How to Properly Clean and Restore a Gravestone

Gravestones exist in the outdoors where they can soon succumb to the elements. Mould, mildew and dirt can build up making the gravestone illegible which is a disservice to our loved ones. Rather than letting a gravestone get dirty, a quick cleanup or restoration can help make it look beautiful again.

If you feel the gravestone needs a little more attention than a DIY job, make sure to reach out to Stewarton Memorials for a gravestone cleaning service. We can restore gravestones to make them look as good as new.

Before gravestone restoration

Before you get started with the gravestone restoration, it’s important to ensure you have permission to do so. If the gravestone belongs to a family member or direct ancestor, it is likely okay for you to go ahead with the cleaning. However, if you are not a direct family member, it’s always best to find the family and ask for permission. This process is about showing respect to those who have passed before touching their grave.

It’s also worthwhile to check the condition for any cracks, flaking areas or crumbled appearance as you may need the help of an expert gravestone cleaning service.

Cleaning marble gravestones

To clean marble gravestones, you will need to take extra care as it is a softer stone. Follow these five steps:

1. Soak the gravestone consistently for 15 minutes.

2. Use a wooden scrape to remove any debris on the surface of the stone.

3. Apply a cleaning product liberally and leave it to soak for 10 minutes.

4. Next, use a soft brush to scrub the gravestone.

5. Thoroughly rinse the gravestone with water and dry it with a clean rag.

Cleaning granite gravestones

Granite requires care and attention too as to ensure you do not damage the engravings. To do this, use a plastic scraper, undiluted stone cleaner, a soft-bristled brush and a small grout brush or toothbrush.

1. Soak the gravestone for several minutes with water.

2. Scrape away any debris with a scraper.

3. Apply stone cleaner and let it soak for 10 minutes.

4. Using a circular motion, scrub the surface gently with a brush and rinse often.

5. For any hard-to-reach places or engravings use the grout brush and rinse away any residue.

6. Buff the stone with a clean cloth.

Restoring gravestones can be a tough job, but with the right knowledge and expertise, you can make a gravestone look beautiful. At Stewarton Memorials, we offer gravestone restoration and headstone restoration with a quality gravestone cleaning service. Get in touch with our team.