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A headstone (tombstone or gravestone) is a marker placed on the grave. If this is the grave of a deceased person you love and cherish so much, you would want this marker to always be in a good state. Since it serves as the last physical piece of memory of your loved one, you would like to take care of it as much as possible. Instead of hiring someone to the task, you may learn how to clean headstones. You can save money, as well as ensure that your loved one's final resting place is in complete order. Inspect And Assess First Inspect first if the gravestone is still in good condition before you clean it so that you can avoid unnecessary and further deterioration. If you skip inspection, it can happen that the headstone might be in a bad state already and simply pouring water over it can cause the stone marker to crumble or break apart. Stones can deteriorate overtime, especially because the headstone is constantly exposed to the elements. If the stone is already brittle and flaking, it is best not to clean it. If you see cracks, if you tap the stone and it sounds hollow, cleaning is also not recommended. Consider The Material From Which The Headstone Was Made Tombstones may be made from various materials. Sandstone/limestone are from the softest group of stones. Marble is also another stone considered as soft. Tombstones made from granite are the hardest of all. Bronze is also used more commonly today in making tombstones. The material from which the headstone is made will help you in identifying correct cleaning materials to use. For sandstone, limestone and marble, the cleaning materials you will need are buckets, a lot of water, brushes with natural or soft bristles, and non-ionic soap. Do not use the following on the gravestone so as not to cause unwanted damages: sealant, pressure washer, household cleaners, acidic cleaners and metal instruments. For granite, the materials necessary for cleaning are also similar with that of cleaning gravestones made from marble, sandstone and limestone. Since granite is sturdier than them, you can implement more aggressive techniques of scrubbing. If the headstone is still in good condition and shows no visible cracks, you may even use a pressurized washer. Be careful, though, of the colored engraved areas as the colors might be stripped off by the pressure washer. If there are calcium deposits on polished granite, use non-metallic scouring tool. A bronze headstone usually have two components: a base made of granite or cement and the bronze plate. If the base is made from granite, you can use the cleaning materials mentioned for granite headstones. For the bronze plate, you simply need to preserve its lacquer finishing. Thoroughly Wet It Use natural spring or rain water rather than hard water. Hard water may contain minerals that can deposit on the stone and affect its durability or condition. Do Not Attempt To Correct Suppose there are rust formed on the surface of a bronze gravestone, do not try to scrape it off. If the headstone also has natural growths like algae, lichens or moss; do not remove it hastily as it can cause greater damages than when you simply leave it untouched. Headstone Cleaning Guide can offer comprehensive guide on headstone cleaning. Power Washing For High Profits is a similar product on power washing or cleaning.
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how to clean headstones, tombstone cleaning tips,
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