Cleaning Old Marble Tombstones

2 clean rags or cloths for washing the headstone.

Cleaning old marble tombstones.

Use the wooden scraper to remove any algae or moss growth from the surface. 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. A newer product called wet and forget has not been thoroughly tested and this is not a product we can recommend. Leave no residue from the cleaning agent on the stone as it could cause permanent streaking.

Once the headstone is clean buff the marble dry with a dry and clean cloth. If too much cracking or damage decay is present attempting to clean it could cause further irreparable harm. Use a gentle cleaner like ivory. Sandstone slate and marble gravestones will gradually deteriorate after cleaning so they should be thoroughly cleaned every 7 10 years and no more.

As with interior marble cleaning soak the cemetery headstone with water before adding a cleaner. 217 people used more information video for how to clean old tombstones. Never use household cleaners bleach metal tools scouring pads wire brushes power tools pressure washers or nyalox brushes. General grime nicotine build up and fingerprints can usually be cleaned from unpainted marble using white spirit or a mixture of deionised purified water with up to 2 non ionic detergent added.

My usual answer is don t do it unless absolutely necessary. An undiluted cleaning agent may leave a residue in the marble s pores. 4 litres of water if the cemetery doesn t have water you can use. Marble headstones should only be cleaned if they are in decent condition.

Q tips for cleaning any inlays and engravings. Soak the stone with water to saturate any growth that may be present. Use the same method you would use for a granite stone. I love old weathered gravestones.

Mix 1 tablespoon of the non ionic soap with 1 gallon of water. For stubborn areas an equal mixture of water and white spirit with up to 2 non ionic detergent added may be useful. Cleaning gravestones posted 09 09 14 in the headstone guide people often ask me about cleaning gravestones. Cleaning more frequently can weaken the marble.

Cleaning weak marble can result in further irreparable damage.