6 Amazing Tips For Cleaning and Maintaining Massage Stones

by Chris Turley

Congratulations! You just received your new kit of premiere massage stones. They are magnificent: shiny, smooth, and symmetrical. You are ready to give your patient (a customer or that someone special) a relaxing massage, using the stones. But you are uncertain about which procedure best heats the stones. Should you let them sunbathe outside? Should you put them in a big bucket of hot water? Should you nuke them in the microwave? As with any other tool, a massage stone must be used properly, in order for its effectiveness to be maximized. Hot rocks for massaging are no exception. It is vital to follow the correct procedures when heating your massage stone collection:

1. Stone soup. Some people use appliances such as crock-pots, to heat their stones for massages. If you use this technique before you get your massage stone heater, be certain to follow some important steps. The temperature should be set to medium, and the stones should be arranged evenly around the container's basin. This will ensure that the stones are heated evenly and gradually. However, it is advisable that you secure a proper heater, as they are specially designed to heat massage rocks, rather than meat and potatoes.

2. Breaking in the stones. Before the first time you use your stones for massage, rinse them in warm water, and then oil them using massage oil. Next, let the stones sit for a while, so they absorb the oil. Then the stones are ready to be heated, and used for a relaxing, invigorating massage.

3. Good as new. Between massages, it is important to clean your massage stones. For roughly 5-10 minutes, boil the stones in a deep pan that has been filled with water. Does the type of water matter? River or sea water should be your first option. However, boiled tap water with some sea salt added can work well as an alternative. After cleaning the stones, let them cool naturally at room temperature.

Special products on the market, such as disinfectant, will help to make your stones clean as a whistle, before you place the first one on your patient's back. Products such as alcohol and tree oil can be used. However, the stones could absorb these substances, including their scents. In addition, some people may even have an allergic reaction to such liquids.

4. Too hot to handle? How do you know when a massage stone is too hot? As a general rule, if you can handle them without any difficulty, then the stones are not too hot. While heating and using the stones, check them periodically to verify that they are not too hot.

5. Gentlemen, start your heater! Various types of massage stone heaters are available. Typically, they resemble shallow pans that hold water that has been heated. Thus, the rocks are able to achieve a temperature that is even. Whichever heater you choose, it is of the utmost importance that it does not overheat the stones, as they can seem to take forever to cool off. Also, for any heater that you use, ensure that the heating fixture emits a temperature that is stable and adjustable.

6. Rock on! (but not too soon). After cleaning your stones for massage, wait a while before you reuse them. The stones will be too hot after the cleaning process. You should let them first air dry indoors or outdoors.

After you get your massage stones, spend some time learning how to clean, maintain, and heat them. Though the stones are perfect for massages, follow some basic steps to ensure that they will continue to serve their purpose well. Then your stones will be ready for the main event!