How to Clean Quartz Crystals at Home

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Plus, how to cleanse your quartz of negative energy
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Collecting quartz crystals can be a fun hobby for any gem enthusiast. However, if you got the crystals straight from the ground, they may still be covered in clay, dirt, iron, and other minerals that stain their beauty. Quartz can also get coated with lotion and oils from your hands if you touch them frequently. No matter how your quartz got grimy, we're here to teach you how to clean it and which safety precautions to take, with expert advice from master gemologist appraiser, Kennon Young. We'll also explain how to cleanse quartz of negative energy using techniques shared by spiritual advisor and founder of Rainbow Raaja, Emily Christensen.

How to Clean Quartz Rocks: Quick Tips

Clean lotion and oils off quartz with a soft toothbrush, water, and dish soap. Scrub clay and dirt off with a bristle brush. Spray away dirt stains with a water pick or an air can. Soak the quartz in a weak oxalic acid solution to remove iron stains. Slow cook it in oxalic acid & water to clean tough iron deposits.

Section 1 of 3:

How to Clean Quartz

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  1. If you have quartz in your home that's looking a little cloudy or oily from handling, Young suggests using household items like a soft toothbrush , water, and dish soap to clean it. [1] Wet the quartz crystal with water from the faucet or a bowl and add a drop of dish soap to the toothbrush. Gently scrub the crystal's surface with the toothbrush, then rinse it clean. Dry it off with a paper towel or a soft towel before putting it back on display.
  2. 2
    Scrub off clay and dirt with a tough bristle brush and dish soap. If your quartz crystal has clay or dirt caked on it, you'll need something sturdier than a toothbrush to tackle it. Use a bristle brush with thick hair. Young says, "horsehair and other animal hairs are a little bit more tough" than a toothbrush. [2] Soak the quartz in soapy water for 24 hours to loosen the clay and dirt, then scrub the quartz all over. Rinse away any leftover soap and residue, then let the crystal air dry completely. [3]
    • Don't worry about scratching the crystal, as quartz is extremely durable.
    • If your quartz crystals are covered by a thick layer of clay, put them outside in indirect sunlight for several hours to let the clay dry and crack. Once the clay is sufficiently dry, simply brush off the remnants before cleaning it with soap and water. [4]
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  3. Most stains can be removed with a dental water pick. Simply shoot the spray from the water pick at the quartz crystal and watch the stains disappear. Use an air duster can to remove sediment from tiny cracks in the crystal's surface. [5]
  4. If your quartz crystals have only a small outer layer of iron, soak them in a solution of oxalic acid and water overnight. Put the quartz crystals in a plastic bucket with 2 tbsp (30 g) of powdered oxalic acid and 1 ⁄ 2  US gal (1.9 L) of water. Cover the bucket with a lid and check the crystals every 10-30 minutes. When you don't see the stains anymore, rinse it clean under a faucet or a hose to remove the gray film left by the oxalic acid. Then let the crystal dry. [6]
    • Always start with a weak solution of oxalic acid and water. If it starts to turn dark emerald green with iron, but the quartz still isn't clean, add a small amount of oxalic acid and water to the solution to refresh it. [7]
    • Neutralize the oxalic acid and water mixture before you dispose of it. Learn how to complete this step properly and safely under Quartz Cleaning Safety Precautions below .
  5. 5
    Remove large, stubborn iron deposits with oxalic acid in a slow cooker. Place the quartz crystals in a standard 7 qt (6.62 L) slow cooker outdoors, away from children and pets. Fill the cooker with cold water and 2 oz (57 g) of oxalic acid. Cover it with a lid and turn it on Low. Check the crystals every 2-3 days and add warm water to it as needed to ensure the crystals stay submerged. Repeat this procedure for 7 days total, then turn the crockpot off and let it cool completely overnight before removing the crystals. Rinse them off completely to get rid of the oxalic acid film. [8]
    • Avoid removing the quartz from the slow cooker while they're still hot. They might shatter from the shock of the temperature change!
    • As the quartz dries, you may notice a white powder forming. This is the remnants of the oxalic acid. If this happens, clean the slow cooker and put the crystals back in it. Fill the pot with water, mix in a 1/3 cup (65 g) of baking soda, and let it cook on Low overnight. Repeat this process until you don't see any more white powder.
  6. 6
    Loosen calcite from the quartz by soaking it in vinegar. Calcite is a mineral made mostly out of calcium carbonate. It forms on or in other rocks and crystals (such as quartz) when water containing calcium and carbon dioxide drips onto it over the course of many years. Calcite looks suspiciously like clear quartz, but it's much weaker. [9] To determine if your crystal has calcite, test it by dropping a few drops of vinegar on it. If the vinegar bubbles, the quartz has calcite in it. If you want your quartz to be pure and free of calcite, here's how to remove it: [10]
    • Soak the quartz crystals in distilled white vinegar for 2-3 days.
    • Remove the quartz from the vinegar bath and scrub the loose calcite away with a wire brush.
    • Rinse the quartz with water and let it dry.
  7. If your quartz crystals are covered in algae deposits or other minerals, you can try cleaning them with the same bleach you use to clean your white clothes. Take your quartz crystals outside and soak them in a bowl filled with bleach for a couple of days. Then remove them, rinse them off, and let them sit out to dry until you can no longer smell bleach on them. [11]
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Section 2 of 3:

Quartz Cleaning Safety Precautions

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  1. Whenever you're cleaning quartz crystals with oxalic acid, do it outside or in an area that's highly ventilated area. These fumes can be very harmful to you if you inhale them. Acidic fumes can be poisonous to animals and humans. [12]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Quartz Crystals
    In addition to being harmful if inhaled, acid can burn you if it comes into direct contact with your skin. Be sure to wear rubber gloves when handling oxalic acid and cleaning quartz crystals. [13]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Clean Quartz Crystals
    Since oxalic acid waste is considered a hazardous material, neutralize it first before you can dispose of it. At the end of the cleaning process, the oxalic acid will be in a liquid form. Add garden lime (CaO) to the liquid until there is no longer any visible reaction. That's when you know it's neutralized and has formed into calcium oxalate, which isn't harmful. Then dump the mixture onto the ground. [14]
    • Wash away the remnants of the calcium oxalate with a hose.
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Section 3 of 3:

How to Cleanse Quartz of Negative Energy

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  1. Cleanse your quartz of negative energy and refill it with a positive force. Some people believe that crystals like quartz hold spiritual energy. Crystals can also absorb negative energy, so they need regular cleansing to make room for more positive vibes. Here are some techniques Christensen recommends for cleansing your crystals , so they're pure inside and out: [15]
    • Hold the quartz under running water.
    • Set the quartz in a sunny windowsill.
    • Burn incense and fan the smoke over the quartz with the intention of cleansing it.
    • Set your quartz crystals in a small bowl or pan filled with Himalayan or some other coarse salt.
    • Make a circle of salt outside on the ground in the moonlight and place the quartz in the middle of the circle.

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What do you use to clean quartz crystals?
    Edward Lewand
    Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser
    Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry.
    Edward Lewand
    Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser
    Expert Answer
    I'd recommend a dash of mild dish soap and a soft rag. You don't need to use a lot of abrasive cleaners to clean quartz.
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  • Question
    Can I use toothpaste to clean quartz?
    Edward Lewand
    Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser
    Edward Lewand is a Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser with over 36 years of experience in the jewelry industry. He completed his residency in graduate gemology at the G.I.A. in 1979, New York and now specializes in Fine, Antique and Estate Jewelry, consultations and expert witness work. He is a Certified Appraiser of the Appraiser Association of America (AAA) and an Accredited Senior Appraiser (ASA) of the American Society of Appraisers In Gems and Jewelry.
    Edward Lewand
    Graduate Gemologist & Accredited Appraiser
    Expert Answer
    I wouldn't recommend it. You don't need to use anything that strong on jewelry in general. You can use a toothbrush, for sure. I wouldn't use the toothpaste, though.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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      References

      1. ↑ Kennon Young. Master Gemologist Appraiser. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
      2. ↑ Kennon Young. Master Gemologist Appraiser. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
      3. ↑ https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/articles/basic-rock-and-mineral-cleaning-home
      4. ↑ https://www.memphisgeology.com/g_cleaning.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/articles/basic-rock-and-mineral-cleaning-home
      6. ↑ https://www.gamineral.org/writings/cleanquartz-carter.html
      7. ↑ https://www.memphisgeology.com/g_cleaning.htm
      8. ↑ https://www.memphisgeology.com/g_cleaning.htm
      9. ↑ https://commonminerals.esci.umn.edu/minerals-f/calcite-and-aragonite
      1. ↑ https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/articles/basic-rock-and-mineral-cleaning-home
      2. ↑ https://www.gamineral.org/writings/cleanquartz-carter.html
      3. ↑ https://www.memphisgeology.com/g_cleaning.htm
      4. ↑ https://www.memphisgeology.com/g_cleaning.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.memphisgeology.com/g_cleaning.htm
      6. ↑ Emily Christensen. Spiritual Advisor & Founder of Rainbow Raaja. Expert Interview. 8 July 2020.

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean a minor tarnish or stain off your quartz crystal, use an old toothbrush dipped in water. When you’re done removing the stains, dry the crystal in indirect sunlight. If you need to remove iron stains from your crystal, use a high-pressure water gun. Alternatively, soak your crystal in a weak solution of oxalic acid overnight, then rinse it with water the next day. For algae deposits, soak your crystal in a bowl filled with water-diluted bleach for several days. To learn how to stay safe when cleaning your crystal, keep reading!

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