If the stone has stains let the solution sit on the wet stone for a few minutes longer before you remove it. Even if there are stains you shouldn’t have to use any special tools to remove the stain besides soap and water. Second, homemade cleaners are often gentler on the stone than commercial cleaners. They’re made from natural ingredients that won’t harm the stone or the environment. Of course, depending on the particular type of stone, some headstones can simply wear away over the years as a result of the weather. The lettering can fade away over time, but at the Headstone Centre, we can undertake headstone restoration for you.

Scrape the dried poultice off the granite headstone with a soft bristled brush or your hand.Then rinse the area clean with water several times. STEP 7:Buff the Granite Headstone Before you attempt to seal granite gravestones, consult a professional to see it is appropriate to do so on the type of granite the headstone is made from. Over the past decade or so there have been a number of newer products developed which will effectively remove all biological activity from stone and masonry without any risk of harming the stone itself. These types of cleaning products are known as biological cleaners. The first, and arguably best, material created in this capacity is called D2 Biological Cleaning Solution. Is has been well tested and researched by groups such as the NCPTT, National Center for Preservation Technology & Training, with very positive results. It was applied to the Washington Monument in 2013!

Before you seal the granite headstone, give the granite a good 10 to 15 minutes to make sure all moisture has evaporated from the cleaning process before moving on to the next step. STEP 4:Spray the Sealant Evenly Over the Entire Surface of the Granite Headstone For marble, bluestone or white marble and other calciferous stones, you can use chlorine. In that case you can clean the headstone with chlorine. Marble in particular can be cleaned really well with chlorine. To prepare the mixture when you are ready to clean, simply mix equal parts of white vinegar and water. Pour the solution into a spray bottle.

For more information on the longest-lasting headstone material, please read my full article on this topic here. Headstones are most often made of one of the following 4 materials; sandstone or limestone, marble, granite, or bronze all of which have distinct considerations before you put them to the soap and brush.Wring the rag or cloth a few times to remove excess water.Then wipe the granite headstone thoroughly. Any proposed clearance work should not be carried out in the bird nesting season (March to August). Contractors will be needed if you have to clear large branches and trees, and vegetation growing high up on monuments. Thought needs to be given to how the areas will be managed once they have been cleared of overgrown vegetation. Volunteers can help stop young tree and shrub seedlings growing into future problems by regularly weeding these small plants from monuments. When this happens unexpectedly, it can be distressing for the bereaved. Most cemeteries provide details of their rules, which could help an informed choice to avoid upsetting circumstances.

If the stone shows signs of chipping, scaling, flaking or other forms of deterioration, do not do any brushing or scraping as part of the cleaning process. You will do more harm then good. Apply a high quality biological cleaning solution only. Grab the top recommended D2 Biological Solution here! Another major difference regarding the application of D2with nearly all other stone cleaners, is it may be sprayed onto a dry stone surface. Within a few minutes it will go to work eating away at the biological activity. Not only can you clean a pizza stone with baking soda, but stained gravestones also respond well to this treatment.

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For best results, let the sealant do its “own thing” and soak deep into the granite. (Wiping the sealant with a cloth or paper towel prematurely absorbs the sealant into the cloth, not into the granite headstone.) STEP 6: Wipe Away Any Excess Sealant After 15 Minutes These are the steps for removing unsightly rust stains: STEP 1:Wash the Stained Area with Soapy Water Finally, we look at bronze. Bronze is not a stone but is still often used for headstones, and plaques. Bronze is extremely susceptible to discoloration. When maintained, it is golden (well bronze) in color and shines and glimmers. When left to the effects of time, it first dulls and then turns a pale green-white. If you want your bronze to shine, you will need to take steps to ensure it is ready for viewing.

To saturate the mold or mildew, pour a small amount of the hydrogen peroxide water onto the stained area. 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 Avoiding damage: When cleaning headstones, be careful not to scrub too hard or use any abrasive materials that might scratch the surface. This will ensure that there aren’t any streaks, as well as enhance the granite headstone’s finish and shine.What I can deduce is that it is not actually a cleaning product, but rather a ‘killing’ product that is able to eliminate the toughest cases of moss, algae, lichen, mold or mildew. Mix a commercial rust remover (like Iron Out) with flour until you create a poultice.It should have the consistency of peanut butter.