Cleaning Marble Granite Headstones

Gravestones can become covered in moss and lichen and the carved words can become obscured with dirt and grime.

Cleaning marble granite headstones.

Supplies needed for cleaning headstones. Marble needs to be treated even more gently than granite. Different types will require different cleaning methods. We look for potentially damaged areas including stress cracks loose sections biological growth and other factors that might be invisible to an untrained person.

You want to keep the marble wet throughout the cleaning process by continually wiping the marble headstone with a cloth and clean water. The goal of cleaning is to remove air pollution soiling lichen bird droppings dirt salts and sap it is not to make the headstone marker look like new improper or unnecessary cleaning can accelerate the deterioration of marble and granite. Monuments will wear down over the centuries and we are able to restore these monuments to almost new condition. It is important that you know what type of stone you are dealing with.

If there is growth remove using a wooden scraper. We have worked on restoration projects such as civil war headstones as well as full cemetery restorations. Here we ll go over what you ll need for marble granite and bronze headstones. Clean a marble gravestone.

Steps to clean a marble headstone. Gravestones are made of many materials such as marble granite limestone sandstone bronze slate iron concrete and more. Rinse and wipe the marble headstone once all of the debris has been removed by the soapy water mixture rinse the entire surface of the marble headstone thoroughly with clean water and a clean cloth. In addition to our own restoration work we offer quality granite cleaning supplies to restore the stone s natural luster.

Pre wet the stone with clean water. Supplies vary based on the gravestone material. For granite see our guide how to clean a granite headstone tombstone. If you re making the effort to clean a headstone you obviously want to do it right.

For marble use the cleaning steps below. Each of these handle cleanings and subsequent cleaning products differently. In knowing how to clean a marble headstone properly you adopt the gentlest least invasive practices to preserve the longevity of the stone. First you ll need some cleaning supplies to get started.

How to clean a marble headstone. Cleaning a white marble gravestone requires care and some special tools but it is a relatively easy task that can be accomplished in one afternoon. Ivory or orvus natural bristled brushes. This is the opposite of an all to common assumption that extreme measures given the contaminants should be used on exterior marble cleaning.

Learn how to clean a headstone without damaging it.