How to Cleanse Crystals: 7 Ways that Really Work
Crystal enthusiasts, are you ready to take your love for crystals to the next level? Have you ever stopped to think about the energy they absorb and hold, not just from you but from the environment as well? That’s right, crystals can become cluttered with negative energy and it’s important to cleanse them regularly to keep their energy flowing and vibrant.
So, are you ready to learn how to give your crystals a spa day? Stick with us, because we’re about to show you everything you need to know about cleansing your crystals and keeping their energy at its peak. Get ready to level up your crystal game!
Cleansing your crystals is important for maintaining their power and energy. This article will teach you how to cleanse crystals the right way, including what not to use.
Follow these steps to keep your crystals cleansed and charged. Don’t forget that this cleansing process should be done regularly. Crystal cleansing is an easy ritual with so many benefits.
There are many ways to cleanse a crystal, here are the most popular methods of how to cleanse crystals for beginners and enthusiasts, that really work.
- Water
- Earth
- Air
- Fire
- Celestial energies
- Crystals
- Intention
7 Practical Ways to Cleanse Your Crystals
Explore different ways to cleanse your crystals of negative energies or unwanted vibrations. Use any method that resonates with you, or is practical and easy to use at the time, depending on your circumstances.
You can use one or more methods or combinations. I prefer to use at least one method for each of the four elements: Water, Earth, Air and Fire, to make sure all elemental bases are covered.
1. How to Cleanse Crystals With the Water Element

Running Water
The Water element is a great cleansing agent, You can use purified water or even tap water to cleanse your crystal by holding it under the running tap water for a few minutes then putting your crystal in the sun to be charged and energized. For more ways to charge your crystals, read my guide on how to charge and activate your crystals.
Not all crystals can be cleansed with water. Some may rust, and others, like Selenite, might even dissolve. the following crystals should not go in water: Selenite, Lepidolite, Azurite, Malachite, Calcite, Angelite, Halite (Rock Salt), Celestite, Fluorite, and Rhodocrosite.
You may also want to read our guide on how to store crystals.
The Sea
If you live near a sea, lake, stream, or a large body of water, take your crystal and cleanse it in the sea or lake water. Let the water wash over your crystals for several minutes with the intention of cleansing it of any negative influences. Then put it in the sun to be charged.
2. How to Cleanse Crystals With the Earth Element

Sea Salt
Salt is a powerful cleansing substance of the Earth element. Salt has been used as a purifying agent since ancient times. You can soak the crystal in sea salt for 24 hours and then rinse it with pure water and put it in the sun to be charged and energized.
Please note that some softer crystals such as Moldavite, are not to be used with salt.
You can also soak your crystals in salt water and leave it for one, three or seven days.
Preferably use three tablespoons of sea salt to one cup of water. Put your crystals in a glass container. Use enough salt water to cover the stones. Put the whole container in sunlight. Using this method, you combine and multiply the powers and energies of the Sun as well as the Element of Earth and Element of Water.
3. How to Cleanse Crystals With the the Air Element

Smudging
Use incense and the power of the Air element to cleanse and clear your crystals. You can use Sage, Palo Santo or Frankincense incense, which you can conveniently get as a kit from Amazon.
We recommend sage smudge kit
How to Cleanse Crystals with Incense
Simply light some incense (preferably resin frankincense, or myrrh) and pass the crystal through the smoke with the intention of clearing the crystal. Visualize the smoke purifying and cleansing the crystal. Repeat this process until you feel the crystal is cleansed.
We recommend high quality incense
Cleansing crystals with incense is a simple and easy way to cleanse them of any negative or residual energy.
4. How to Cleanse Crystals With the Fire Element

The Element of Fire is the fourth great purifier. Light a candle, preferably a natural candle made of beeswax. Hold the crystal in your hand and pass through the candle flame several times with the intention that the fire purifies the crystal of all negative energies and transmutes those energies into positive vibrations.
We recommend beeswax candles
5. How to Cleanse Crystals with Celestial Energies
The Moon

Leave your crystals outside or near a window directly exposed to the moonlight on the night of the full moon to purify, cleanse and charge your crystal.
You can also do that on the night of a new moon, depending on your purpose.
The Sun

Leave your crystals in the sun to purify and charge.
6. How to Cleanse Crystals with Other Crystals

You can place your crystal on a large cluster of other crystals and leave it for 24 hours to be cleansed.
You can also use Selenite to cleanse your crystals. Place your crystals on a Selenite charging plate or Selenite tower to be purified and cleansed.
We recommend Selenite charging plate
7. How to Cleanse Crystals with Intention

You can cleanse your crystal with the power of intention and visualization. Visualize a brilliant white light emanating from your third eye and surrounding your crystal, see the light cleansing yourr crystal of any negative influences and transmuting those negative energies into positive energies.
You can also surround your crystal with golden light with the intention of transmuting any negative energy into positive light energy.
To learn more about setting intentions with crystals, checkout our complete guide on how to set intentions.
When should you cleanse your crystals
A crystal should be cleansed immediately after acquiring it. This is to cleanse your crystal of any energies they might have picked up along the way.
How often do I need to cleanse my crystals
You may want to cleanse them regularly – say once a month or at least once every three months, to keep them in fresh condition.
How to choose the right crystal for you
Use your intuition
Close your eyes and ask for intuitive guidance with the intention of finding the right crystal for you, and then open your eyes then pick the first crystal you feel drawn to. This method also works when shopping for crystals online. Distance is no object to intuition. Just pick the crystal or stone that you feel being drawn to. To help you choose the right crystal, read my guide on how to choose the best crystal for your needs.
Choose the right stone for the right chakra
If you are experiencing an imbalance in one of your chakras, you can choose a stone that will help clear and balance that chakra.
Read our guides on chakra stones, and how to find the right stone or crystal for each of the 7 Chakras.
Choose the right crystal for manifesting what you want
Pick the right crystal based on your intention. For example, If you want to manifest more money, you can pick a crystal that will serve you in manifesting abundance and prosperity.
Read our guide on exploring the best crystals for manifesting.
Where to Buy Crystals
If you’re seeking to enhance your life with the energy of crystals, we highly recommend checking out our comprehensive guide to buying real crystals on Amazon. However, if you’re looking for alternative online crystal shops, we’ve got you covered too! Check out this post to discover the top online shops for crystals, where you can find an array of stunning and authentic crystals to add to your collection, or give as gifts for your crystal loving friends.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it folks, a comprehensive guide on how to cleanse your crystals. Remember, cleansing your crystals regularly is essential to keep them charged and ready to work their magic in your life. Whether you prefer to do it under the full moon, bury them in the earth, smudge with sage or any other method, choose the one that resonates with you and your crystals the most.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and see what works best for you. And, just like with anything else, trust your intuition. If you feel like your crystals need a little extra TLC, then give them the love and attention they deserve. They’ll thank you for it!
And, as always, don’t forget to show gratitude to your crystals for all the good they bring into your life. For more information on how to use your newly cleansed crystals, check out our guide to Crystal Grids for Beginners.
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Amber, a certified crystal healer and spiritual teacher, shares her decade-long expertise on CrystalsAlchemy.com. Passionate about the transformative power of crystals, she helps others lead balanced lives through personal growth, spiritual development, and holistic well-being.
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