Cleaning a loved one’s headstone is a great way to honor them after they’ve passed. But how do you clean a headstone?
Robison Funeral Home is here to provide some helpful tips on how to clean a headstone so you can ensure that your loved one is remembered.
General Cleaning Steps
Although the type of headstone can impact the best way to approach cleaning it, some general steps apply to all headstones. Below, we’ll lay out the three basic steps of cleaning every headstone. Later, we’ll look at specific techniques for the different types.
Step #1: Assess and Prepare
The first step in any cleaning process is to examine the object’s condition. You want to look for any signs of damage for headstones, such as cracks, chips, or flaking areas. If the headstone is damaged, consult a professional so that any needed repairs can be performed.
If the headstone isn’t damaged, you can prepare for the cleaning process. When you go to the cemetery, bring standard cleaning supplies with you. For headstones, you’ll want a soft-bristle brush, distilled water, and pH-neutral soap.
Step #2: Soap and Water
To begin the cleaning process, wet the headstone thoroughly with distilled water. This will create a barrier preventing soap from absorbing directly into the stone. As stone is porous, it would otherwise absorb the cleaner, which could lead to discoloration.
With the headstone wet, apply a small amount of pH-neutral soap to your soft-bristle brush. Abrasive cleaners and stiff brushes can damage the stone, so ensure you’ve brought the right equipment.
Step #3: Gentle Scrubbing and Rinsing
Next, gently scrub the headstone with a soapy brush. Scrub with a circular motion, taking extra time on the visibly dirty areas. This will ensure that the stone is cleaned uniformly.
Once you’ve finished scrubbing the dirt off, rinse the headstone thoroughly with distilled water. Take extra care to remove all soap residue from the surface to avoid chemical damage to the stone.
Cleaning a Granite Headstone
Granite is one of the more durable stones a headstone can be made out of. The material is less porous, which makes it easier to clean. If your initial cleaning still leaves some tough stains, you can find cleaners designed specifically for granite. Avoid acidic cleaners as they can etch into the granite surface.
Granite can sometimes develop growth on it, like lichens. When these are too stubborn to remove with a brush and cleaner, they can be gently picked off with a wooden or plastic scraper.
After thoroughly rinsing the cleaned headstone, dry it as well as you can to help prevent streaks.
Cleaning a Marble Headstone
Marble is more porous than granite, making it harder to clean. It’s also more sensitive to acids, making it extra important to avoid acidic cleaners. Instead, you can remove stubborn stains from the material using a poultice made from baking soda and water. Apply the poultice to the stone, cover it with plastic wrap for 24 hours, and then rinse it off.
Marble can develop stains that become ingrained into the stone’s surface. Regular cleaning can prevent this from happening.
Cleaning a Limestone Headstone
In some ways, limestone is similar to marble. It’s also a porous material that’s highly sensitive to acidic cleaners. Like marble, you can clean it with a poultice of baking soda and water.
One area where limestone differs from marble is that it’s prone to erosion. This means you should limit how often you clean the stone to prevent unwarranted wear. When you do clean, take extra care to be gentle.
Contact Us Today To Learn More About Our Services
Robinson Funeral Home offers a full range of end-of-life services, including cremation, a cemetery, and burial services. Contact us today to learn how we’ll work with you to honor your loved one best, or call us at 864-531-7719.
Image Credits: vyasphoto/Shutterstock