Once the mold or mildew is scraped from the granite headstone, use clean water to rinse the mold or mildew away. Plant growth can exacerbate monument deterioration. Although moulds, algae and lichens can create a patina that enhances the aged appearance of monuments, excessive colonisation can obscure inscriptions. Some growths secrete acidic deposits which in the long term may lead to deterioration of stone surfaces.

Car wash type brusheswork well for the softer end of the spectrum. Do not use old contaminated brushes from previous non gravestone cleaning projects. Typical scrub brushes are more aggressive and vary in size and exact stiffness of the bristles. Grout cleaning brushes are very effective for getting into tight spaces, such as cleaning in and around the inscriptions and carvings. Note, however, that you cannot remove a “stain” that is actually damage to the granite.If the surface of the granite has corroded, you will need a professional to repair or remove the damaged area. Water-Based Stains It is best to first test the poultice on a small piece of the marble headstone that is not in direct sight to make sure the poultice does not lift the colour of the marble or leave a darker stain. The starting point is the cemetery’s or graveyard’s own burial records and then using family history resources like census records and online family trees to look for descendants. Volunteers, especially family historians, can often help undertake research. Notices should be served on the owners via recorded delivery post and any returned ‘unknown’ letters filed. You should take the following supplies with you to the cemetery when you intend to clean marble headstones: For General CleaningLocal authorities now carry out regular inspections of their cemeteries. Usually these surveys are carried out every five years. It is now generally accepted that laying down memorials is inappropriate and councils will look at alternatives but laying down may be necessary if a memorial is unsafe. The condition survey will also help inform the cemetery’s health and safety risk assessment (see next section). If you are considering applying a seal to your loved one’s granite headstone to prevent stains from seeping into the porous stone, you must first consult a professional. Unless protected with a suitable surface treatment (often wax based), the run-off from bronzes can cause deep-seated green staining to porous stones underneath.

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. For example, you wouldn’t clean a marble headstone the same way you would clean a granite headstone. Table tombs are similar to tomb chests but these are square or round and the big slab is supported on legs or columns. To clean the stone, simply spray the solution onto the surface and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, rinse the headstone with water. Mausolea are the grandest monuments. These small buildings dedicated to an individual or family to house the dead can be elaborately decorated inside if you can get access.Mix a commercial rust remover (like Iron Out) with flour until you create a poultice.It should have the consistency of peanut butter. Headstones often have inscriptions and decorative low-relief motifs such as a cross and lilies representing death and mourning. Sometimes kerbstones (delineating the boundary of the grave) survive but often these have been lost or removed to make grass cutting easier. Simple, tall gravestones are typically made of long panels of stone set directly in the ground. Even if the headstone is tilting it doesn’t mean it is unstable, but its stability should be assessed. If the test proves successful, apply the cotton balls (i.e. the poultice) to the stain and let them rest for 48 hours. Cover the area with a piece of plastic wrap and secure it in place with tape, but leave a few ends loose so that there Another option is to actually use a wireless power drill to do the hard work for you. Be sure to choose a soft brush accessory and start on a lower setting before increasing the resolutions.

Once the headstone is clean, buff the marble dry with a dry and clean cloth. Step 4: Make and Apply a Poultice D/2 Biological Solution is specially formulated to remove environmental pollution, dirt, and staining from biological soils such as mold, mildew, lichen, and algae from indoor and outdoor structures. D/2 is the only product developed for conservators by conservators. It has been successfully used to clean millions of buildings and monuments, from the White House to Arlington Cemetery. You may have to repeat this process a few times, depending on how dirty the granite headstone is. STEP 3:Wash the Granite Headstone with Clean Water ChurchCare published guidelines about minimum requirements for conservation reports for faculty ad grant applications for churches and other church property. Risk assessments

After you have sprayed the granite with the sealant, resist the urge to wipe the sealant into the granite. Wait 15 minutes for the sealant to entirely penetrate the granite headstone. NOTE: Non-ionic water is water that has had its minerals removed. When cleaning stone, minerals can act as an abrasive and cause micro scratching. Furthermore, when mineral water dries, it leaves behind an unsightly mineral residue which is probably one of the major reasons you are cleaning the headstone in the first place. Hey there, you may be wondering why you’re reading an article about cleaning gravestones. But trust me, it’s a lot more interesting than it sounds. You see, headstones are like the tombstones of our loved ones and they deserve a little TLC every now and then. If you feel that the marble headstone requires more frequent cleaning, only use clean water to remove dirt and debris. Once again, marble is a very delicate stone and too much cleaning and excessive use of chemicals can damage it. STEP 8: Apply a Marble Polish to the Headstone

Your loved one’s granite headstone may develop rust stains over time. They usually cannot be removed by scrubbing the granite only.They’re often specially formulated for headstones, so you know you’re getting a product that’s specifically designed for the job.