A Quick Guide to Cleaning Headstones, Memorials, and Mausoleums

One of the most neglected areas of stone care is the graveyard. If you have ever visited a cemetery and looked around, what you will see is that many of the headstones are in poor condition. The reason for this is that the cemetery is not responsible for the care of the headstones or memorials. They are only responsible for maintaining the grounds around them. This makes family members responsible for cleaning and caring for the stone.

The other challenge is that most family members will not know how to properly clean the headstone, and cemetery staff will often not be able to help in this area. There is also not much information on this topic. Here are some basic things to consider when cleaning those precious headstones.

The first thing to know is that if you are not comfortable or afraid of ruining the stone, contact a service expert who can help you in this area. They can ensure that the work is done properly and professionally.

The next step is to determine and find out what type of stone you will be working with. Generally, these stones are made up of granite, marble, and occasionally limestone and sandstone. Knowing which stone it is is important because certain cleaning chemicals can be very destructive when used on the wrong stone. Acidic cleaners may be fine for granite, but they etch and dissolve marble and limestone. So don’t rush out and buy just any stone cleaner.

Marble

If you are dealing with marble stone, it is extremely important that you stay away from acidic chemicals such as vinegar, cleaners containing lemon, masonry cleaners, CLR or tile cleaners and various mildew removers. Check product ingredients before use. Remember, stay away from anything acidic. A good marble cleaner and polish will do the trick as it is safe on all graveyard stone surfaces. Remember that when cleaning this stone, stay away from harsh abrasives, wire brushes, and hard tools or cleaning materials.

granite

Granite, unlike marble, is a much harder stone. It is also highly resistant to acids and will not etch or leave dull stains like marble. Granite is a great choice for headstones for these reasons. A good granite cleaner should be used to clean this stone.

Limestone

Limestone is another option used for headstones and memorials. Limestones are made up of calcite from shells, corals, and other marine debris. It is considered sedimentary rock. The coarse grain of some limestones gives them excellent durability, but here again they are susceptible to acid attack. Drop a drop of vinegar or place a slice of lemon on such a stone and it will leave an etched mark on the surface where the stone dissolved within a few minutes.

Sandstone

The stone can be found in older gravestones and is rarely used today. This stone is coarse and loose in texture. Sandstone is very resistant to acid and is rarely polished, but it can be damaged by abrasives or brushes.

SEALING

Once clean, one is ready to seal. Sealing prevents discoloration if a colored liquid is allowed to seep into the stone. In effect, the stamps are designed to minimize staining. Once clean, you may want to periodically seal the surface with a stone sealer.

So these are just some of the things to stay away from when cleaning your gemstone:

1. Abrasives

2. Acids

3. Pressure washing

4. Heat and torches

5. Various chemical cleaners

There are many good cleaners and polishes you can use to get the job done right. Once clean, seal.

Remember, if you don’t feel comfortable doing the job, a stone care professional is just a phone call away.