Cleaning Marble Memorials

In knowing how to clean a marble headstone properly you adopt the gentlest least invasive practices to preserve the longevity of the stone.

Cleaning marble memorials.

Inspect the entire headstone for cracks wear and signs of damage. Bleach is alkaline so it doesn t pose the big risk of acidic. If these are present it may be best to leave it as is. Pre wet the stone with clean water.

Cleaning granite memorial stones depending upon the amount of debris that has accumulated on the gravestone gently wash with water and a soft cloth the worst of the dirt. Soak the stone with water to saturate any growth that may be present. Headstones can be very porous and can soak up the cleaning solution before it has a chance to work. Different types will require different cleaning methods.

Spraying down the headstone first will help maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution. It is important that you know what type of stone you are dealing with. His article begins with an overview of the material s origins and historic uses before going on to focus on its durability and defects cleaning assessments the cleaning process and the application of protective surface coatings such as microcrystalline wax or limewash. If a loved one has a marble headstone this is your complete step by step guide.

Marble tombstones aren t as popular today as granite or bronze gravestones because marble is highly vulnerable to stains and damage. Nevertheless for some families marble is still the stone of choice because of its natural beauty. The most common types of headstones existing today are made of sandstone granite marble and limestone. How to clean marble headstones.

How to clean a marble headstone. The steps below will help you in cleaning gravestones as safely as possible to prevent further damage to the gravestone. Steps to clean a marble headstone. Sandstone gently clean using water with a neutral detergent use a biocide solution to help remove any organic growth.

Simply wet a soft brush in a bucket of water and gently scrub away the debris from the stone. Soak the stone by spraying it down with a hose or dumping a bucket of clean water over the entire surface. Cleaning weak marble can result in further irreparable damage. Marble needs to be treated even more gently than granite.

Marble headstones or limestone use clean water with a neutral detergent biocide solution ammonia hydroxide or household ammonia and water solution use protective wear and work in a well ventilated area. Only marble that is in good condition should be cleaned. Most headstones are made up of natural stones which are comprised of salts and minerals. This is the opposite of an all to common assumption that extreme measures given the contaminants should be used on exterior marble cleaning.

Conservator angus lawrence supplies a brief expert introduction to the cleaning of historic marble monuments. If there is growth remove using a wooden scraper.