How to Properly Clean Rocks

Gather the Necessary Tools

• 1

  Use what you have at home. Many of the necessary tools can be found at home like cotton swabs, tweezers and alcohol.

• 2

  Visit a craft store. You can find a variety of shapes, sizes and coarseness for the various brushes used for cleaning.

• 3

  Sort and organize your collection before gathering tools. Different stones require alternate types of cleaning methods to ensure the rock's integrity remains intact.

• 4

  Consider ordering some of the tools online or through a catalog. Many companies offer complete kits to help you properly clean the rocks.

Properly Clean Your Rocks

• 5

  Hold the specimen in your hand. Vices can damage the rock.

• 6

  Remove loose debris using the awl or pointed scrapers. Discard the loose debris.

• 7

  Remove debris from crevices using tweezers. You can also use tweezers to gently grip any small rock specimens.

• 8

  Use the brushes after removing all debris. The brushes can be used in conjunction with alcohol or distilled water to further the cleaning process.

• 9

  Find out the chemical composition of your rocks. If you plan to use liquids for cleaning, knowing the composition beforehand can prevent damage to the rock.

• 10

  Clean some stones in distilled water using the sturdy brush. Types include quartz, topaz, tourmaline, garnet, beryl and spodumene.

• 11

  Protect delicate rocks. For example, calcite should only be cleaned using distilled water and the sable brush.

• 12

  Save alcohol for the sulfates group. When cleaning gypsum, for example, it is safe and recommended that you use alcohol.