By Juna Xu Entertainment 22.01.2026

Your Complete Guide to Charging Crystals for Good Energy and Healing in 2026

Are your crystals working? Here's how to ensure they're radiating good energy your way.

While once considered a very “alternative” practice, crystals and crystal healing are now loved by many as a way to increase positive flow, enhance energy, and promote manifestation in everyday life.

You can spot crystals all over the place: on your Instagram feed, the desktop of your colleagues, and neatly placed on the bedside tables or in the living rooms of your friends and family. However, there’s much more to it than picking your favourite coloured crystal, placing it somewhere and forgetting about it, hoping it’ll continue radiating good energy your way.

Crystals work through a continual interactive relationship, so by showing attention and gratitude, your energy can collaborate with the stone, which will then renew and send good vibes your way. In short, it’s a two-way street. So, if a person ignores this interaction, there will be no energy for the crystal to work with.

But if you’ve been consciously interacting with your stone and have realised it has stopped working, this is probably because it’s clogged and needs to be charged.

Here, Bed Threads Journal sat down with the founder of Australia’s premium crystal wellness brand CAWLIFE, Penny Tsiklas, to find out everything you need to know about charging your crystals for continuous good energy.

How often should you charge your crystals?

Just like a blocked drain, your crystal may become energetically clogged and have no space to work with your energies. Tsiklas recommends cleansing your crystals at least once a month to prevent this from happening. “This will remove any stagnant or stale energy the crystal may have taken on.” If possible, you should aim to do it during the month’s full moon or a new moon, to maximise the effectiveness of the charge.

But there are also situations where your crystal will need to be cleansed immediately. “If someone touches a crystal that you’re wearing - for example, your beautiful rose quartz bracelet or pendant - then I recommend cleansing it immediately,” Tsiklas warns. “Crystals take on energy from touch, so it's important to protect your gems.”

How do you charge crystals?

There are four main ways you can charge your crystals, according to Tsiklas. These include:

1. Running water

"Water is said to neutralise any negative energy stored inside the stone and return it back to the earth. Running your crystal under the tap for 10 seconds or so is a quick, easy and effective way to clean your crystals."

2. Salt water

"Sea salt or salted water is a wonderful way to rid your stone of any unwanted energy. You can make your own salt water by putting a tablespoon of rock or table salt in a bowl of water. Make sure to completely submerge your stone in the water and allow it to soak overnight. Be sure to run it under cold water once finished and pat dry."

3. Moonlight

"This is the easiest method of cleansing and safe for all crystals. On the night of the full moon, simply place your crystals outside (on grass if possible) and wait for the moon's energy to naturally cleanse. If you don't have a backyard, a window with natural light will work just fine."

4. Smudging

"Similar to water, smudging is a quick, easy and effective way to rid negative energy in an instant. Use something like sage and hold it around the crystal for 10 seconds or so, encouraging the smoke to spill all over the crystal."

How do you pick the best method for charging crystals?

In terms of choosing which method is the best, Tsiklas says to just pick the one that works for you. “For example, if you live by the beach then you can cleanse with salt water, if you live in an apartment then simply place them outside your window, and if you have a backyard place them on the grass.”

“If you can't wait for a new moon or full moon, you could always use sage smudging sticks or place your crystals on a slab of Selenite.” (FYI, selenite is believed to have been used by the Ancient Greeks to amplify the light from the moon.)

Which crystals can’t be cleansed in water?

Tsiklas recommends doing research before placing any crystals in water. “Note that crystals like Selenite, Fluorite, Lepidolite and Apophyllite cannot be cleansed in water.”

Where should you store your crystals once they’re charged?

“Once your crystals are charged, they are ready to be loved and used to set daily intentions and manifestations.”

What are the best crystals for manifestation?

“Each crystal has its own healing power for the mind, body and soul, so depending on what you wish to manifest, or what trait you are wishing to attract, you will need to choose the crystal that can help you,” Tsiklas says.

“If you wish to manifest abundance in terms of finance and prosperity then Aventurine is an incredible crystal to use (it’s true, green equals money). If you would like to repel negativity as well as open up new opportunities, Obsidian is a powerful crystal that identifies negative patterns and shifts them into positive ones to allow you to move forward.”

Once you know exactly what you want to manifest, you’ll be able to find the right crystal to help you achieve just that.

What are the best crystals for healing?

Although there are many crystals that can help with healing, Tsiklas says there are three powerful ones:

1. Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is connected to the heart chakra and is known as the "love stone". It can help you find love. However, it can also help you heal past hurts. It's also a crystal that makes the perfect gift for a new mum as it assists with patience, acceptance and unconditional love.

2. Amethyst

Amethyst is connected to the crown chakra and assists with any mental blockages. It helps during times of depression, isolation or emotionally challenging times.

3. Clear Quartz

Clear Quartz is known as the master healer because it’s tuned to the entire chakra system, so you can use it to heal any of the seven chakras.