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How to Cleanse and Charge Crystals Download Article Refresh and reprogram your crystals with our full guide Co-authored by Emily Christensen and Kira Jan
Last Updated: September 12, 2025 References
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Programming Your Crystals
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This article was co-authored by Emily Christensen and by wikiHow staff writer, Kira Jan. Emily Christensen is an award-winning Holistic Medicine Practitioner, Shamanic Spiritual Advisor, Reiki Master, and Founder of Rainbow Raaja and the internationally acclaimed "Rainbows Rising" Podcast based out of Southern California and Pierce County, Washington. Emily has over ten years of experience as a Massage Therapist and Shaman using life coaching, tarot cards, crystal therapy, light work (reiki, light codes, energy therapy), sound healing and shamanic healing. She received her Reiki Master training from the Hands on Healing Institute. Emily is also a certified Bodywork Therapist by the California Massage Therapy Council and an Ordained Shamanic Minister with the Universal Life Church. She specializes in one on one virtual sessions focused on personal transformation, spiritual ascension and self empowerment. There are 23 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 98,242 times.
People use crystals to find mental and spiritual peace, and many believe spiritual energy within crystals can help with physical healing. Just like you might feel drained from time to time, crystals need to recharge and replenish their energy, too. Cleansing crystals washes away negativity, and charging them refills the force that makes these stones so grounding and powerful. Programming crystals allows you to align your energy with theirs so they can help you work towards your visions and goals. There’s an abundance of cleansing and charging methods out there, so we’ve created a comprehensive guide for you. As you read on, understand there’s no “wrong” or “best” way to charge your crystals, so choose the methods that resonate with your heart, energy, and intentions today.This article is based on an interview with our spiritual advisor and reiki master, Emily Christensen, founder of Rainbow Raaja. Check out the full interview here.
Ways to Cleanse Your Crystals
Hold your crystals under running water.
Soak your crystals in a salt water bath for 1 hour.
Bury the crystals underground overnight.
Burn sage or Palo Santo around your crystals.
Place your crystals in a bowl of salt.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Cleansing Your Crystals
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1 Use running water to refresh your crystals. Just like we shower or bathe to wash off negative energy, washing crystals allows negativity to flow into the water and run down the drain. Hold your crystals under any kind of running water (even your sink tap) for about a minute.[1]XResearch source [2]X Expert Source Emily ChristensenSpiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow RaajaExpert Interview
2 Submerge your crystals in salt water for healing. This method promotes cleansing the same way that salt water promotes cleansing for cuts.[3]XResearch source Use Himalayan salt or Celtic salt, and soak your crystals for a few minutes to an hour.
This method also combines the elemental forces of water and earth, since salt is considered a pure form of earth.
Don’t do this with blue/black kyanite, or selenite since they’ll dissolve in water. Similarly, hematite will rust in water.[4]XResearch source
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3 Place your crystals on snow to promote meditation and reflection. When fresh snow falls over the earth, it creates a beautiful blank canvas for nature. Cleaning your crystals with snow allows them to reset and find stillness. If you’re fortunate enough to have access to snow, gather some pure snow into a bowl. Set your crystals on top of the snow and let them soak in until you sense their energy has been refreshed.
Only use crystals that will not dissolve or rust in water. Don’t use black/blue kyanite, selenite, or hematite.
4 Cover your crystals with earth for stability. Earth is an element of beauty, steady change, and growth. When you’re feeling a little anxious or need to reconnect with your body, let your crystals rest in the soil. Bury them outside in the dirt and leave them overnight.[5]XResearch source
Crystals that resonate with earth energy include red jasper, mookaite jasper, and black tourmaline.[6]XResearch source
Don’t bury blue/black kyanite or selenite because those crystals may dissolve from the moisture in the ground.
5 Submerge your crystals in a bowl of dry salt for earth energy. This is a great earth energy alternative for crystals that can’t be submerged in salt water or moist ground. Fill a bowl with Himalayan or Celtic salt. If possible, take the bowl out of your house to leave behind any negative energy. Let the crystals sit for 24 hours.[7]XResearch source [8]X Expert Source Emily ChristensenSpiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow RaajaExpert Interview
Feel free to add herbs like rosemary to the salt bath.[9]X Expert Source Emily ChristensenSpiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow RaajaExpert Interview
You can also small clearing/grounding crystals like hematite.[10]X Expert Source Emily ChristensenSpiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow RaajaExpert Interview
6 Burn sage or Palo Santo for sacred energy. Tap into an ancient purifying tradition with this method. Simply hold each crystal and pass it over the smoke several times until you feel the negative energy lift.[11]XResearch source As you perform the ritual, ask the sacred smoke to clear the crystals of their energy. Likewise, ask the crystals to release the energy they’re holding.[12]XResearch source
Perform this ritual outside or open your windows to prevent your smoke alarm from going off.
7 Purify and charge your crystals simultaneously with sound. Play healing music (you can find crystal cleansing compilations online) or use healing bowls. Healing bowls are special instruments that produce powerful resonant harmonics when played. Set your crystals in an arc around the speaker or healing bowl so they can absorb the vibration as you play the music.[13]XResearch source
8 Lay your crystals on a slab of selenite for clarity and protection. Selenite is a powerful crystal named after the Greek moon goddess Selene. As a result, it has strong connections to lunar cycles and divine femininity.[14]XResearch source Set a selenite log on a flat surface and let your crystals sit on the selenite log overnight.[15]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 2 Method 2 of 3:
Charging Your Crystals
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1 Set your crystals in the moonlight for calm, intuitive energy. Moonlight gives off a soft, feminine energy. Allow your crystals to charge by setting them on a windowsill or leaving them outside overnight.[16]XResearch source
Charging crystals in moonlight is great for reflection and healing.[17]X Expert Source Emily ChristensenSpiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow RaajaExpert Interview
2 Place the crystals in the sunlight for active energy. The sun represents invigorating, masculine energy. Simply set your crystals by a sunny window or outside where they’ll be exposed to the vibrant rays.[18]XResearch source [19]X Expert Source Emily ChristensenSpiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow RaajaExpert Interview
For balanced yin-yang energy, place the crystals outside for 24 hours to experience both sun and moon forces.
Do not charge rose quartz and amethyst in the sun. The sun can fade their color.[20]XResearch source
3 Set your crystals outside during an eclipse for power. Allowing your crystals to soak up the energy of an eclipse (or another astrological event) is an incredibly strong way to charge them. This method will magnify their energies.[21]XResearch source
4 Make a charging circle to connect multiple energies. Point cleansed rock crystals (not tumbled crystals) towards one specific crystal you’d like to charge. You can leave the crystal charging for as long as you’d like, but let it connect to the other crystals’ energy for at least 30 minutes.[22]XResearch source
5 Rub the crystals in your hands to charge them quickly. Using your body heat to charge your crystals is a direct, easy way to activate their energy. Plus, you get to build and deepen your physical connection to the crystal.[23]XResearch source
6 Charge your crystals with reiki for inner peace. Find a deep meditative state by closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing.[24]X Expert Source Emily ChristensenSpiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow RaajaExpert Interview Picture a bright white light flowing into all the chakra points of your body. Point your palms towards the crystal and direct that energy towards the stone.[25]XResearch source
Advertisement Method 3 Method 3 of 3:
Programming Your Crystals
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1 Hold one crystal in your non-dominant hand. Putting the crystal into your “receptive” hand will allow you to sense its energy. Keep it in your palm for a few minutes and ask yourself: “Does this make me feel calm or active?” If the crystal’s energy doesn’t match the intention you’d like to set, try another crystal.[26]XResearch source
The non-dominant hand is your receptive “yin” or moon hand.
Don’t rush the process. If you can’t sense the energy, carry the crystal around for a few days.
2 Switch the crystal into your dominant hand. Your dominant hand is your “projective” hand, which sends energy into the crystal. That hand contains active “yang” sun energy.[27]XResearch source
3 Close your eyes and visualize what you want to manifest. Use all five senses to imagine what you want in your life. Activating all five senses allows you to create a vivid new concept of what reality could be.[28]XResearch source
4 Carry the crystal with you. You and your crystal both have an energy field, and you want to let those fields resonate. Wearing the crystal or putting it into your pocket allows you to absorb the vibration of the reality you manifested in the crystal. In turn, the universe will match the vibration you’re putting back out and return it to you.[29]XResearch source
Just remember, the universe won’t make your manifestations a reality on its own. For instance, if you’re hoping to find love, the universe won’t send a significant other to your door. However, if you go out and meet new people with your crystal, you might encounter new opportunities.[30]XResearch source
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Co-authored by: Emily Christensen Crystal Healing Therapist & Founder of Rainbow Raaja This article was co-authored by Emily Christensen and by wikiHow staff writer, Kira Jan. Emily Christensen is an award-winning Holistic Medicine Practitioner, Shamanic Spiritual Advisor, Reiki Master, and Founder of Rainbow Raaja and the internationally acclaimed "Rainbows Rising" Podcast based out of Southern California and Pierce County, Washington. Emily has over ten years of experience as a Massage Therapist and Shaman using life coaching, tarot cards, crystal therapy, light work (reiki, light codes, energy therapy), sound healing and shamanic healing. She received her Reiki Master training from the Hands on Healing Institute. Emily is also a certified Bodywork Therapist by the California Massage Therapy Council and an Ordained Shamanic Minister with the Universal Life Church. She specializes in one on one virtual sessions focused on personal transformation, spiritual ascension and self empowerment. This article has been viewed 98,242 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 9Updated: September 12, 2025 Views: 98,242 Categories: Featured Articles | Alternative Health
Medical Disclaimer
The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.
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Download Article Refresh and reprogram your crystals with our full guide Co-authored by Emily Christensen and Kira Jan 
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Co-authored by: Emily Christensen Crystal Healing Therapist & Founder of Rainbow Raaja This article was co-authored by Emily Christensen and by wikiHow staff writer, Kira Jan. Emily Christensen is an award-winning Holistic Medicine Practitioner, Shamanic Spiritual Advisor, Reiki Master, and Founder of Rainbow Raaja and the internationally acclaimed "Rainbows Rising" Podcast based out of Southern California and Pierce County, Washington. Emily has over ten years of experience as a Massage Therapist and Shaman using life coaching, tarot cards, crystal therapy, light work (reiki, light codes, energy therapy), sound healing and shamanic healing. She received her Reiki Master training from the Hands on Healing Institute. Emily is also a certified Bodywork Therapist by the California Massage Therapy Council and an Ordained Shamanic Minister with the Universal Life Church. She specializes in one on one virtual sessions focused on personal transformation, spiritual ascension and self empowerment. This article has been viewed 98,242 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 9 Updated: September 12, 2025 Views: 98,242 Categories: Featured Articles | Alternative Health 
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1 Use running water to refresh your crystals. Just like we shower or bathe to wash off negative energy, washing crystals allows negativity to flow into the water and run down the drain. Hold your crystals under any kind of running water (even your sink tap) for about a minute.[1] [2] 
2 Submerge your crystals in salt water for healing. This method promotes cleansing the same way that salt water promotes cleansing for cuts.[3] Use Himalayan salt or Celtic salt, and soak your crystals for a few minutes to an hour. 
3 Place your crystals on snow to promote meditation and reflection. When fresh snow falls over the earth, it creates a beautiful blank canvas for nature. Cleaning your crystals with snow allows them to reset and find stillness. If you’re fortunate enough to have access to snow, gather some pure snow into a bowl. Set your crystals on top of the snow and let them soak in until you sense their energy has been refreshed. 
4 Cover your crystals with earth for stability. Earth is an element of beauty, steady change, and growth. When you’re feeling a little anxious or need to reconnect with your body, let your crystals rest in the soil. Bury them outside in the dirt and leave them overnight.[5] 
5 Submerge your crystals in a bowl of dry salt for earth energy. This is a great earth energy alternative for crystals that can’t be submerged in salt water or moist ground. Fill a bowl with Himalayan or Celtic salt. If possible, take the bowl out of your house to leave behind any negative energy. Let the crystals sit for 24 hours.[7] [8] 
6 Burn sage or Palo Santo for sacred energy. Tap into an ancient purifying tradition with this method. Simply hold each crystal and pass it over the smoke several times until you feel the negative energy lift.[11] As you perform the ritual, ask the sacred smoke to clear the crystals of their energy. Likewise, ask the crystals to release the energy they’re holding.[12] 
7 Purify and charge your crystals simultaneously with sound. Play healing music (you can find crystal cleansing compilations online) or use healing bowls. Healing bowls are special instruments that produce powerful resonant harmonics when played. Set your crystals in an arc around the speaker or healing bowl so they can absorb the vibration as you play the music.[13] 
8 Lay your crystals on a slab of selenite for clarity and protection. Selenite is a powerful crystal named after the Greek moon goddess Selene. As a result, it has strong connections to lunar cycles and divine femininity.[14] Set a selenite log on a flat surface and let your crystals sit on the selenite log overnight.[15] Advertisement 
1 Set your crystals in the moonlight for calm, intuitive energy. Moonlight gives off a soft, feminine energy. Allow your crystals to charge by setting them on a windowsill or leaving them outside overnight.[16] 
2 Place the crystals in the sunlight for active energy. The sun represents invigorating, masculine energy. Simply set your crystals by a sunny window or outside where they’ll be exposed to the vibrant rays.[18] [19] 
3 Set your crystals outside during an eclipse for power. Allowing your crystals to soak up the energy of an eclipse (or another astrological event) is an incredibly strong way to charge them. This method will magnify their energies.[21] 
4 Make a charging circle to connect multiple energies. Point cleansed rock crystals (not tumbled crystals) towards one specific crystal you’d like to charge. You can leave the crystal charging for as long as you’d like, but let it connect to the other crystals’ energy for at least 30 minutes.[22] 
5 Rub the crystals in your hands to charge them quickly. Using your body heat to charge your crystals is a direct, easy way to activate their energy. Plus, you get to build and deepen your physical connection to the crystal.[23] 
6 Charge your crystals with reiki for inner peace. Find a deep meditative state by closing your eyes and focusing on your breathing.[24] Picture a bright white light flowing into all the chakra points of your body. Point your palms towards the crystal and direct that energy towards the stone.[25] Advertisement 
1 Hold one crystal in your non-dominant hand. Putting the crystal into your “receptive” hand will allow you to sense its energy. Keep it in your palm for a few minutes and ask yourself: “Does this make me feel calm or active?” If the crystal’s energy doesn’t match the intention you’d like to set, try another crystal.[26] 
2 Switch the crystal into your dominant hand. Your dominant hand is your “projective” hand, which sends energy into the crystal. That hand contains active “yang” sun energy.[27] 
3 Close your eyes and visualize what you want to manifest. Use all five senses to imagine what you want in your life. Activating all five senses allows you to create a vivid new concept of what reality could be.[28] 
4 Carry the crystal with you. You and your crystal both have an energy field, and you want to let those fields resonate. Wearing the crystal or putting it into your pocket allows you to absorb the vibration of the reality you manifested in the crystal. In turn, the universe will match the vibration you’re putting back out and return it to you.[29]