How to Cleanse Your Crystals (and When You Really Need To)

You’ve got your beautiful crystals. You love them. You work with them. Maybe you meditate with them, place them on your altar, or carry one in your pocket like a sparkly sidekick. But here’s the thing most people don’t talk about enough: your crystals need cleansing, too.

Yep—even the highest-vibe stones can get energetically gunked up from daily use, heavy emotions, or just hanging out in busy environments.

So how do you know when it’s time to cleanse your crystals? How do you do it without overcomplicating things? And what’s the deal with the moon, Selenite, and all that good stuff?

Let’s break it all down and bust some myths while we’re at it.

Why You Need to Cleanse Your Crystals

Crystals are energetic tools. Just like a sponge soaks up water, they absorb and hold onto energy—both the good and the not-so-good.

Any time you:

• Use a crystal for healing or manifestation
• Work with a new stone
• Carry it through emotionally heavy situations
• Use it in a reading or ritual

…you’ll want to give it a little refresh to keep its energy pure and aligned with your intention.

Think of it like taking a shower after a long day—it’s not just about staying clean, it’s about feeling reset and recharged.

How Often Should You Cleanse Your Crystals?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s a good general guide:

• Daily-use crystals (worn or carried often): Weekly
• Meditation or ritual crystals: After each session
• Altar/display stones: Once a month
• New crystals: Cleanse before using

And trust your intuition. If a crystal feels “off,” heavier than usual, or not working the way it usually does—it’s probably time for a cleanse.

6 Simple Ways to Cleanse Your Crystals

Now for the fun part. Cleansing your crystals doesn’t have to be complicated or dramatic. These methods are easy, safe, and powerful—and you can pick the one that resonates most with your practice.

1. Selenite (Effortless, Gentle, and Powerful)

Let’s start with the MVP of crystal cleansing: Selenite. This high-vibrational stone clears energy without needing to be cleansed itself. Simply place your crystals on a Selenite Charging Plate or in a Selenite Bowl and let them rest for a few hours (or overnight).

Perfect for:

• Daily maintenance
• Delicate crystals that can’t handle water or sunlight
• Quick, low-maintenance cleansing

Our Selenite Bowls and Charging Plates are designed to make this process seamless—just set it and forget it.

2. Moonlight (Especially During the Full Moon)

There’s something undeniably magical about placing your crystals under a glowing full moon. The Full Moon’s energy is perfect for clearing out old vibes and recharging intentions.

How to do it:

• Place your crystals outside or on a windowsill where they can soak up the moonlight
• Leave them overnight, preferably where the moonlight touches them
• Bring them in the next morning

Bonus tip: Use one of our Full Moon Ritual Kits to supercharge the experience with intention-setting tools and guidance.

3. Smoke Cleansing (Sacred & Traditional)

Using sacred smoke—like sage, palo santo, or herbal bundles—is a traditional and effective way to cleanse crystals, your space, and yourself.

How to do it:

• Light your smoke bundle and let it smolder
• Pass your crystal through the smoke for 30–60 seconds
• Set an intention (example: “I clear this stone of all energies that no longer serve”)

This method is especially great for clearing stones that have been in heavy emotional use or in spaces with a lot of foot traffic.

4. Sound Cleansing (High Vibration, No Touch Needed)

Sound healing with singing bowls, bells, chimes, or tuning forks can break up stagnant energy and restore your crystals to their natural frequency.

Perfect for:

• Group cleansing (you can cleanse multiple stones at once)
• Crystals you don’t want to handle directly
• Charging your space and tools at the same time

Simply surround your crystals with sound by playing your instrument nearby with intention.

5. Earth (Bury & Recharge)

This one is for the purists—return your crystals to the Earth to cleanse and ground their energy. Gently bury them in the soil for 24–48 hours, then rinse them (if safe to do so) and set a new intention.

Use caution: Some crystals, especially soft or water-soluble ones, shouldn’t get wet or dirty. This is best for durable stones like Clear Quartz, Black Tourmaline, and Jasper.

6. Water (Use with Caution)

Some crystals love a refreshing rinse under cool, running water—but not all crystals are water-safe.

Avoid water with:

• Selenite
• Lepidolite
• Malachite
• Pyrite
• Any soft, porous, or layered stones

If your crystal is safe for water (like Clear Quartz or Amethyst), let cool water flow over it for a few minutes while visualizing the energy washing clean.

Cleansing vs. Charging: What’s the Difference?

Quick myth-busting moment: cleansing and charging are not the same thing.

• Cleansing = removing unwanted or stagnant energy
• Charging = amplifying and filling with fresh, intentional energy

The beauty of methods like Selenite and moonlight? They cleanse and charge at the same time. But if you’re doing a deeper cleanse, you may want to follow up with intention setting, visualization, or placing your stone in sunlight (if safe) for a boost.

Make Crystal Cleansing Part of Your Rituals

Just like you care for your mind and body, your spiritual tools deserve the same love. Regular cleansing keeps your crystals clear, your manifestations focused, and your energy aligned.

Whether you’re using Selenite Bowls, a Full Moon Ritual Kit, sacred smoke, or sound, the goal is the same: refresh the energy so your crystals can support you at their best.

Explore our collection of Selenite Charging Plates, Cleansing Tools, and Ritual Kits to keep your crystal companions—and your vibe—clear and high.