How to Cleanse: Purifying Your Space, Spirit, and Stuff with Style

You know that feeling when you walk into a room and it just feels… off? Maybe it’s the air that feels heavy, or perhaps your favorite crystal has lost its sparkle. Whatever the case, it’s a sure sign that you need to cleanse. But cleansing isn’t just about waving around some incense and hoping for the best—it’s a practice as old as time, meant to clear away negative energy and restore balance. Whether you’re cleansing your home, your aura, or even that mysterious hand-me-down from Aunt Gertrude, there’s a method for every vibe.

Why Cleanse? The Lowdown on Energetic Gunk

Before we dive into the how-tos, let’s chat about the why. Energy is all around us—kind of like Wi-Fi, but without the annoying buffering. Every interaction, emotion, and object carries energy, and not all of it is rainbows and butterflies. Sometimes, spaces or objects absorb negative vibes, leading to a sense of unease, fatigue, or just plain funkiness. Regular cleansing helps to:

Remove Stagnant Energy: Like that stale bag of chips at the back of your pantry, stagnant energy just sits there, taking up space and offering nothing of value.
Clear Negative Influences: Whether it’s from a bad breakup or a stressful work meeting, negative energy can cling to you and your surroundings like glitter after a craft project—annoying and hard to get rid of.
Promote Positivity and Well-Being: A good cleanse can leave you feeling lighter, brighter, and ready to tackle life with a smile.

Tools of the Trade: What You Can Use to Cleanse

Now that we’ve covered the why, let’s get into the fun part: the what. There’s a smorgasbord of tools and methods available for cleansing, each with its own unique flair. Here’s a rundown of some popular options:

1. Salt: Not Just for Seasoning

Salt is a powerhouse when it comes to cleansing, known for its ability to absorb negative energy and create protective barriers.

How to Use Salt:

Sprinkle It Around: Sprinkle salt in the corners of a room, around doorways, or across thresholds to keep negative energy at bay.
Create a Salt Bowl: Place a bowl of salt in a room to absorb bad vibes. Just remember to replace it every month or so—no one likes a salty vibe gone stale.
Salt Bath: Dissolve some salt in your bathwater to cleanse your aura and wash away stress. Bonus points if you add some essential oils for that spa-like experience.

2. Crystals: Sparkly and Supercharged

Crystals aren’t just pretty to look at—they’re also excellent tools for cleansing and protection. Different crystals have different properties, so you can choose one based on your needs.

Popular Crystals for Cleansing:

Selenite: This self-cleansing crystal is like the vacuum cleaner of the spiritual world—place it in your space, and it will suck up all the negativity.
Clear Quartz: Known as the “master healer,” clear quartz amplifies positive energy and can cleanse other crystals. It’s like a mood booster and vacuum cleaner in one.
Black Tourmaline: This grounding stone is perfect for absorbing negative energy and keeping you protected from psychic attacks (and bad vibes in general).

How to Use Crystals:

Place Them Around: Put crystals in key areas of your home, on your desk, or even in your car to keep the energy clear.
Carry Them: Keep a small crystal in your pocket or wear it as jewelry to maintain a personal energy shield.
Create a Crystal Grid: Arrange your crystals in a geometric pattern to amplify their cleansing powers. It’s like feng shui, but with extra sparkle.

Cleanse your crystals regularly by placing them under the moonlight, burying them in the earth, or using a selenite wand to sweep away any lingering gunk.

3. Sound: Music to Your (Spiritual) Ears

Sound has been used for centuries to cleanse spaces and elevate energy. From singing bowls to clapping, sound vibrations can break up stagnant energy and restore harmony.

Ways to Use Sound:

Singing Bowls: Tibetan or crystal singing bowls produce a deep, resonant tone that can cleanse and elevate the energy of a space. Plus, they make you feel like you’re in a spa.
Bells and Chimes: Ring a bell or chime in each corner of a room to disperse negative energy and invite positive vibes.
Clapping: In a pinch? Use your hands! Clap around the space, especially in corners and doorways, to break up any energetic funk.

If your neighbors give you weird looks for ringing bells or clapping like you’re applauding the walls, just tell them you’re performing a one-person concert for your space. They might think you’re eccentric, but your home will feel fabulous.

4. Herbal Cleansing: Not Just for Tea Time

Herbs aren’t just for cooking or tea—they’re also powerful allies in the cleansing process. Different herbs have different cleansing properties, so you can create your own herbal mix or use them individually.

Popular Herbs for Cleansing:

Lavender: Calming and purifying, lavender is perfect for cleansing and bringing a sense of peace to a space.
Rosemary: A protective herb, rosemary is great for warding off negative energy and keeping your space clear.
Bay Leaves: Write your intentions on a bay leaf and burn it to cleanse and manifest positive energy.

How to Use Herbs:

Burn Them: Similar to smudging, burn dried herbs and waft the smoke around the area you want to cleanse.
Make a Spray: Create a cleansing spray by infusing water with herbs and essential oils. Spritz it around your space for a quick refresh.
Create Sachets: Place dried herbs in a small sachet and tuck it under your pillow, in your drawers, or in your car to keep the energy clear and positive.

If you’re not into burning things or making a mess with loose herbs, try using essential oils instead. They’re concentrated and just as effective for cleansing when diffused or added to a spray bottle.

How to Cleanse Different Things: A Practical Guide

Now that you’ve got your tools, it’s time to put them to work. Here’s a guide on how to cleanse different areas of your life:

1. Your Home: No More Funky Energy

Your home is your sanctuary, but it can also be a magnet for all sorts of energies, especially if you have guests over, deal with stress, or just live your everyday life.

Steps to Cleanse Your Home:

Set an Intention: Before you start, set a clear intention for what you want to achieve with your cleanse—peace, protection, positivity, etc.
Start at the Entrance: Begin at the main entrance of your home. This is where energy enters, so it’s a crucial spot.
Work Clockwise: Move through each room in a clockwise direction, using your chosen cleansing tool (smudge stick, sound, etc.). Pay special attention to corners, mirrors, and doorways.
Don’t Forget the Nooks and Crannies: Basements, attics, closets—anywhere energy can get stuck. Make sure to cleanse those spaces too.
Finish with a Blessing: After cleansing, say a blessing or affirmation to seal in the positive energy and set the tone for your space.

Keep windows open during your cleanse to let the negative energy out and fresh air in. Plus, it’ll keep your smoke detector from going off if you’re smoking!

2. Your Aura: Personal Space, Cleared

Your aura is like your personal energy bubble, and just like your home, it can pick up some unwanted vibes. Regular cleansing helps you stay balanced and aligned.

Ways to Cleanse Your Aura:

Smudging: Light a smudge stick and wave it around your body from head to toe. Focus on areas where you feel heavy or blocked.
Salt Bath: Soak in a salt bath to cleanse your aura and draw out negativity. Add some lavender or rose petals for extra relaxation.
Sound Bath: Use a singing bowl or chime to create vibrations that clear your energy field. You can also find sound bath recordings online if you’re not into DIY.

Pro Tip: Cleanse your aura whenever you feel drained, after being around negative people, or just when you need a pick-me-up. It’s like a quick energy shower.

3. Your Stuff: Cleanse Like Marie Kondo (but Witchier)

Objects can hold onto energy, especially if they’ve been through a lot (like that antique mirror you picked up at the thrift store). Cleansing your belongings helps to reset their energy and make them truly yours.

Steps to Cleanse Objects:

Identify the Object: Decide what you want to cleanse—jewelry, furniture, crystals, that creepy doll in the attic…
Choose Your Method: Smudging, sound, salt—you can use any of the tools we’ve discussed. Just make sure it’s appropriate for the object (e.g., don’t put your electronics in a salt bath).
Set an Intention: Hold the object and set an intention for cleansing it. Imagine any negative energy being released and replaced with positivity.
Cleanse It: Use your chosen method to cleanse the object, visualizing the energy clearing away.

For particularly stubborn objects, try multiple cleansing methods. Smoke Cleanse it, ring a bell, and give it a salt bath if needed. Overkill? Maybe. Effective? Definitely.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Light, Keep It Clear

Cleansing isn’t just about removing negative energy—it’s about creating a space that feels good, whether that’s in your home, your aura, or your favorite things. With the right tools and a little humor, you can make cleansing a regular part of your routine and keep your life feeling fresh and fabulous.

And remember: Cleansing is a practice, not a one-time fix. Just like you wouldn’t only clean your house once a year (we hope), regular cleansing keeps your energy in tip-top shape. So grab your sage, ring those bells, and cleanse away!