Selenite is an attractive mineral from its name, which translated from Greek means moon to the fact you can’t clean it with water. You might ask yourself, why not use water to clean selenite? Because selenite will dissolve in water! So, what then can you use to clean selenite, and how do you go about it?
Besides knowledge of the properties of selenite, all you will need are the steps outlined below. But then, if you are a mineral-oriented person, this shouldn’t be that hard to figure out, right?
Let’s find out more about it.
Contents
How To Clean Selenite Step-by-Step Guide
Cleaning selenite will need you to follow several easy steps.
What You Will Need
- Acetone
- A piece of cloth
- A Soft Brush
Step 1
Damp the piece of cloth with a bit of amount of acetone. Alternatively, you can use a 70% alcohol solution. Merely make the cloth only itsy-bitsy damp. You don’t want it wet since excess of the solution could be a problem.
Step 2
Use a damp cloth and rub it on the selenite. Do this gently to avoid scrubbing the metal away. Selenite is a pretty soft mineral, and abrasive rubbing might wear it out. So, ensure you rub it as gently as possible.
Step 3
Use the soft brush to rub off any surface dirt. Take special care to ensure the brush is as soft as possible. We recommend using a toothbrush for this step. Again, don’t do this forcefully since you can wear the selenite away. The soft brush will get rid of most of the dirt.
Alternatively, you can use a wedge-shaped piece of bamboo to remove any surface dirt stuck on the selenite.
Step 4
Dry the selenite and store it away.
How Else Can You Clean Selenite?
Sometimes you might clean the selenite but still find that it’s still dirty. If that happens, then you might need to use alternative cleaning approaches. One approach you can take is to polish it. However, before polishing, you need to remember that selenite is quite soft, so the style you use should be abrasion-free.
That means you need to be careful how you polish it. Let’s look at how you can polish selenite.
1. How to Polish Selenite
Polishing selenite isn’t a complicated affair. It is, however, delicate and thus needs you to be as gentle as possible. You can use sandpaper to polish selenite. Gently rub the surface of the mineral with sandpaper to remove any dirt or impurities.
Selenite being the soft crystal it is means you need to be gentle. So, remember to rub it in a mild back-and-forth rhythm. Besides sandpaper, you can also use commercial polishing paste which is aluminum oxide.
2. Cleaning Selenite With Water
Although not advisable, it is possible to clean selenite with water. You only need to ensure the water is warm and don’t soak the selenite in it. If you soak Selenite in water, it will disintegrate, and you will lose your precious mineral stone.
You can clean it quickly under tap water, but afterward, dry it with a dry cloth to ensure no water remains on the crystal’s surface. However, if you are hesitant to clean with water, always use an alcohol solution or acetone.
3. Cleaning With Compressed Air
Using compressed air is another excellent option you can use to get rid of the dust on your selenite wand or stone. For this, you will need a way to blow the air onto the selenite. An air compressor will work just fine here. It is a safer procedure and won’t affect the selenite.
The only issue is that it might not be that effective for stuck-on dirt.
What Makes Selenite Special?
Selenite is a crystal variant of gypsum that many people revere. You can find selenite in all the world’s continents, save for Africa and Antarctica. Some people might wonder what it is that makes selenite so unique.
Well, most people believe selenite holds some extraordinary energy. That’s besides how radiant the mineral is. You will find most people with the selenite as wands or beads because of the energy it gives off.
It is, therefore, an important mineral, especially when such people are meditating.
FAQ About How to Clean Selenite
Why Isn’t It Advisable to Use Water to Clean Selenite?
The most significant reason is that it disintegrates in water. However, you can use warm water provided you only pass the water on the surface of the mineral briefly. If you insist on using water instead of 70% alcohol solution or acetone, use warm water.
Does Selenite Self-Cleanse?
Yes, selenite can self-cleanse. However, if you see the need to cleanse it yourself, you can do that by letting the selenite crystal rest down in direct contact with the earth, setting the crystal in direct contact with natural light (from the sun and the moon), and placing it on other cleansing stones.
How Can I Ensure My Selenite Crystal Remains Clean?
The best way to do this is by handling it with care. Wear gloves when handling it and be careful. It would help if you also stored it in a safe place away from any impurities. A clean pouch can do here.
Final Thoughts
If you didn’t know how to clean your selenite crystals, we hope you’ve found what you were looking for. There are different ways you can clean selenite, so choose one that works for you. Remember that selenite is a soft crystal that will need you to be careful when cleaning.
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