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Cleaning Headstones
By JJ Smith
Over a period headstones and memorials can get dirty,
one of the most common causes being hard water, which
leaves a lime scale deposit. This is especially visible
on polish granite. But by cleaning the headstone or
memorials on a regular basis will not only prolong the
life of the stone but also ensure the stone is in good
condition. A dirty one may look dull or faded, and by
following a specific process you can renew the shine.
The first stage before you start cleaning is to
determine what the headstone is made of, the most common
being granite, limestone, marble or bronze. Each
material will require a different cleaning process and
cleaning liquid or agent.
Limestone, Sandstone and Marble Headstones
These headstones are made of soft stone; therefore you
will need to be gentle when cleaning. Use water with
non-ionic soaps or detergents applied with a natural
bristled brush. Do not use a wire brush, acid cleaners
or household cleaners as this may cause permanent
damage.
Granite Headstones
Follow the guidelines as above when cleaning granite
headstones. Due to granite's durability, it is all right
to use a more aggressive scrubbing. On polished granite
calcium build-up from hard water can cause a dull faded
appearance. To remove this use a heavy duty non metallic
scouring pad, check before using it is suitable for
granite.
Bronze Headstones
As most Bronze ones usually consist of a bronze plaque
which is mounted to a base usually made of granite or
concrete and lay flat at lawn level. Therefore you may
need to apply one of the above techniques to clean the
stone surround plus also cleaning the bronze.
As bronze is furnished with a factory applied lacquer
coating to seal and preserve the original appearance,
maintenance is important as over a period of time this
finish will eventually deteriorate. Proper care will
preserve the finish and prevent the need for
restoration. |
