How to clean piercings: expert tips for safe healing

So, you’ve got a new piercing — yay! Whether it’s a fresh lobe piercing or a bold cartilage moment, taking care of it is just as important as picking the perfect earrings. Don’t worry though, figuring out how to clean piercings doesn’t have to be a chore. With a little know-how and a consistent routine, you’ll keep your new additions happy, healthy, and looking gorgeous.

At Adorn512, we’ve pierced more ears than we can count, and we know what it takes to make your healing process smooth and stress-free. Let’s walk you through everything you need to know about cleaning your piercings and keeping them at their best.

Healing takes time (and a bit of patience)

Before we get into the how-to, let’s set some expectations. Piercings may look small and simple, but they’re essentially tiny wounds that need time and care to heal properly. Skipping steps or rushing through the process can lead to irritation, infections, and a longer recovery. The key here is patience. Every piercing has its own healing timeline, and it’s your job to give it the attention it deserves.

For earlobe piercings, the healing period typically lasts around six weeks. Keep the original earrings in during this time — no swapping, even though we know it can be tempting. Taking them out too soon can cause the hole to close up, trap bacteria, or just slow down the whole healing process. Not ideal.

Now, for cartilage piercings, we’re looking at a longer healing game — twelve weeks or more. Cartilage takes its sweet time to heal since it doesn’t get as much blood flow as the soft tissue in your earlobes. Plus, it’s a little more delicate and can be prone to irritation or infection if not treated with extra care.

During this healing window, cleaning your piercing is a must. Your body’s busy working overtime to repair the tissue around the jewelry, and a clean piercing creates the perfect environment for healing. Ready to learn how to keep your piercing fresh and healthy? Let’s go.

Your step-by-step guide to cleaning your piercing

Cleaning your piercing isn’t complicated — we promise! Just stick to this simple routine:

1. Wash your hands: Always, always wash your hands before touching your piercing. Clean hands are your first line of defense against bacteria, so don’t skip this step. 

2. Grab a cotton swab and ear care solution: Next, use a gentle saline solution or a trusted piercing aftercare product (like our Ear Care Solution) to clean both the front and back of your piercing. We recommend doing this at least twice a day. Coat your cotton swab in the solution and clean around the piercing in a circular motion, removing any bacteria or debris that might have built up during the day. For lobe piercings only, move any surrounding hair out of the way and gently rotate your earring once after cleaning while it’s still wet. 

3. Check your earring backs: After you’ve finished cleaning the area, check to make sure your earring back is snug, but not over-tightened. Tightening too much can restrict airflow, which is a no-no for proper healing. You want your piercing to breathe.

4. Keep it clean and dry: After cleaning, make sure your piercing stays dry. Moisture can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so avoid letting your piercing stay wet for long periods. After swimming, working out, or using hair products, give it a quick cleanse and gently pat it dry with a clean towel. This small step can go a long way in preventing irritation or infection.

5. Disinfect your daily essentials: Once a day, disinfect everything that comes into contact with your piercing — think headphones, glasses, phones, and AirPods. The less bacteria near your piercing, the better. 

Extra tips to prevent irritation

Now you're equipped with the cleaning basics, let's dive into some extra tips that’ll prevent irritation and help your piercing heal perfectly.

• Always start with clean hands! Yes, we’ve already covered this, but it’s a biggie so we’re including it here too. Wash your hands thoroughly with antibacterial soap before touching your piercing. It’s the easiest way to avoid introducing bacteria to the area.

• Resist the urge to touch your piercing unless absolutely necessary. The fewer hands-on moments, the better for healing.

• Change your pillowcase regularly to reduce bacteria transfer while you sleep. It’s a simple step that makes a big difference.

• Let scabs fall off naturally. Picking can cause irritation or even infection — let your body do its thing.

• Avoid swimming in pools, hot tubs, or lakes until your piercing is fully healed. Water can introduce bacteria and delay healing.

• Keep the initial jewelry in place until the piercing is fully healed. Removing it prematurely can cause the hole to close up or become infected.

• Don’t use makeup or hair products near your piercing. Products like makeup, hairspray, or gel can irritate your piercing and increase the risk of infection.

• Stick to the aftercare instructions your piercer gave you. They’re the experts, after all.

With a little TLC, your new piercing will heal beautifully, leaving you with a stunning accessory that you'll love for years to come. By following the right steps, it’ll be looking flawless in no time. So, keep it clean, keep it dry, and let the healing process do its thing! 

Want to make sure you’re clued up on which jewelry is right for your next piercing? Dive into our detailed piercing jewelry guide.