Crystals are believed to absorb energy from their surroundings — which is exactly why they need to be cleansed regularly, much like you’d wash a mug before reusing it. If your crystals feel “flat,” heavy, or less vibrant than when you first got them, a cleanse (followed by a recharge) is usually the fix.
Signs Your Crystals Need Cleansing
You’ve used the stone heavily for meditation or an emotional situation, it’s been handled by many different people, it’s newly purchased and you don’t know its history, or it simply doesn’t feel the way it used to. When in doubt, cleanse — it’s nearly impossible to overdo.
6 Popular Ways to Cleanse Your Crystals
- Moonlight — set stones outside or on a windowsill overnight, especially under a full moon.
- Sound — ring a singing bowl or bell near your stones to clear stagnant energy.
- Smoke — pass crystals through the smoke of sage, palo santo, or your favorite cleansing herb.
- Selenite — rest stones on or near a selenite charging plate; selenite is self-cleansing and never needs a reset.
- Salt — bury stones in dry sea salt (skip this for soft or water-soluble stones like selenite or malachite).
- Earth burial — bury a stone in soil for 24 hours to let it reset fully, then rinse off any dirt.
How to Charge Your Crystals After Cleansing
Cleansing clears old energy; charging reinfuses the stone with fresh energy and intention. The simplest method is moonlight — particularly the night of a full moon, when lunar energy is considered strongest. You can also charge a stone by holding it during meditation and setting a clear intention, or by placing it on a cluster of clear quartz or amethyst overnight.
A Simple Full Moon Ritual You Can Do Tonight
Gather the crystals you want to reset. Find a windowsill, balcony, or outdoor spot where they’ll catch moonlight overnight. Hold each stone for a moment, take a breath, and set an intention for what you want it to support going forward. Leave the stones out overnight, and bring them in by morning — they’ll be cleansed, charged, and ready to work with again.
Shop Cleansing Tools
We carry sage, palo santo, selenite charging plates, and singing bowls in-store — everything you need to build a simple cleansing ritual. Check our Events page for upcoming full moon circles and workshops if you’d rather cleanse in community.