Marble Monument Cleaning

Best way to clean a headstone.

Marble monument cleaning.

Inspect the entire headstone for cracks wear and signs of damage. Spraying down the headstone first will help maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution. If these are present it may be best to leave it as is. Soak the stone by spraying it down with a hose or dumping a bucket of clean water over the entire surface.

Headstones can be very porous and can soak up the cleaning solution before it has a chance to work. Rinse and wipe the marble headstone once all of the debris has been removed by the soapy water mixture rinse the entire surface of the marble headstone thoroughly with clean water and a clean cloth. Steps to clean a marble headstone. With a careful gentle hand and a bit of elbow grease you can refresh a headstone or grave marker making it easier to read and restoring some of the stone s beautiful finish as first created by the crafting stonemason.

You want to keep the marble wet throughout the cleaning process by continually wiping the marble headstone with a cloth and clean water. Conservator angus lawrence supplies a brief expert introduction to the cleaning of historic marble monuments. Only marble that is in good condition should be cleaned. How to clean a marble headstone.

This is the opposite of an all to common assumption that extreme measures given the contaminants should be used on exterior marble cleaning. 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. In knowing how to clean a marble headstone properly you adopt the gentlest least invasive practices to preserve the longevity of the stone. Cleaning weak marble can result in further irreparable damage.