The go-to way to clean headstones is with non-ionic soap, like D/2 Biological Solution. This soap effectively removes stains from mold, algae, and mildew and only takes about 15 minutes to work. Avoiding damage: When cleaning headstones, be careful not to scrub too hard or use any abrasive materials that might scratch the surface. A less common way to clean a headstone is to use snails. Snails eat the organic material that grows on headstones, including lichen, fungus, algae, and mold. To do this follow these steps: Now that we understand the basics of grave markers and the factors that affect their cleaning, let’s talk about the ingredients you can use to make your own headstone cleaner. Don’t try to clean a wobbly headstone. There is a possibility that a headstone will fall over if it is wobbly before cleaning.

D/2 Biological Solution is a biodegradable cleaner that is pH neutral and free of salts, bleach, and acids. This product is specifically designed to remove environmental pollutants, dirt, and stains from indoor and outdoor surfaces caused by mold, mildew, lichen, and algae. D/2 is applied by using a brush, roller, or pump sprayer to the stone. Heavy deposits of D/2 can be diluted with potable water from 1:1 to 1:4 parts water by volume. What Is The Best Thing To Use To Clean A Headstone? Granite. It’s essential to keep granite wet when you’re cleaning, which can be difficult to accomplish in warmer weather when evaporation levels soar. Granite also streaks easily, so be sure to clean from bottom to top. Now that you know what not to do, let’s discuss the best ways to safely and effectively clean a headstone. Materials You’ll Need for Cleaning a Headstone Never use scrapers or steel wool on damaged areas of tombstones, or they may chip and flake even further, leaving the stone susceptible to more future damage.

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Granite headstones are safe to clean every 18 months, while bronze markers can be washed more frequently, around every three months. Homemade Headstone Cleaner Cleaning a headstone yourself is best done with HG headstone cleaner. You can use other products too. But be sure you know what you're doing. Some common DIY products can actually damage natural stone. We have some tips for the best way to clean marble gravestones. You use these tips at your own risk.

On top of all the recommended cleaning steps above, there are some other bits of knowledge you may want to consider. Headstones shouldn’t be cleaned more than once a year

What Is D2 Cleaning Solution?

After waiting for 10 to 15 minutes, gently scrub the surface of the headstone using a soft bristle brush. Do this in a circular motion. To prepare the solution when you are ready to clean, simply mix a drop of dish soap with a cup of water. Stir until the dish soap has dissolved. The result should be a stone that’s free of stains. And the great part? Lemon juice is completely safe and won’t damage the stone either. Precautions When You Clean Headstones

You might be wondering why you would choose a homemade stone cleaner over a commercial cleaning solution. Well, there are a few reasons why a DIY cleaning product might be the way to go on your marble or granite stone. First of all, homemade tombstone cleaners are often cheaper than commercial cleaners. You probably already have most of the ingredients (like soapy water) in your home, and if you don’t, they’re easy to find at your local store. Once the debris is gone, rinse the stone well with water. Keep the whole stone wet during the entire process. It’s best for the stone to be continually moist, even if you only use a basic spray bottle and keep misting it. Step 5: Gentle brushing or scraping. No scrubbing! Fortunately Halo has been developed taking into account each of the above factors so that you can be certain that you are using the right product containing the safest materials to give the optimum results. Before applying the cleaner, you must first soak the headstone liberally with water. Stone is porous so it will easily absorb the cleaner. By soaking it first, the cleaner will not penetrate the headstone and just remain on the surface.

But How Do You Identify The Type Of Stone You Have?

Sometimes you need some extra oomph. If the organic growth on the headstone is stubborn, try D2 Biological Cleaning Solution. There may be similar cleaners available, but D2 is well-tested, researched, and recommended by the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. Step 7: Rinse and gather In areas with an extremely hot climate, abrupt changes in temperature can eventually damage a stone even as hard as granite. Consider an area in the southwest with dry, hot temperatures. If a cemetery waters their grounds with cold water, it could fall on the headstones. If the cold water exposure is lengthy enough to lower the stone’s temperature, the stone can get damaged. This is because heat can make it expand, and cold can make it contract. The Bottom Line: To Clean or Not to Clean? Unfortunately, there are some well-meaning people out there who don’t know how to clean a headstone and may damage it in the process. Let’s help you avoid that outcome. Headstone Cleaning Rules The great thing about a homemade headstone cleaner is that you probably already have most of the ingredients in your home. Here are some of the most common household ingredients that you can use for headstone cleaning:

Another important factor is to determine the type of soiling on the surface of the headstone so that the most effective cleaning solution can be used. Leave the bleach and household cleaners at home. They can stain the stone, eat away at its protective coating, or otherwise damage the monument. Don’t use natural, organic or biodegradable products, either Although cleaning a headstone is not a difficult task, it necessitates preparation. It is critical to read product instructions thoroughly before cleaning any headstone. After all of the necessary supplies have been gathered, wetting the stone with distilled water or clean water should be attempted. By gently rubbing the soap solution into the crevices, the stone will be thoroughly coated. Allow the stone to sit in the water for a few minutes before rinsing it with fresh water. If you need to polish the stone, follow the instructions provided with the product. The Best Way To Clean A Granite Headstone

What Is D2 Used To Clean Gravestones?

Non-ionic detergents should be used for granite headstone cleaning. For every 5 gallons of water, combine one ounce of non-ionic detergent and one ounce of white vinegar. It is best to apply the cleaning solution with a brush. Always test the solution to ensure the best results after it has dried. Can a headstone be cleaned with vinegar and water? Avoid using ammonia, vinegar, or lemon cleaners because the acid components will eat away at the surface of the granite. Next, soak a clean cloth in soapy water for several minutes to remove any excess water. Finally, clean the granite grave monument thoroughly. Is there any way to clean gravestones using Dawn? It is safe to clean any type of headstone with a gentle cleanser, such as DAWN dish soap and a large amount of water. Homemade Headstone Cleaner