Smoky Quartz, Obsidian, and Hematite.                   

C. Sound Cleansing – Instant Energy Reset

Sound vibrations can shake off stagnant energy.

Tools for Sound Cleansing:

• Tibetan singing bowls
• Tuning forks
• Chimes or bells
• Mantras like ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’
• Conch shell

Hold the crystal in your hand and play the sound close to it.

Self-Cleansing Crystals – Do They Need Cleansing?

Some crystals are considered self-cleansing, meaning they naturally repel negative energy and do not require frequent cleansing. One such crystal is selenite, which is self-cleansing and also has the ability to cleanse other crystals around it.

Essential Oils – NOT Recommended

While essential oils are widely used in wellness, they are not recommended for cleansing crystals. Many stones are porous, meaning oils can soak in, stain the stone, or alter its chemical structure.

Instead of using essential oils on crystals, use them for personal energy cleansing, such as diffusing them while meditating with your crystals.

Section 2: Charging Your Crystals

Once cleansed, your crystal needs to be to restore its energy and amplify its vibrational power. Cleansing removes unwanted energy, but charging replenishes and strengthens the crystal’s natural abilities.

1. Moonlight Charging – Gentle Yet Powerful

Moonlight is one of the safest ways to charge any crystal, as it carries soft, feminine, and intuitive energy.

How to Charge Crystals in Moonlight:

1. Check the lunar calendar – The full moon is the most potent time. Apart from this you can charge your crystals on every New Moon, First Quarter Moon and Last Quarter Moon.

Avoid Charging them during Lunar an Solar Eclipse.

1. Place crystals outside or on a windowsill overnight.
2. Retrieve them the next morning before the sunrise and wipe away any dew.

Best for: All crystals, especially those used for emotional healing, like Rose Quartz, Amethyst, and Moonstone.

2. Sunlight Charging – Strong & Dynamic

Sunlight is an intense energy source, perfect for charging stones with high-energy properties. However, some crystals fade under prolonged sun exposure.

How to Charge Crystals in Sunlight:

• Place them in direct sunlight for 30–60 minutes (best in the morning).
• If the stone is sensitive to sunlight, keep it in indirect light.

Crystals That Are Sun-Safe:

• Carnelian
• Tiger’s Eye
• Sunstone
• Black Tourmaline

Crystals That Fade in Sunlight (Charge in Moonlight Instead!):

• Amethyst
• Rose Quartz
• Fluorite
• Celestite

3. Selenite Charging – The Easiest Method

Selenite is one of the most powerful self-cleansing and charging stones and can charge other crystals effortlessly.

How to Use Selenite for Charging:

• Place your crystals on a Selenite plate or in a Selenite bowl overnight.
• It will absorb negative energy and recharge the stones.

4.Crystal Grids – Amplifying Energy

Crystal grids use sacred geometric patterns to charge multiple stones at once.

How to Use Crystal Grids for Charging:

• Arrange crystals in a specific shape (like a flower of life).
• Place a central charging stone (like Clear Quartz or Selenite) in the middle.
• Set an intention and leave the grid undisturbed for 24 hours.

5. Intention Charging – Your Personal Energy Matters

Your energy and intentions play a vital role in how a crystal functions.

How to Charge with Intention:

1. Hold the crystal in your hand.
2. Close your eyes and take deep breaths.
3. Set a clear, focused intention (e.g., “This crystal is charged with love and healing energy.”).
4. Visualize golden light surrounding and energizing the stone.

6.Charging Crystals by Placing Them in a Temple

Crystals can be charges by placing them in a sacred space, such as a temple or meditation altar.

How to Use This Method:

1. Place the crystals in a glass bowl and set them near deities, spiritual idols, or in a meditation space..
2. Allow them to absorb the divine energy for a few hours or overnight.
3. Optionally, chant mantras or play spiritual music to enhance the charging.

This method works well for crystals used in spiritual practices, such as Amethyst, Labradorite, and Lapis Lazuli.

How Often Should You Cleanse and Charge Your Crystals?

• New Crystals – Immediately after purchase
• Daily Use Crystals – Daily after the use
• Healing Crystals – After every session
• Display Crystals – Once a month

Final Thoughts

Cleansing and charging your crystals ensures they function at their highest potential. Whether you prefer moonlight, smudging, or earth cleansing, follow what resonates with you.

Which cleansing method do you prefer? Let me know in the comments!