Crystal Care & Cleaning
Hopefully by now, crystals have gained some credibility with you. Like all expressions of life, crystals need love to remain strong and healthy. Let’s briefly review what they do, so we understand why they require maintenance.
Crystals help release energetic impurities and blockages. During that process, some of those impurities and blockages may cling to the surface of the stone. These disharmonious energies may accumulate and inhibit its ability to work at peak capacity. Regular cleansing clears these energies and restores crystals to their naturally vibrant and charged state.
These are some general guidelines to get you started, so please research specific crystals for care and maintenance recommendations. Not all crystals appreciate or tolerate water, sun, salt, and so on. Let’s have a look at some sensible guidelines.
Obviously, don’t be careless with your crystals. Please do carry them around with you, but do it wisely. Crystals are readily available as bracelets and necklaces. Not only are they beautiful accessories, crystal jewelry puts you in direct contact with the stones. Crystal cage necklaces are another option. Cages are nifty wire pendants that are designed to hold small crystals.
Pockets run the risk of loss or damage, but bras… That’s one way I identify my people- rocks fall out of their bras when they bend over! Some crystals have softer surfaces so if you do free-range carry them, protect them from chips and scratches.
Avoid storing crystals near electromagnetic fields such as televisions, cell phones, or computers. Many crystals actually work to clear EMF energy, and those crystals need a bit more attention. Likewise, avoid directly exposing crystals to x-rays. The x-ray energy may be absorbed by the crystal and overwhelm it.
Avoid wearing gems in the shower or bath to avoid exposing them to shampoo and soap. So, remove your crystal jewelry before taking that soak. Bracelet and necklace cords are often made of synthetic material that may stretch or shrink with water contact. Chlorinated pools and hot tubs are also a no-go.
Avoid smoking, environmental chemicals and synthetic perfume around your crystals. The fumes and chemicals can interfere with the free flow of a stone’s energy.
Now that you have some general guidelines, let’s look at cleansing options. Everyone has a different idea of how and when to cleanse crystals. If you like structure and order, then for sure create a cleansing schedule. Otherwise, do what works for you and your crystal. Generally, clean your crystals regularly and after any times of excessive use or exposure to dis-harmonious energy.
Will you know when your crystal needs to be cleaned? Likely… maybe… probably. If you are working with your crystal and it feels a little off, then it’s time for a clean. Yes, crystals can accumulate a build-up of energy. But are you really going to blame your crystals when life gets wonky? For sure, start your cleansing process with your crystals but it would take some pretty serious guck to make a crystal destroy your Zen.
When you first bring your crystal home, give it a clean. Like everything, crystals pick up energy throughout the process of harvesting, refining, handling, packaging, etc. So clear them out when you purchase them. You don’t need to wait for a full moon, although, that’s so much fun to do!
The easiest and fastest way to clean a crystal is by smudging it. Smudge aka Sage, are dried herbs that create purifying smoke when burned. Open a window or door and light some Sage. Blow out the flame. Wave the smudge stick so that the smoke covers the crystal. 60 seconds should do it and multiple crystals can be smudged at once.
Sound baths involve vibrations from a tuning fork, singing bowl, or bell. Sound the instrument of choice and pass the crystals through the vibrations.
Now I know I said no showers or baths, but water is a powerful cleanser. Alternate warm and cold running water for 60 seconds on crystals to clean them. Not all crystals can get wet, so investigate specific crystals for water tolerance. Live near an ocean? Carefully soak your crystals in that amazing salt water!
Speaking of salt, salt absorbs all kind of disharmonious energy. Place crystals overnight in a dish filled with fresh non-iodine salt for a salt bath.
Essential oils are another high vibrational energy source. Run a diffuser around your crystals and allow the essential oils to cleanse them. Here’s your reminder that not all crystals like water or moisture.
Soil and plants love crystals and vice versa. So make use of your house plants and place a crystal at the base of a plant overnight to be cleaned. Even better, go outside and find a tree to help out. Dig a little in the soil and bury the crystal overnight for a deeper clean.
Speaking of outside, sunlight and moonlight are amazing! Both clear, energize, and revitalize crystals. 5-20 minutes of sunshine or overnight under a full moon (feeling witchy yet?!) are like roses and chocolates to crystals. Take some precautions with this. Protect your crystals from weather elements like rain and wind. Curious birds and animals can cause some shenanigans too. Not all crystals tolerate the sun for various reasons, so do your research.
And lastly, some crystals are just cleaning powerhouses. They do all the heavy lifting for you. Citrine, Carnelian, Clear Quartz, Selenite, Hematite, Kyanite, and Amethyst are some of the big names in the cleaning department. Selenite in particular, is affordable and available as a flat tray that crystals can be stored on. Otherwise, simply place your crystals beside or on these cleaning stones and let them do their thing.
Don’t panic if you’ve never cleaned your crystals. They have been around way longer than you have. And they know what they are doing. However, we take care of what we love around here so show some love and respect to your crystals!
