How to Cleanse Crystals | Crystal Care Guide Australia

Once you start building your crystal collection, you’ll quickly realise they’re more than just beautiful objects, they become energetic companions, little anchors of intention, and pieces that often hold deep personal meaning. Like anything we value, they deserve a little care and attention from time to time.

Caring for your crystals doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the process of cleansing and recharging your pieces can become a beautiful ritual in itself, a way to slow down, reconnect, and reset.

Here are a few gentle and effective ways to care for and cleanse your crystals:

Keep Them Out of Harsh Sunlight

While some crystals love the sun, many (especially coloured ones like amethyst, fluorite, or rose quartz) can fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight. To preserve their natural beauty, it's best to keep most crystals in shaded areas or indirect light. If you do want to place crystals in sunlight for a quick energy boost, keep it brief and choose sun-safe types like clear quartz or citrine.

Selenite — The Crystal Cleanser

Selenite is one of our favourite tools for cleansing other crystals. It doesn’t need to be cleansed itself and carries a pure, high-frequency energy that helps recharge your other pieces. A few easy ways to use selenite:

Selenite plates or bowls: Place your crystals on them for a few hours or overnight to clear and reset their energy.
Selenite towers or slabs: Store your crystals nearby or on top of them.
Selenite bracelet holders or charging rods: These are perfect for recharging your crystal jewellery, just drape your bracelets or necklaces over them when not in use.

Smoke Cleansing – The all rounder

Using the smoke of herbs or incense (like palo santo, sage, or lavender) is a traditional and widely used method to clear stagnant energy. Simply pass your crystal through the smoke for 30 seconds to a minute, with intention. This can be a great option for all crystal types, especially when you want a quick energetic refresh.

Sand, Salt & Earth Energy

Crystals come from the earth, so it makes sense that some of the most powerful cleansing methods involve returning them to it. If you’re working with harder crystals (Mohs hardness of 6.5–7 or above), you can:

Bury them in dry sea salt or natural sand for several hours or overnight.
Use a small bowl of soil (from your garden or even a potted plant) to reconnect the crystal with grounding energy.

Be sure to avoid this method with softer or porous crystals like selenite, malachite, or pyrite, as salt or sand can damage their surface.

Water — But With Caution

Water can be a beautiful way to rinse and refresh your crystals if they're safe for it. Crystals with a Mohs hardness of 7 or above, like polished pieces of quartz, agate, and amethyst, are generally fine for a gentle water rinse. However, avoid water for softer crystals (especially anything ending in “-ite” like calcite, selenite, and fluorite) as they can dissolve, crack or lose their shine.

If in doubt, skip the water and stick to dry cleansing methods.

Sound or Vibration

Sound is another gentle way to clear crystal energy. You can use singing bowls, tuning forks, or even calming music played at a high vibrational frequency. The idea is that the vibration helps to shift and release any energy the crystal may have absorbed.

How Often Should You Cleanse Your Crystals?

There’s no strict rule, it really depends on how often you use them, where they live, and how they feel to you. As a general guide:

Crystals used daily (like those worn as jewellery or kept in your pocket) may benefit from a light cleanse once a week.
Display crystals in calm areas of your home might only need cleansing once a month or so.
Crystals used for energy work, meditation, or healing can be cleansed after each use.

Most importantly, listen to your intuition. If a crystal feels a bit heavy, dull, or energetically “off,” it’s probably time for a refresh.

A Few Extra Tips:

Trust your intuition, if a crystal feels dull, heavy, or less vibrant, it might be time for a cleanse.
Set intentions while cleansing, your energy matters just as much as the method.
Cleanse new crystals after receiving them to clear any lingering energy from transit or handling.
Store them mindfully, a dedicated dish, shelf, or pouch helps keep them protected and energetically clear.

Caring for your crystals isn’t just about keeping them physically clean, it’s about maintaining a clear and intentional energy space for both you and your pieces. Make it your own and enjoy the quiet moments that crystal care invites into your day.

Have questions about cleansing or need help identifying which method is best for your crystal? Feel free to reach out or join us live, we’re always happy to guide you.

Stay connected, stay grounded,

Hayley
Founder of Hail Crystals