Prayer beads are a beautiful way to keep track of your prayers or stay focused during meditation. But what do you do when they start looking old and worn? Whether it’s been sitting at the bottom of a drawer or you are using it every day, the beads would need special attention from time to time. It’s time to give them some TLC or “tender loving care.”
Tips for Keeping Your Prayer Beads in Top Shape
The prayer beads have been used for centuries to help people focus their energies on a single thought, and provide a sense of peace and tranquility. Keeping your prayer bead in top shape can be quite the challenge, but it’s an indispensable part of honoring these spiritual tools.
Let’s give you tips on how to care for these beads, so they last longer and stay looking great!
Restring the Beads
Whether the prayer beads are made of wood, metals, or plastic, restringing can give them a new lease on life. Cotton or silk threads get worn over time through frequent use and exposure to the elements. In such conditions, the strands can break easily under mild use too.
Consider bead restringing if the threads are too worn out. It will keep your rosary or japamala in impeccable shape for longer periods.
Clean the Beads
It’s important to keep your beads clean. If they are wood or seed beads, don’t use water. Anything liquid is likely to shorten the lifespan of the beads, so a damp cloth should do the job just fine. Also, wipe them regularly with a dry cloth, so dust cannot settle on the surface. For beads made of other materials, you can clean them with mild soap and water. An ammonia-free glass cleaner will also give good cleaning results.
Avoid leaving the rosary in direct sunlight or stored in humid conditions, as that will also have negative effects on its longevity.
Protect Fragile Beads from Pressure
Caring for your crystal, glass, or gemstone rosary can be a challenge. These types of beads are delicate and not as durable as those made of plastic or metal. Avoid placing these rosaries on surfaces that will scratch or chip it, such as concrete floors or tile. Also, be careful about not dropping them on hard surfaces, as this could cause the beads to shatter.
Add Some Oil
If you see your prayer beads are looking dull and the color seems faded, it might be time for an application of coconut oil. You can also apply the oil when the beads look dry after cleaning. Use cotton swabs for oiling in hard-to-reach areas like between the beads. This will help restore their original luster and shine, while also moisturizing them at the same time.
Conclusion
Prayer beads deserve to be cherished and kept safe. They should be handled with care as they can easily become damaged. You should always remove your prayer beads and give them a thorough cleaning and anointing before storing them away for the night to ensure they remain as pristine as possible.