Cleaning Your Stone
Why Clean a Stone?
Over time, headstones can accumulate dirt, grime, moss, or other contaminants that can detract from their appearance and make it difficult to read the inscriptions. Regular cleaning can restore the headstone to its original beauty. Proper maintenance can prevent long-term damage and help extend the lifespan of the memorial.
Before
After
Tools You Will Need
Lots of Water
No matter what cleaning agent you choose you will need lots of water to wet and rinse the stone.
Plastic Bucket(s)
Flat Razor Blade or Plastic Scraper
Please note that if you choose to use the razor blade you must be very careful and scrape at a 45 degree angle to avoid scratching the stone.
Soft Scrub Brush
Tooth Brush
Small Pocket Knife
Chosen Cleaner
What Not to Do
Clean a stone in extreme temperatures
Use a wire brush to clean your stone
The rough wire will damage or scratch the surface of the stone.
Use anything you wouldn’t use to clean your car
The surface of a stone is just as easily damaged as the finish on your car. So a good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if you would use this to clean your car.
Cleaning Agents
Be sure that you only use one cleaning agent on your stone at a time. Mixing chemicals can produce unexpected results.
Non-Ionic Cleaners
These cleaners have a near neutral PH balance and are less likely to damage your stone. We recommend
Dish Soap
Simple Green
Acidic or Basic Cleaners
These cleaners are a harsher on the stone and if residue is left it may cause damage to your stone over time. They should be well diluted before using on your stone. If you choose one of these cleaners you must be sure to rinse your stone thoroughly. We recommend cleaning right before it is supposed to rain in addition to thorough rinsing to ensure no residue remains. For these cleaners we recommend
Bleach
Vinegar
Biologic Cleaner
Biologic cleaners are a safe option that will continue to brighten your stone weeks after use. We recommend
D2 Cleaner.
Tips
Never Mix any of the above cleaning agents
Mix cleaner in a plastic container (Metal may transfer rust to your stone)
Use a flat razor blade at a 45 degree angle to scrape polished areas to rid them of moss or buildup
Use a small pocket knife to pick out any large bits of moss in deep carved areas. Be careful not to scratch the lithoed/painted areas.
Granite is one of the leaset porous out there, but water will still absorb into the surface. This will result in the stone to appear darker in places. Once the stone dries it will adjust back to the natural color.
Method
Brush off any debris and dirt from the memorial prior to starting. This is when you can carefully use your razor blade or plastic scraper to remove large clumps. You can also use your pocket knife to clean out large bits of moss in deep cut areas, being careful not to scrape the litho or paint.
Wet the stone completely with clean water (Rain water also works!)
Start cleaning with your solution from the bottom of the stone and work your way up to prevent streaks. Scrub small areas at a time, making sure no parts of the stone are able to dry (this may cause discoloration). Rough areas of the stone may need the solution to soak longer.
Once all areas of the stone have been cleaned, rinse with lots of clean water.
Rinse, Rinse Rinse!
Allow stone to completely dry. If you are not happy with the results, repeat cleaning steps with a different cleaning agent.
Restoration
If you don’t have time, or are worried about cleaning the stone yourself, we’ve got your back. You can hire our team to clean your memorial. If you are not worried about the paint in the stone, our team is able to power wash your memorial for you right there in the cemetery. We also preform other restoration services if a memorial is damaged or crooked.
Matzke Memorial Team Cleaning Tall Marble Monument
