Help needed - Cleaning a Gravestone

allysat

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone had tried to clean a gravestone? I 'm looking to clean a pale one of some green stuff, could be algae.

Is this another job for stardrops???

thanks

nearlyrich

My Dad's gravestone is shiney black granite, we just pour water on it and brush it with a handbrush, usually dry it off with a microfibre cloth.

I should think stardrops might help on a pale stone, I can't see it doing any damage, the hardest bit is getting enough hot water on site. It might be worth a call to the monumental masons who supplied the stone?

Hope you get it cleaned up.

lil_me

If it's Marble I found this

Household bleaches often contain sulphates and may cause exfoliation of the surface as these salts dry out and recrystallize in the surface pore structure.
Bleaches can also produce light brown staining after a period of time.
Try:
First, using clean water, dampen the entire stone gently without disturbing the dirt.
Once the stone has been saturated, use plenty of clean water and scrub the surface lightly and carefully with a natural bristle brush just hard enough to lift the surface soiling.
Cover the stone with a paper poultice and allow to dry completely, this will ensure that dissolved particles are deposited in the paper and not returned the surface of the stone.
Wash well with clean water.

I think it all depends what it's made from as to what is suitable. Neighbours son makes them with granite, marble etc if I see him I'll ask him.

tr3mor

allysat wrote:

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone had tried to clean a gravestone? I 'm looking to clean a pale one of some green stuff, could be algae.

Is this another job for stardrops???

thanks

Is it a shiny marble-like surface or a matt textured stone one?

[Deleted User]

[

, <<<the hardest bit is getting enough hot water on site.>>>

couple of thermos flasks filled with boiling water,and a small plastic bowl with a dash of Jeyes fluid and a fairly stiff nail brush does the trick on my late Mum's stone

MATH

I would use a mild detergent (stardrops or fairy liquid), water and a fairy stiff bristtle brush to get in all the nooks and crannies (if it's carved). I find this removes most things. I don't use warm water just the watering cans and cold water provided at the cemetery. If it's smooth granit or marble an old towel buffs things up a treat afterwards. HTH

agentsquirrel_2

my husband used to work with stonemason and cleaned gravestones as part of the job. the trick is to use the cheapest bleach u can buy and hot water. (did u know the cheaper the bleach the better it works because the 'thick' bleaches have less power due to the agents used to thicken it) then scrub with a handbrush. this usually works on the sandstone gravestones, granite is best done with warm soapy water and marble can be tricky because it does stain with strong dyes in detergents. hope this helps.