Cleaning Granite Gravestones

Granite is a popular material for gravestones.

Cleaning granite gravestones.

Spraying down the headstone first will help maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution. How to clean granite headstones. The most common types of headstones existing today are made of sandstone granite marble and limestone. How to clean a granite monument.

Non ionic detergents are generally recommended for cleaning granite headstones. This may be a silly question. Mix just one ounce of non ionic detergent to 5 gallons of water. It has some mold like discoloration in the lettering and some light grey green flat growths on the surface.

Is there a way to take care of both problems without discoloring or damaging the stone. Granite is one of the hardest materials and will last indefinitely however the surface is somewhat porous and can hold dirt stains and mineral deposits over a period of time. Most common gravestones are likely to be sandstone slate marble limestone or granite although there are many other possible options. Hard dark stone such as granite and cast metal markers grow surprisingly hot due to direct sunlight and or higher temperatures which can result in the rapid evaporation of the water you ll need for basic cleaning.

It is an excellent type of stone because it is abundant and comes in a variety of colours as well as crystalline textures. It also weathers slowly compared to other stones like marble and limestone which means that the engravings on the headstone can be read for. Most headstones are made up of natural stones which are comprised of salts and minerals. Regardless of what kind of stone you are cleaning the first rule is always to be as gentle as possible.

Therefore you should not try to clean a headstone marker or memorial on a very hot or very cold day. Headstones can be very porous and can soak up the cleaning solution before it has a chance to work. With periodic proper care the monument for your loved one will look new and stay clean for years.