How to Cleanse and Charge Crystals: A Beginner’s Guide

It's important to cleanse and charge crystals regularly, to keep them energetically clear and working their best. Here are several easy ways to do just that.

Crystals and Energy

Crystals have the ability to absorb and store energy, and over time that energy can become depleted or even negative. By cleansing and charging your crystals, you can reset their energy and optimize their healing properties.

There are many methods for cleansing and charging crystals, and it's important to find the ones that work best for you and your crystals. Some popular methods include running water, salt water, sunlight, moonlight, and sound. Each of these different ways to cleanse and clear the energy has its own unique benefits and can be tailored to the specific needs of you and your crystals: this also keeps you tuned in to them. By taking the time to cleanse and charge your crystals regularly, you can deepen your connection to them and enhance their healing power.

Why Cleanse and Charge Crystals

As you use your crystals for healing and other purposes, they absorb negative energy and can become depleted of their own energy. Cleansing and charging your crystals of unwanted energy is essential to keep them powerful and effective.

Crystals are believed to have their own energy and can help balance your own energy. However, if they are not cleansed regularly, they can become clogged with negative vibes, which can interfere with their ability to help you. Cleansing your crystals helps to remove any negative energy that has been absorbed and return them to their natural state.

Charging your crystals is like recharging batteries. When you use your crystals for healing, energy work, or other purposes, they become depleted of their own energy. Charging them helps to restore their energy and power, making them more effective.

Crystal healing is a popular practice that involves using crystals to balance your energy and promote healing. Cleansing and charging your crystals is an important part of this practice, as it helps to ensure that your crystals are working at their full potential.

Overall, cleansing and charging your crystals is essential to keep them powerful and effective. By doing so, you can ensure that your crystals are always ready to help you balance your energy and promote healing.

Methods of Cleansing Crystals

When it comes to cleansing your crystals, there are several methods you can use. Each method has its own benefits, so it's important to choose the one that's right for your specific crystal. Here are some methods you can use:

• Water: One of the easiest ways to cleanse your crystals is to use water. You can either hold your crystal under running water or place it in a bowl of water. While it is popular on social media to see crystals charged in ocean water or running rivers (and looks really inviting!), if you choose this method you need to be extremely careful that you won't drop your crystal and lose it. Additionally, not all crystals can be cleansed with water, so make sure you check whether your crystal is water-safe before using this method.
• Salt: Another popular crystal cleansing method is using salt. The type of salt does not matter as much: you can choose rock salt, sea salt, Himalayan salt, or even regular table salt, depending on your preference and/or what you have on hand. To use this method, you can either bury your crystal in the salt or simply place it in a bowl of salt. However, not all crystals can be cleansed with salt, so make sure you check if your crystal is salt-safe before using this method. 
• Earth: Placing your crystal in the earth is another effective method for cleansing. You can either bury your crystal in the earth or place it in a pot of soil. This method is particularly effective for grounding your crystal.
• Sage, herbs, or fragrant woods: Burning sage or herbs such as rosemary, lavender, or cedar is a popular method for cleansing crystals. Simply light a sage bundle and hold your crystal in the smoke. This method is particularly effective for removing negative energy from your crystal. It's also one of the best options for softer stones or other crystals that shouldn't be cleansed with some of the other methods listed here.
• Selenite: Selenite is a self-cleansing crystal that can also be used to cleanse other crystals. Simply place your crystal on a piece of selenite or in a selenite bowl and leave it for a few hours. Using selenite slabs, bowls, or plates to cleanse crystals is a great way to cleanse them passively: you can just set them on the selenite overnight or for 6-8 hours. This method is particularly effective for fragile crystals, crystal jewelry, and smaller pieces.
• Palo Santo: Similar to sage, burning palo santo is another effective method for cleansing crystals. Simply light the palo santo and hold your crystal in the smoke.
• Himalayan Salt Lamps: Himalayan salt lamps are another effective method for cleansing crystals. Simply place your crystal near the salt lamp and leave it for a few hours. This method is particularly effective for removing negative energy from your crystal.

Overall, there are many different methods you can use to cleanse your crystals. It's important to choose the method that's right for your specific crystal, and to cleanse your crystal regularly to keep it functioning at its highest level.

Methods of Charging Crystals

After cleansing your crystals, it's essential to charge them to amplify their energy. Here are some methods you can use to charge your crystals:

• Under the Full Moon: Placing your crystals under the light of the full moon is one of the most popular ways to charge them. The full moon's energy is potent and can help clear and charge your crystals. Simply place your crystals outside or on a windowsill where they can soak up the direct moonlight. Leave them out overnight, and they'll be charged and ready to use in the morning.
• In Sunlight: Like the moon, the sun is a powerful source of energy and natural light that can energetically charge your crystals. However, not all crystals can handle direct sunlight, as some may fade or crack. It's best to check which crystals can handle sunlight before exposing them to it: for example, amethyst can easily fade in direct sunlight, so sunlight is not the best option for charging your amethyst crystals. Place your crystals outside or on a windowsill where they can soak up the sunlight for a few hours.
• Using Moon Water: Moon water is water that has been charged by the light of the moon. It's a powerful tool for charging your crystals and can be used in a variety of ways. To make moon water, place a jar of water outside under the light of the full moon overnight. In the morning, your water will be charged and ready to use. You can either place your crystals in the water or use the water to cleanse and charge them.
• Using Nature: Crystals come from the earth, so it's no surprise that they respond well to natural energy. You can charge your crystals by placing them outside in nature, such as in a garden or near a tree. The energy from the earth and plants will help charge your crystals.
• Using Other Crystals: Some crystals are excellent at charging other crystals. You can place your crystals on top of a larger crystal, such as a quartz cluster or amethyst geode, to charge them. The larger crystal will help amplify the energy of your smaller crystals.

Remember, different crystals may respond better to different charging methods, so it's essential to experiment and find what works best for you and your crystals.

Smoke Cleansing

Smoke cleansing is a popular way to cleanse crystals. This method involves burning fragrant or sacred herbs and/or wood, such as sage, palo santo, incense sticks, frankincense, lavender, and myrrh, and moving the smoke throughout your space.

To perform smoke cleansing, you will need to gather your chosen herbs or wood and a heatproof incense holder. Light the herbs or wood and allow them to burn for a few seconds before blowing out the flame. The smoke will continue to smolder, and you can use it to cleanse your crystals.

Hold your crystals in the smoke, allowing the smoke to envelop them completely. Visualize the smoke removing any negative energy or impurities from your crystals and leaving them cleansed and charged.

It's important to practice fire safety when using this method. Always use a heatproof incense holder and never leave burning herbs or wood unattended.

Smoke cleansing is a highly personal practice, and you can experiment with different herbs and woods to find what works best for you. Some people prefer sage, while others prefer palo santo. You can also mix and match herbs to create your own unique blend.

Overall, smoke cleansing is a simple and effective way to cleanse and charge your crystals. It's a great option for those who prefer a more hands-on approach to crystal care.

Sound and Crystal Cleansing

Sound is one of the most powerful tools for cleansing and charging crystals. Sound vibration can help to remove negative energy from your crystals and raise their vibrational frequency. There are several ways to use sound to cleanse and charge your crystals, including sound baths, Tibetan singing bowls, and tuning forks.

A sound bath is a type of meditation that uses sound to promote relaxation and healing. During a sound bath, you lie down and listen to the sound of various instruments, such as singing bowls, gongs, and chimes. The sound waves produced by these instruments can help to balance your chakras and promote deep relaxation. You can place your crystals around you during a sound bath to help them absorb the vibrations.

Singing bowls are another popular tool for cleansing and charging crystals with sound. When you strike a singing bowl, it produces a harmonic sound that can help to remove negative energy from your crystals. You can place your crystals inside the sound bowl or around the bowl to help them absorb the sound vibrations.

Tuning forks are another tool that can be used to cleanse and charge crystals with sound. When you strike a tuning fork, it produces a specific frequency that can help to balance the energy in your crystals. You can hold the tuning fork near your crystals or strike it and place it near your crystals to help them absorb the vibrations.

Overall, sound is a powerful tool for cleansing and charging crystals. Sound vibrations can help to remove negative energy and raise the vibrational frequency of your crystals. Whether you choose to use a sound bath, singing bowl, or tuning fork, incorporating sound into your crystal cleansing routine can help to enhance the energy of your crystals.

Using Intention and Visualization

Using intention and visualization is a personal and powerful method to charge your crystals. This technique involves holding your crystal in your hands, closing your eyes, and setting your intention for the energy you want to infuse into the crystal. Here are a few steps to follow:

1. Find a quiet and comfortable place where you won't be disturbed. Sit down and take a few deep breaths to calm your mind and body.
2. Hold your crystal in your hands and focus your attention on it. Feel its weight, texture, and temperature. Notice any sensations or vibrations you might feel.
3. Visualize the energy you want to infuse into the crystal. Imagine a bright white light surrounding the crystal and filling it with your intention. You can also use a phrase or mantra to help focus your intention, such as “love,” “peace,” “healing,” or any other word that resonates with you.
4. Hold the intention for a few minutes, feeling the energy flowing from your hands into the crystal. You can also repeat the process several times to strengthen the charge.

Using intention and visualization can help you program your crystals with specific goals and intentions, as well as overall positive vibes. It can also help you gain clarity and reflection on your own energy and emotions. Remember to always cleanse your crystals before and after using them, and to trust your intuition when working with them.

Cleansing and Charging Your Crystals

In conclusion, cleansing and charging your crystals is an essential part of your crystal journey. By doing so, you can ensure that your crystals are working at their highest potential and providing you with the energy and healing properties that you seek. It also ensures that you're releasing any stagnant energy and beginning your crystal practices with a clean slate.

There are many different methods to cleanse and charge your crystals, including running water, sound vibrations, sunlight and moonlight, and more. It is important to find a method that resonates with you. This way, you're tapping into your own intuition and energy to help you cleanse your crystals and keep their energy clear and ready to infuse with your positive intentions.

Remember to take care of your crystals by storing them properly and handling them with care. When cleansing and charging your crystals, trust your intuition and give them an extra round if you feel they need it.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy the many benefits that crystals have to offer and enhance your spiritual and physical well-being.

Want to Learn More about Clearing + Cleansing?

The RENEW Masterclass teaches you simple ways to clear and cleanse your space, your crystals, and yourself, with a focus on clearing out the stagnant – and bringing in fresh, new energy.

You'll learn about the connection between spring energy (when this masterclass was first offered) and space cleansing, as well as a video overview of crystals for spring: so it's perfect for spring, the equinox, the beginning of any month (fresh, “resetting” energy), or any time you feel like clearing the air.

This masterclass includes: 

• Approx. 75 minutes of video-based instruction on space clearing, the energy of renewal, and crystals for spring
• 10 journal prompts for the spring equinox
• 40 ideas to harness the clearing, cleansing energy of spring

It's the perfect way to “spring forward” and connect with the energy of spring, cleansing, clearing, renewal, and rebirth.