Cleaning Marble Gravestones

Clean limestone using the same method as the one used to clean marble.

Cleaning marble gravestones. Minimize the number of times a cemetery headstone is cleaned in its lifetime consider a plan to clean once a year. The most common types of headstones existing today are made of sandstone granite marble and limestone. Spraying down the headstone first will help maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution. Mix a marble cleaning product or 1 tablespoon of non ionic soap such as ivory with 1 gallon of water.

Use the same method you would use for a granite stone. Most headstones are made up of natural stones which are comprised of salts and minerals. Cleaning headstones helps to preserve them and it should never be your intent to make them look new again just clean. Here are the do s for cleaning exterior marble.

Let the area dry after cleaning to determine its effectiveness. Remove excess debris dip a natural bristle brush into the soap and water mixture and brush along the surface of the marble headstone to scrub away any excess debris. Limestone is another popular choice for headstones. Always test a cleaner on a dry section of marble before using it on the entire headstone.

Clean the sides and back of the stone first then lastly. Gravestones can become covered in moss and lichen and the carved words can become obscured with dirt and grime. Cleaning more frequently can weaken the marble. Cleaning weak marble can result in further irreparable damage.

Most markers in cemeteries are made of limestone sandstone slate marble granite or in some cases concrete. Use water only to clean stones. Mix 1 tablespoon of the non ionic soap with 1 gallon of water. Professionals may use other cleaning agents.

How to clean marble headstones. Remove loose dry material with a soft bristled brush. However each marker s condition is different and you should base your cleaning on the condition of that stone. Do no harm the first step in cleaning a gravestone.

Use the wooden scraper to remove any algae or moss growth from the surface. Soak the stone by spraying it down with a hose or dumping a bucket of clean water over the entire surface. Soak the stone with water to saturate any growth that may be present. The steps below will help you in cleaning gravestones as safely as possible to prevent further damage to the gravestone.

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. Headstones can be very porous and can soak up the cleaning solution before it has a chance to work. Bleach is alkaline so it doesn t pose the big risk of acidic.