How to Care for Your Mala

Malas are incredibly personal items that contain healing energies, represent your intentions and act as a daily reminder to be more mindful + remain present. And because they’re sentimental and designed to be worn for a long time, it’s important that you care for your mala to help extend its lifespan. Here’s how to do so:

When you receive your mala…

As soon as you receive your mala beads, cleanse them (instructions below) and set an intention before wearing them for the first time. This intention can be inspired by the mala’s gemstone properties, or can be a manifestation of what your soul needs or wants.

How to cleanse your mala

Because malas absorb your energy—as well as that of the people, situations + settings around you—you may want to cleanse your mala from time to time, particularly after coming in contact with a negative energy or stressful situation, or if you feel your beads are no longer giving off positive vibes.

To cleanse your mala, you can:

• Allow it to rest in the sunlight or moonlight—particularly the light of a full moon—to naturally recharge for a few hours.

• Surround it with some of your favorite gemstones to transfer their holistic energies.

• Use a Tibetan Singing Bowl, which produces a cleansing sound and vibration.

While wearing your mala…

Be careful that it isn’t exposed to excessive sweat, sunlight, perfumes or other chemicals, and avoid wearing your malas when exercising, in the shower or while swimming. Getting your mala beads wet can shorten the life of the knotting cord.

We also recommend that you avoid sleeping in your malas, or wearing them in any situation in which they might be pulled, snagged or damaged in any way.

Unless you’re wearing a wrap mala that’s specifically designed to be worn in multiple ways, avoid wrapping the mala around your wrist, as it can shorten the life of your mala.

How to store your mala

When not wearing your mala, store it in the pouch it was shipped in to protect it from harm or negative energy. Malas should never be left out in the open, as this could increase the likelihood that they’re accidentally stepped on, dropped on the floor or picked up by someone other than the original wearer.

How to clean your mala

Though it’s natural for madera (wood) malas to darken over time as they absorb your energy, you may want to clean them on occasion. To do so, let them rest in warm water for a couple of hours or overnight, then use a soft brush to gently scrub them before laying them flat and allowing them to fully dry.

Gemstone malas are a bit more delicate and should be handled with care. They can be polished with a glass-cleaning or microfiber cloth, but should never come into contact with cleaning products or chemicals.

If your mala breaks…

While our malas are carefully handcrafted using only the highest-quality materials, it's natural for a mala to break at some point. In fact, when a mala does break, it's something to be celebrated as a new beginning, rather than an unfortunate end. If or when your mala breaks, it’s a symbol that you’ve fulfilled the intention you set for your mala and that it’s time to set another intention with a new mala.

If you have questions about how to choose, care for or select a new mala, please email us at info@malaandmantra.com.