Marble Monument Cleaning

Headstones can be very porous and can soak up the cleaning solution before it has a chance to work.

Marble monument cleaning.

In knowing how to clean a marble headstone properly you adopt the gentlest least invasive practices to preserve the longevity of the stone. How to clean marble headstones. Spraying down the headstone first will help maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution. Conservator angus lawrence supplies a brief expert introduction to the cleaning of historic marble monuments.

Soak the stone with water to saturate any growth that may be present. How to clean a marble headstone. Only marble that is in good condition should be cleaned. Inspect the entire headstone for cracks wear and signs of damage.

With a careful gentle hand and a bit of elbow grease you can refresh a headstone or grave marker making it easier to read and restoring some of the stone s beautiful finish as first created by the crafting stonemason. Due to the natural ageing and weathering process you probably won t return the marble or granite to its perfect original condition however. You want to keep the marble wet throughout the cleaning process by continually wiping the marble headstone with a cloth and clean water. If these are present it may be best to leave it as is.

His article begins with an overview of the material s origins and historic uses before going on to focus on its durability and defects cleaning assessments the cleaning process and the application of protective surface coatings such as microcrystalline wax or limewash. Cleaning weak marble can result in further irreparable damage. Rinse and wipe the marble headstone once all of the debris has been removed by the soapy water mixture rinse the entire surface of the marble headstone thoroughly with clean water and a clean cloth. Soak the stone by spraying it down with a hose or dumping a bucket of clean water over the entire surface.