What Can I Use To Clean A Granite Headstone

This may be a silly question.

What can i use to clean a granite headstone.

Mix just one ounce of non ionic detergent to 5 gallons of water. Repeat this process approximately every 18 months. It has some mold like discoloration in the lettering and some light grey green flat growths on the surface. Do not use normal household cleaners soaps and detergents ivory formula 409 bleach tsp laundry detergents dish detergents etc to clean headstones.

Is there a way to take care of both problems without discoloring or damaging the stone. Clean limestone using the same method as the one used to clean marble. It s a beautiful stone is harder than marble and makes for long lasting memorials. Granite is a frequent choice for headstones.

A clean cloth diaper or a clean. Pressure washers can be used to clean granite headstones but use caution around the carved areas. Non ionic detergents are generally recommended for cleaning granite headstones. When you finish washing the granite headstone use a clean white cloth to dry the headstone immediately.

With periodic proper care the monument for your loved one will look new and stay clean for years. Granite headstones can last looking good for many years depending on the water used at your cemetery. How to clean a granite monument. Also avoid acids such as muriatic acid or phosphoric acid as they can damage the surface.

Headstones can be very porous and can soak up the cleaning solution before it has a chance to work. Therefore you should not try to clean a headstone marker or memorial on a very hot or very cold day. Granite is one of the hardest materials and will last indefinitely however the surface is somewhat porous and can hold dirt stains and mineral deposits over a period of time. For bronze markers there are special cleaning kits available from monument supply companies.

Hard dark stone such as granite and cast metal markers grow surprisingly hot due to direct sunlight and or higher temperatures which can result in the rapid evaporation of the water you ll need for basic cleaning. Use the same method you would use for a granite stone. Over time headstones accumulate lichens moss bird droppings or calcium deposits from hard water usually from the cemetery s lawn watering system. Make sure to use a cloth that has no excess fibres that could become loose and be left behind on the granite headstone e g.

Spraying down the headstone first will help maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution. How can i prevent it from coming back. My parents gravestone is a light grey granite. Limestone is another popular choice for headstones.

Any abrasive or acidic cleaning agents can easily damage headstones with a glazed finish. For more information on cleaning your granite marker or headstone contact american headstones company at 949 228 7055.