Take precautions before cleaning a headstone.
Marble tombstone cleaning.
Soak the stone by spraying it down with a hose or dumping a bucket of clean water over the entire surface.
This is the opposite of an all to common assumption that extreme measures given the contaminants should be used on exterior marble cleaning.
For marble use the cleaning steps below.
If there is growth remove using a wooden scraper.
Spraying down the headstone first will help maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution.
Ivory or orvus natural bristled brushes.
Different types will require different cleaning methods.
If there is evidence of any of the following do not proceed with cleaning.
Only marble that is in good condition should be cleaned.
Headstones can be very porous and can soak up the cleaning solution before it has a chance to work.
Pre wet the stone with clean water.
Steps to clean a marble headstone.
Before you attempt to clean a headstone you must first check its condition.
Fractures anywhere on the stone.
Marble needs to be treated even more gently than granite.
How to clean marble headstones.
The stone or lettering has any evidence of flaking or parts of the stone falling away.
Clean a marble gravestone.
It is important that you know what type of stone you are dealing with.
Any stability issues whatsoever.
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.
How to clean a marble headstone.
You want to keep the marble wet throughout the cleaning process by continually wiping the marble headstone with a cloth and clean water.