Taking care of your mala
Simple care for a long relationship
Rudraksha is a natural seed. Looked after properly it will last for decades and darken beautifully with wear. Neglected, it dries out and eventually cracks. Almost everything below is practical rather than ritual.
Keep it dry and clean
Wipe it with a soft dry cloth after use. Avoid soap, chemicals, perfume and strong cleaning products.
Avoid harsh conditions
Do not leave it in direct strong sunlight for long periods. Remove it before swimming or using chemical water.
Handle with respect
Store it in a clean, dry place when not wearing it. Check the thread, silver links or clasp from time to time.
Cleaning and oiling
Once in a while, rinse the mala in plain warm water without soap, and use a soft brush on the clefts only if grime has collected there. Dry it fully with a soft cloth and then let it air dry away from direct sunlight.
Two or three times a year, work a small amount of a light natural oil over the beads with your fingers and wipe away the excess. Mustard oil or sesame oil is traditionally used. This keeps the seed from drying out and deepens the colour over time. Never oil a mala that is still damp.
Checking the thread
Look over the thread, silver links or clasp from time to time. Fraying, a bead that has begun to slide loosely, or discolouration of the thread where it passes through a bead are all signs that it is time to restring.
Restringing is ordinary maintenance and carries no negative meaning at all. Do it before something breaks. A mala that parts in a public place can lose a bead, and in a Siddha Mala a lost bead may be difficult to match. We restring malas for our customers, including ones bought elsewhere.
Wearing it every day
Rudraksha is traditionally worn continuously, including while sleeping. The usual cautions are practical rather than religious: keep it clear of soap and treated water, and take it off for any work where it could be soiled or caught.
If a bead cracks
A crack is usually the result of the bead drying out, most often from heat or long exposure to sun. Traditions differ on whether a cracked bead should continue to be worn; the more common view is that it should be retired respectfully rather than simply thrown away. Bring it to us and we can advise and, where possible, replace it.