For many spiritual seekers, mala is more than just a jewelry; they are sacred tools that enhance meditation and provide guidance. Therefore, mala care and maintenance are a top priority. You should take good care of your mala even if you are not a spiritual practitioner. Properly taking care of your mala is essential for preserving their looks and spiritual essence. While some mala materials like gemstones are durable, they still need some form of upkeep. However, knowing how to take care of Mala can be hard.
In this blog, we will share tips for mala care and maintenance according to the types of materials used in the mala to preserve its looks and spiritual essence. Therefore, without any further ado, let’s get started!
Tips for Mala Care and Maintenance according to Mala Material
Before we go into how to care for mala, it is important to know about various mala materials. There are several types of mala materials. However, they can be categorized into a few broad types. Some common types and general care requirements for these types are as follows.
Gemstones
Gemstones are natural minerals or rocks, and they are prized for their beauty along with deep spiritual significance. Depending on the gemstones, they can be common, semi-precious, and precious. Regardless of the type of gemstones, they are highly durable and require little maintenance. Regardless, you should still take care of your gemstones well. For this, you can wipe them gently and avoid harsh chemicals. You can also energize gemstones by keeping them under moonlight or near cleansing crystals.
Wood
Wooden Malas are among the most common and sustainable forms of mala. As their name suggests, wooden mala is made from wood sourced from various trees. Although wooden mala are highly durable, they are still prone to damage. To prevent the damage, you can follow some of the steps below:
- Avoid excessive exposure to moisture.
- Periodically apply natural oil in small quantities
- Keep the wooden mala away from direct sunlight or extreme exposure to heat and cold.
By following these simple steps, you can make the wooden mala last longer.
Seeds
Similar to wooden mala, seed mala is made from naturally sourced materials. These malas are primarily made from various types of seeds, such as rudraksha, lotus, and bodhi seeds. They are more durable than wooden mala in general. However, you should still take care of these malas. Some of the ways to care for seed mala are as follows:
- Gently cleanse your mala with a soft dry cloth
- Apply small amounts of natural oil
- Keep them away from extreme heat or cold.
- Avoid excessive moisture.
You can make the seed mala last longer by following these simple steps.
These are the three primary categories of materials used for malas. Besides these, there are still other types of mala, such as glass mala. However, you can categorize other categories into these three main ones.
Essentials for Mala Care and Maintenance
After knowing mala materials, knowing how to care for your mala is essential. Caring for your mala ensures its longevity, energy, and connection. This ensures that the mala ensures its physical appearance and the spiritual essence it holds. Therefore, you need to make your customers aware of how to care for their mala. Doing this can build trust with your customers and enhance your brand image. But what are the methods to care for mala? Some of the primary ways how you can educate your customers to care are as follows:
Gentle Handling
Handling them gently is one of the best and easiest ways to care for a mala. You should make your customers aware of this fact. Advise them not to tug or put too much stress on the mala beads or threads. Additionally, you should also advise them not to wear mala necklaces or wrist mala during physical activities. Doing so will keep Mala away from sweat and impact.
Cleaning
As a retailer, you should also remind your customers to clean their mala occasionally. Occasional cleaning will help the mala retain its beauty for a longer period. Furthermore, it also retains the spiritual association with the mala. That said, the specifics of the cleaning methods will vary depending on the material used for the mala. Regardless, there are some general guidelines you can follow. Some of these general guidelines are as follows:
Storage
Besides handling, you should make your customers aware of proper storage methods. Proper storage can enhance the durability of the mala and make them look attractive for a long period. Furthermore, it can also preserve the spirituality of the mala. Some of the methods to store mala are as follows:
Store mala on a Mala bag
- Keep the mala away from dust and direct sunlight
- Avoid high moisture and humidity
- Prevent hanging the mala
- Minimize the contact of mala with other jewelry
You can teach your customers These three core methods regarding mala care. Besides these, there are also additional care methods. These include combing the tassels and regular inspection. Regardless of the method, it is important to care for Mala. Doing so will help longevity. Furthermore, as we mentioned earlier, teaching these methods to your customers will aid in the branding of your retail store.
Cleansing and Re-energizing the Mala
So far, we discussed the physical aspect of caring for the mala. However, as you may know, mala is not just about physical appearance but also spiritual. Therefore, you should also be aware of the spiritual method to care about the mala. As a retailer, knowing this will help you establish yourself as an authentic expert regarding mala. That said, there are several re-energizing practices in various beliefs and traditions. Some of the popular methods of re-energizing the mala are as follows:
Smudging
In re-energizing, you burn a sage and other cleansing herbs. While burning the herbs, you let the smoke pass through the mala.
Moonlight Bath
This is a simple method of re-energizing the mala. In this method, all you need to do is place the mala under direct moonlight during a full moon night. Moonlight bath is a popular method to re-energize gemstone mala.
Sound Healing
Sound healing uses the vibrations and frequencies from singing bowls and bells to re-energize the mala. You simply let the vibrations pass through the mala for a specified duration to let the mala absorb the energy from the surroundings.
Mantra Chanting
Mantra chanting is a popular method to re-energize mala in both Hinduism and Buddhism. In this method, one should find the mantra associated with the mala and chant the mantra while holding the mala.
Note: If you want to know the specific way to care for and energize the Rudraksha mala, do check out our blog on “How to Wear and Care for Rudraksha“
Offering Incense and Prayers
In this method of re-energizing the mala, you burn incense and offer prayers to the mala. This method is commonly used in Hinduism and Buddhism. That said, this method is not exclusive to these two religions.
These are just some of the popular and common methods to re-energize the mala. The specifics will vary depending on the culture, beliefs, and traditions of your customers. Regardless, it is still a good idea to know about these methods. As we mentioned earlier, knowing about the re-energizing methods will help you seem more authentic and uplift your branding.
Conclusion
Properly caring for mala beads may take time and effort. However, the effort is well spent. Taking care of mala will enhance their longevity, beauty, and spiritual connection. Therefore, it is important to know the methods of caring for the mala. As a retail shop, you should have a clear idea of the mala materials, along with caring and re-energizing methods. This information will help you guide your customers and increase your store’s credibility. Educating your customers about these factors will also enhance their trust in your store. Therefore, although this knowledge may seem secondary, it is crucial for your business.
We hope you found this helpful. If you want further insights into mala and other spiritual accessories, do check out some of our other blogs. And as always, thank you for reading till the end.
FAQ on Mala Care and Maintenance
Q: How do I clean my Mala beads?
A: There are many ways to clean your mala beads. One of the primary methods is to wipe them gently with clean clothes. If the dirt does not go away, try the following method.
- Boil the water and let it cool down
- Put in a little bit of detergent or liquid soap
- Carefully scrub each bead with a soft bristle brush
Q: What is the best way to store my mala?
A: The best way to store your mala is by keeping it in a soft mala pouch or a dedicated case. You should keep the mala away from extreme heat, cold, and dirt. It is also a good idea to keep the mala away from direct sunlight and humidity.