Preferred method for cleaning tombstones?

[kepi]

Is there a preferred method for cleaning tombstones? I don't want to use any harmful solvents or damage the stone.

I have located my great-great grandfather's grave, and I plan to visit it this April when the weather warms up. While I'm there, I want to do any maintenance that may be required, so I'm making a list of materials to carry with me.

Can anyone offer advice?

 

[MRB1863]

I'm not an expert on stones, but...here's my two cents...I would recommend no chemicals be used as they may spall the finish if the stone had been polished. Maybe the safest cleaning is water and a soft scrub brush...in which event, a bucket, container of water and the brush should do it. Kudos to you for having the respect to visit GGGrandfather's grave and care enough to spruce it up!!!

 

[Allie]

What I'm seeing suggests just water and a soft natural or nylon brush. Anything else can do more damage.

http://www.ctgravestones.com/Conservation/examples_clean.htm

With respect, it often makes me a little sad when I see old stones cleaned up. Often the cleaning clears away moss and growth nearby leaving a barren spot, and all the patina the stone had accumulated from age is taken off. It may look "neater" but it doesn't always look nicer. Obviously you want to do what maintenance is necessary to keep the stone from disappearing or being harmed, but it's possible to go overboard.

 

[MRB1863]

...an afterthought...if the finish is chipped, cracked or loosened...I would leave it alone. To clean it may cause further erosion and damage.

 

[mikekj]

Use only non-metal, soft bristled brushes. Mild dish detergent.

I am a Cemetery Commissioner for the county that I live in.

We are going to try a new product called Wet and Forget, but have no report on it yet. www.wetandforget.com.

 

[AndyHall]

I have a set of guidelines that I'll send you. The gist of it is, not to use any chemicals or solvents, and use only soft brushes. No abrasives. Headstones made of some types of stone, including marble, are relatively soft, and anything that "cleans" them is really just tearing away the outer surface of the stone.

 

[Patrick H]

This will not be a very helpful reply. I wanted to clean some old family headstones and was so uncertain of how to do it, and so fearful of damaging the stones that I finally hired a monument company to do it for me. I am pretty sure the guy just used a soft brush and clean water, as has been pointed out. He did an excellent job. Just posting this to point out the need for caution and a conservative approach.

 

[Allie]

Use only non-metal, soft bristled brushes. Mild dish detergent.

I am a Cemetery Commissioner for the county that I live in.

We are going to try a new product called Wet and Forget, but have no report on it yet. www.wetandforget.com.

Isn't that ammonium chloride? It seems potentially a lot more destructive than they admit to. Neutral ph doesn't mean inert.

 

[AndyHall]

I'd be concerned about that stuff. The "Indoor" and "Shower" variants of that product say "not recommended for use on natural marble."

 

[kepi]

What I'm seeing suggests just water and a soft natural or nylon brush. Anything else can do more damage.

http://www.ctgravestones.com/Conservation/examples_clean.htm

With respect, it often makes me a little sad when I see old stones cleaned up. Often the cleaning clears away moss and growth nearby leaving a barren spot, and all the patina the stone had accumulated from age is taken off. It may look "neater" but it doesn't always look nicer. Obviously you want to do what maintenance is necessary to keep the stone from disappearing or being harmed, but it's possible to go overboard.

I only intend to clean away anything that may obstruct the writing on the stone like large lichen or patches of moss should there be any. I'm honestly more concerned about cracking or the stone falling over. I'll have to consult a professional for that.

 

[kepi]

I have a set of guidelines that I'll send you. The gist of it is, not to use any chemicals or solvents, and use only soft brushes. No abrasives. Headstones made of some types of stone, including marble, are relatively soft, and anything that "cleans" them is really just tearing away the outer surface of the stone.

Thank you, Andy.

 

[chaughey001]

I use a can of compered air first the gentlest cleaning agent there is. Then after a light dusting off , I make a rubbing.

Then I use warm water NOT HOT If there are a lot if cracks and extreme hot water gets in it can make those cracks worse.
Then I towel off any loose dirt the water took of . Then I use the softest toothbrush and I very carefully scrub carefully.
I like toothbrushes for several reasons its easier to get into small places and that little rubber tip is good for getting stuck on dirt off.Then I rinse again. Let dry and take another rubbing why 2 ? Easy to see what details you may have missed or come up from the cleaning , Never metal. If the stone is really old remember he's entailed to a free one (replacement) I know
people that take the old ones home. Good Luck and try to remember to post pictures .

 

[John Winn]

Just saw this so don't know if anybody is still looking.

I have a lot of experience cleaning stones as I volunteer at a historic cemetery and have been trained by a professional.

First off, you need to be the owner of the stone or otherwise have legal access (such as being a family member) and permission from the cemetery. If it's a private cemetery they can make any rules they want and you need to know them. Public cemeteries are usually covered by local law. If you do not own the stone you could find yourself in big trouble if you just go at it.

That said, what has been said about, generally, not using anything but water and a soft brush is a good general rule. You need to also examine the stone carefully to make sure it is stable on its base so you won't knock it over, does not have serious cracks, is not of a very soft stone that is chipping, and is not something delicate like slate. If it is stable, generally sound, and not slate or crumbling, you can proceed with care.

First off, you only want to work on a stone in the warm months and, if possible, when the sun is not directly shining on it. You will also need lots of water as you'll want to soak anything that is to be removed to soften it.

We use a soft rubber putty spreader, wooden popsickle sticks, and wood cuticle sticks to remove bulk lichen and moss. The cuticle sticks are good for getting into lettering. An old toothbrush is also good for getting into tight areas.

You should not use any type of cleaning solution, soap, shaving cream, anything abrasive, or pressure sprayers.

Pros (us included) use a product called D/2 which is especially formulated for cleaning stone and also kills moss and lichen. It's been used on many national monuments and the White House. You can buy it online. It's really expensive but a little goes a long way and we generally dilute it 50% with water. Follow the directions. Generally, you spray some on, wait five or ten minutes, use your soft brush to scrub, and then rinse with lots of water. You might have to do this several times if the stone is really dirty. If a little stays on that's OK as it will continue to work for some time.

Start from the bottom of the stone and work your way up. That minimizes streaking. I generally work in eight- to ten-inch bands (depends on the size of the stone).

While moss is beautiful, it will harm stones in time as it grows rootlets into the stone and weakens it and also retains water which, if it freezes in winter, will damage the stone in weak areas such as carvings and the edges of lettering. Lichen and moss also damage stone by actually using the minerals that compose the stone. Other biological agents can stain the stone such that it is unreadable. So removing such will help preserve a stone.

I hope that's helpful.

Just make sure you have legal standing and permission and proceed carefully.

 

[EJ Zander]

Maybe I missed it but what type of stone?

 

[EJ Zander]

Try this
www.gravestonepreservation.info/articles/cleaning-gravestones-monuments-stone-sculptures

 

[EJ Zander]

Many of the slate and red stone gravestones around here still hold an edge like the day they were cut even though they are 150+ years old. Can still see the faint cutter's/ carver's guide line, pretty cool. Cant hardly read some of the marble ones which are much newer, shame.

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

Just saw this so don't know if anybody is still looking.

I have a lot of experience cleaning stones as I volunteer at a historic cemetery and have been trained by a professional.

First off, you need to be the owner of the stone or otherwise have legal access (such as being a family member) and permission from the cemetery. If it's a private cemetery they can make any rules they want and you need to know them. Public cemeteries are usually covered by local law. If you do not own the stone you could find yourself in big trouble if you just go at it.

That said, what has been said about, generally, not using anything but water and a soft brush is a good general rule. You need to also examine the stone carefully to make sure it is stable on its base so you won't knock it over, does not have serious cracks, is not of a very soft stone that is chipping, and is not something delicate like slate. If it is stable, generally sound, and not slate or crumbling, you can proceed with care.

First off, you only want to work on a stone in the warm months and, if possible, when the sun is not directly shining on it. You will also need lots of water as you'll want to soak anything that is to be removed to soften it.

We use a soft rubber putty spreader, wooden popsickle sticks, and wood cuticle sticks to remove bulk lichen and moss. The cuticle sticks are good for getting into lettering. An old toothbrush is also good for getting into tight areas.

You should not use any type of cleaning solution, soap, shaving cream, anything abrasive, or pressure sprayers.

Pros (us included) use a product called D/2 which is especially formulated for cleaning stone and also kills moss and lichen. It's been used on many national monuments and the White House. You can buy it online. It's really expensive but a little goes a long way and we generally dilute it 50% with water. Follow the directions. Generally, you spray some on, wait five or ten minutes, use your soft brush to scrub, and then rinse with lots of water. You might have to do this several times if the stone is really dirty. If a little stays on that's OK as it will continue to work for some time.

Start from the bottom of the stone and work your way up. That minimizes streaking. I generally work in eight- to ten-inch bands (depends on the size of the stone).

While moss is beautiful, it will harm stones in time as it grows rootlets into the stone and weakens it and also retains water which, if it freezes in winter, will damage the stone in weak areas such as carvings and the edges of lettering. Lichen and moss also damage stone by actually using the minerals that compose the stone. Other biological agents can stain the stone such that it is unreadable. So removing such will help preserve a stone.

I hope that's helpful.

Just make sure you have legal standing and permission and proceed carefully.

Thanks John, that's some great advice.