What Can I Use To Clean Marble Headstone

How to clean marble headstones.

What can i use to clean marble headstone.

Steps to clean a marble headstone. Any discussion about cleaning a headstone marker or memorial must begin with a few cautions about the various things you should not do. Cleaning weak marble can result in further irreparable damage. Use the same method you would use for a granite stone.

Soak the stone with water to saturate any growth that may be present. This is the opposite of an all to common assumption that extreme measures given the contaminants should be used on exterior marble cleaning. How to clean a marble headstone. What not to do.

Only marble that is in good condition should be cleaned. Spraying down the headstone first will help maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution. Fortunately a few basic cleaning supplies and some elbow grease can dramatically improve the appearance of a cemetery tombstone headstone gravemarker or memorial. Clean limestone using the same method as the one used to clean marble.

Due to the natural ageing and weathering process you probably won t return the marble or granite to its perfect original condition however. If these are present it may be best to leave it as is. Bleach is alkaline so it doesn t pose the big risk of acidic. Cleaning gravestones with bleach is never a good idea church said but it s especially bad when you re working on porous stone.

Limestone is another popular choice for headstones. The hardest of the natural stone type of monuments that you will see in a cemetery is granite which is still widely used today granite has a hardness of between 7 and 9 and can withstand a little more cleaning than the other types of natural stone. Inspect the entire headstone for cracks wear and signs of damage. Make and apply a poultice if steps 1 to 3 fail to remove the mold and mildew stains on the marble headstone make a poultice with cotton balls hydrogen peroxide and ammonia.

In knowing how to clean a marble headstone properly you adopt the gentlest least invasive practices to preserve the longevity of the stone. Kaye wagner has been working in the fields of journalism and public relations since 2006 and is a recipient of a national hearst award. Once the headstone is clean buff the marble dry with a dry and clean cloth. Cleaning more frequently can weaken the marble.

However it still must be a very gentle cleaning. Headstones can be very porous and can soak up the cleaning solution before it has a chance to work. She is particularly interested in home and garden projects as well as beauty and fashion writing. Best way to clean a headstone.

Soak the stone by spraying it down with a hose or dumping a bucket of clean water over the entire surface.