If the stone shows signs of chipping, scaling, flaking or other forms of deterioration, do not do any brushing or scraping as part of the cleaning process. You will do more harm then good. Apply a high quality biological cleaning solution only. Grab the top recommended D2 Biological Solution here! One of the downfalls of this product is that you won’t see instant results and will need to put some faith in the product. Perhaps you could plan to apply for the treatment a week before and visiting. To prepare the spray when you are ready to clean, simply mix equal parts of lemon juice and water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle. Apply the cleaning solution to your headstone with the sponge. You will start from the bottom and work your way up in gentle circular motions. Once the cleaning solution has been applied, let it soak into the stone for 10 minutes. 6. Scrub the Stone First, the claim to give free estimates, which is always a benefit and promotes the adage, “it doesn’t hurt to ask.”

Your funeral director may be able to advise you of your chosen cemetery’s regulations and the cemetery itself should be able to supply the information. How to clean a Gravestone For more information on the longest-lasting headstone material, please read my full article on this topic here. In the next sections, we’ll go over how to make and use each of these DIY headstone cleaners. Steps for Cleaning Gravestones with Baking Soda There is a large variety of all-purpose marble and granite cleaner on the market but like the Klean Logik Headstone Cleaner above they usually include sealers in them that make them not ideal for our purpose.

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Granite is the toughest of the stone family of common headstone materials. It can certainly take a beating and is strong enough to withstand the blasting of water pressure washers (I wouldn’t use a sandblaster) White vinegar: White vinegar is a natural disinfectant that can be used to remove mold and mildew from headstones. Our assumption that it kills the growth might be warranted as it doesn’t claim to be safe for plants that are exposed to the mixture, but it does claim to be safe for use with surfaces, such as fences, retaining walls, and outdoor pots, all of which might be adjacent to plantlife. Assuming that your stone was properly prepared, to begin with, meaning consolidator (to fill in the gaps) and sealant (to keep moisture out), it should be easy enough to clean. Objects, such as flower pots, vases and lanterns should not be left on the natural stone for too long. They will leave discolouring over time.

This is a very safe technique when properly employed, and may be performed on very delicate surfaces. It is often used in museum environments. Once a year, you will need to clean, wax, and polish it. Again, we take non-ionic water and soap and a soft brush to clean it. Then we wait for it to dry and apply a wax to seal it, buffing the wax to get a nice shine. Baking powder is less aggressive than vinegar, but it can still affect natural stone. It is better not to clean the gravestone with soda. Next, consider the effect that cleaning solutions and methods will have on the stone. Then weigh the benefits against the potential risk of possibly damaging the surface. Cleaning may only make damage worse if the gravestone is already flaking or peeling. When this happens unexpectedly, it can be distressing for the bereaved. Most cemeteries provide details of their rules, which could help an informed choice to avoid upsetting circumstances.It’s important to know the type of headstone you’re dealing with before you start cleaning it. Different materials require different cleaning methods, and using the wrong method could damage the headstone. In the US, there are not very many products that are specifically tailored for headstones but there are many products for stonework in general. Before I get into them, let’s talk about some big no-nos. CLR – Calcium Lime Rust