How To Clean Headstones Made From Different Materials

closeup depth of field shot of gravestone

How To Make clean Headstones Made From Unlike Materials

Headstones serve as lasting memorials to preserve the past of the ones we love and the memories we cherish with them. Past cleaning the headstone once a twelvemonth (or even less frequently, depending on the material), you tin forestall crud and decay, and keep your loved 1's headstone looking fresh and untarnished. Learn how to clean a headstone without damaging it.

Supplies Needed For Cleaning Headstones

First, you'll need some cleaning supplies to get started. Supplies vary based on the gravestone cloth. Here, we'll become over what you'll demand for marble, granite, and bronze headstones.

Marble Headstones
  • Clean h2o
  • Soft-bristle castor
  • Ammonium hydroxide detergent or household ammonia mixed (1 oz per gallon of h2o)
  • Gloves
  • Sponge
  • Spray canteen
Granite, Sandstone, Slate Headstones
  • Clean water
  • Soft-bristle brush
  • Not-ionic detergent (1 oz per gallon of water)
  • Biocidal cleaning solution
  • Gloves
  • Sponge
  • Spray canteen

Assess The Headstone

First and foremost, appraise the status of the headstone. If it shows signs of flaking, crumbling or bang-up, then avoid using difficult-thistle brushes, do not scrape, and avoid ability washing. Be sure to avert using bleach because it causes dark-brown staining over fourth dimension. Sandstone, slate, and marble gravestones will gradually deteriorate after cleaning, and then they should be thoroughly cleaned every seven-ten years, and no more than.

Marble headstones should only be cleaned if they are in decent condition. If too much smashing or damage decay is present, attempting to clean it could cause further irreparable harm.

How To Clean Marble Headstones

  1. Soak: Soak the stone by spraying it down with a hose or dumping a bucket of clean water over the entire surface. Headstones can be very porous and can soak up the cleaning solution before information technology has a chance to work. Spraying downwardly the headstone showtime will aid maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution.
  2. Mix: Dilute ammonium hydroxide (use with caution) 1:4 with water when cleaning light colored stones. This is peculiarly effective for the removal of biological growth. Make certain you are rinsing thoroughly with clean, fresh h2o.
  3. Apply: Utilise a castor to gently utilise the soap/h2o mixture. Test your solution in an inconspicuous area first, this volition ensure that you get the desired results once dried.
  4. Scrub: With a soft-bristle castor, gently scrub the headstone in orbital motility from bottom to height. Avoid whatsoever cracks or flakes when scrubbing. You may desire to avert cleaning the unabridged stone if at that place is an excessive corporeality of scratches or flaking.
  5. Rinse: Avert force per unit area washing the stone. Always rinse the stone from bottom to top to avoid streaking. Rinse with a hose or bucket of water with make clean, fresh water until the stone is clear of whatever cleaning solution.

Be sure to continue the headstone moisture throughout the process.

Repeat this procedure every ii years for thorough cleaning, although normal dirt and residue may be removed simply with water and zilch else.

How To Clean Granite Headstones

  1. Soak: Soak the stone with a hose or by dumping a bucket of clean h2o over the entire surface. Headstones can be very porous and tin soak upwardly the cleaning solution earlier it has a chance to work. Spraying down the headstone start will assist maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution.
  2. Mix: Non-ionic detergents are generally recommended for cleaning granite headstones. Mix but one-ounce of non-ionic detergent to 5 gallons of water.
  3. Employ: Use a brush to gently apply the cleaning solution. E'er test the solution to ensure the all-time results after the area has dried.
  4. Scrub: With a soft-bristle brush, gently scrub the headstone in an orbital motion from lesser to peak. Avoid any cracks or flakes when scrubbing. Avoid cleaning the entire stone if in that location is an excessive corporeality of scratches or flaking.
  5. Rinse: Always rinse the stone from bottom to top to avert streaking. Rinse with a hose or bucket of water with clean, fresh h2o until the rock is clear of any cleaning solution.

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