How to Cleanse Your House with Sage: A Step-by-Step Guide

Whether you’re moving into a new apartment in Austin or you’re looking to cleanse the energy in your apartment in Denver, you’ll want to understand how to effectively cleanse your house with sage.

Stephanie from Sedona Crystals Vortex explains that cleansing your home with sage is a
“centuries-old practice” rooted in Indigenous cultures and traditions, “believed to cleanse spaces of negative energy and prompt a peaceful atmosphere.” 

This practice, often referred to as “smudging” or “smoke cleansing,” can enhance your home’s ambiance and help reset the energy around you. In this ApartmentGuide, we’ll walk you through the process, clear up the difference between smudging and smoke cleansing, and provide a step-by-step guide to effectively cleanse your space.

Know the difference between smudging and smoke cleansing

Before getting started, it’s important to recognize the distinction between smudging and smoke cleansing, as each has unique cultural connotations and practices.

• Smudging is a sacred ceremonial practice originating from Indigenous cultures in North America, often used in rituals and religious ceremonies. Specific herbs, including sage, sweetgrass, and cedar, are used to connect with spiritual entities and invite protection. Kristen with Bohemian Cove shares how “as long as one is respectful and aware of where this [smudging] practice comes from, there is no reason why anyone should not be able to smudge their home.”
• Smoke cleansing involves using smoke (usually from sage or other herbs) to clear energy from a space or person, but it is not rooted in Indigenous rituals. This practice has been adapted for personal or spiritual purposes by various cultures worldwide.

If you’re cleansing your home without intending to perform a ceremonial ritual, you’re practicing smoke cleansing rather than smudging.

How to cleanse your house with sage: Step-by-step

Let’s go over each step you need to follow to cleanse your house with sage effectively.

1. Gather your materials

To begin, you’ll need the right materials to ensure a smooth process:

• Sage bundle or stick (white sage is common but considered ethically sourced varieties) is described by Andy Clements, co-owner of Mountain Mineral Market and Crystal Wholesale to “remove negative energy.”
• Explore other herbs – Owner of Stardust and Sage, Havana, shares how you can use other herbs such as “lavender, blue sage, eucalyptus, and palo santo” for cleansing your space. She shares how each of these herbs can “bring their own wonderful scents and properties to the process. The team with Fantasia Crystals adds, “If the energy is particularly heavy, use pure Dragon’s Blood resin burned on charcoal for a very potent cleanse.”
• Fireproof bowl – Eric and Megan with Lifebloom Candles share how you’ll want to be sure you have a fireproof bowl before you start burning sage. Consider one that is ceramic or abalone shell.
• Matches or a lighter
• Feather or fan – a feather or fan is recommended by Danielle England with Spirit Guide Services and is used to help “move the smoke and negative energies out of a door or window opposite from where you began.”
• Intentions – Lesley Keegan with Serenity Sage shares how she believes this is the most important part. She says, “Setting an intention to clear the space or manifest a desired energy throughout the process is ideal.

Each item has a purpose, so make sure everything is prepared before you start.

2. Prepare your space with proper airflow

When cleansing with sage, it’s crucial to have good ventilation. Open a few windows and doors to allow airflow, helping the smoke to carry away the energy you’re clearing from the space.

This airflow not only keeps your home ventilated but also symbolizes releasing negative energy. Writer Bridget Douglas recommends leaving your window open “for at least an hour after to air it out.” She also recommends using “house plants and/or an air purifier to clear the air after burning sage.”

3. Set your intention

Take a moment to clarify why you’re cleansing your space. What energy are you hoping to invite, and what do you want to release? Setting an intention helps you focus and gives your smoke cleansing more purpose.

Your intention could be as simple as “I’m cleansing this space for peace and positivity” or “I’m removing all stagnant and negative energy.”

4. Light the sage

Using a lighter or match, Irene, co-owner of Fawn Lily Botanica says to “Light one end and let it burn for a short period before blowing out the flame.” By letting the stick burn momentarily, it helps to create a smoldering smoke that you’ll carry throughout your apartment.

Sara with Denver Crystals and Gems shares how “The smoke should be consistent; if it goes out, carry a lighter to relight it.” Always handle the sage safely, as the burning embers can fall and potentially cause a fire hazard. Hold the sage over a fireproof bowl, and if necessary, have water nearby to extinguish it when finished.

Additionally, Stephanie Wontorski with AZ Stone and Crystal Co. cautions, “Prioritize safety by never leaving the smoke unattended.” 

5. Start at the entrance

When cleansing your house with sage, begin at the main entrance of your home. Gently wave the sage bundle, allowing the smoke to drift around the doorframe, inviting positive energy as you start. The entrance is the point where energy enters and exits your home, making it a powerful place to start your cleansing.

6. Move through each room with care

Gaea Rare, of Gaea Rare, a rare crystals, minerals, and home decor store, recommends going room by room and “letting the smoke drift into corners and closets” in addition to other hidden spaces where stagnant energy may linger. Use a feather or fan to guide the smoke as needed, ensuring that every corner receives attention.

Take your time with each room, and let the smoke fill each space, visualizing the energy clearing out.

7. Cleanse yourself (optional)

After finishing the space, consider gently passing the sage around your body for personal cleansing. This step is optional but can be particularly helpful if you feel energetically drained or if you want to release any negativity you may have carried during the process.

Start from your feet and move upward, allowing the smoke to envelop you and release any tension or negativity.

8. Extinguish the sage bundle

Stephanie Wontorski shares that once you’re done, “Fully extinguish any embers in your dish or bowl of sand to ensure there’s no lingering heat or flame.”

Additionally, the team with The Healing Stone in Denver, CO shares how after “about 30 minutes you can continue to cleanse using palo santo with closed windows to ensure a nice clean protection.”

Alternative cleansing solution:

Renee Mallett with Amaranth and Rue Wholesale says, “Renters, or anyone who might have respiratory limitations may be hesitant to burn sage.” Therefore, she offers the alternative, “Opt for diffusing essential oils like lavender or eucalyptus to fill your space with calming energy.”

Another method for those looking for an alternative option as recommended by psychic therapist, medium, and spiritual teacher, Vincent Genna shares how you can “Take a moment to sit comfortably in the center of any room to engage in a powerful visualization practice.” To do this, Vincent adds, “Imagine a radiant white light emanating from your heart, fill the space, and dispel any residual negative energy, spirits, or harmful influences by previous tenants.”

Concluding your cleansing ritual:

Now that you know how to cleanse your house with sage, take a few moments to sit quietly and reflect. Embrace the feeling of renewal and positivity that fills your space. Regular smoke cleansing with sage can become part of your wellness routine, helping to maintain a peaceful, positive environment in your home.

Whether you’re drawn to the ritual for its symbolic value or the comforting aroma, cleansing your home with sage is a meaningful way to connect with your surroundings and foster a sense of tranquility.