If you’ve chosen a gravestone for someone who’s passed, you might be wondering how to keep it clean and in good condition. All gravestones are different and can need different types of care. Here you can find everything you need to know, from how to clean different types of stone to headstone maintenance services that specialise in taking care of the grave for you.
Do you need permission to clean a gravestone?
You should be fine to clean a gravestone if it’s the grave of a family member or direct ancestor. If not, it’s generally recommended that you contact the close family for permission before getting started.
How to clean a gravestone
If the stone is in good condition and you’re able to visit the grave regularly, cleaning shouldn’t take too much work. Take some time to clear away fallen leaves and gently wipe the stone down with water and a soft sponge. If the gravestone hasn’t been cleaned regularly, you may find that it has a build-up of lichen or moss, has become discoloured or may need a deeper clean in general. Our advice below can help with this. Keep in mind that it’s recommended you only carry out deep headstone cleaning once every 7-10 years, as more frequent cleaning with products can cause deterioration and damage the stone.
Check the condition of the gravestone
The first step you should take before cleaning any headstone is to check its condition. These stones are exposed to the natural elements all year round, so they become weathered over time. If the gravestone is loose in the ground, is tilted, has cracks or is crumbling in areas, it’s best to consider professional restoration and cleaning. Attempting to clean this type of stone yourself could cause damage. You might even injure yourself, so it’s better to be safe.
What type of stone has been used?
If the stone is in good condition, you should then find out what stone it’s made from. Different types of stone should be cleaned in different ways, so it’s important to know what you’re working with. 3 of the most used types of stone are marble, slate and granite.
How to clean a marble headstone
Marble is a soft stone, which means you have to be careful when cleaning it. You’ll need:
- Clean water
- Wooden scraper
- A soft sponge
- Marble cleaning solution
- Gloves
- Patch test your chosen cleaning solution on a small, less visible patch of the stone to make sure that it’s suitable
- Soak the headstone with water (you can use a hose or a bucket for this)
- Use a wooden scraper to gently remove surface dirt, lichen or moss
- Spray the stone with cleaning fluid specially designed for use on marble. This can usually be bought in supermarkets or online. Follow the instructions on the packaging and wear gloves to protect your skin
- Wipe down the stone using a soft sponge until dirt lifts away
- Rinse the stone thoroughly, making sure that all the cleaning solution has been washed away.
How to clean a slate headstone
Slate is stronger than marble, but not as strong as granite. It’s also prone to flaking. To clean a slate headstone, you’ll need:
- Clean water
- A microfiber cloth
- A soft sponge
- Slate cleaning solution
- Gloves
- Patch test your chosen cleaning solution on a small, less visible patch of the stone before you start to check it’s suitable
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the stone. Slate is prone to gathering dust and debris and the cloth will trap surface debris
- Soak the stone with clean water using a hose or bucket. Leave the stone to soak for a while, pouring more water over it at intervals. Slate is prone to flaking, so you want to avoid scrubbing or scraping at it to remove lichen or moss. Instead, soaking the stone can help to soften and loosen stubborn dirt and vegetation
- Spray the stone with a slate cleaning solution. This’ll usually be a non-ionic detergent and can be purchased at garden centres or online. Follow the instructions on the packaging and wear gloves
- Use a soft sponge to gently wipe dirt and vegetation from the stone
- Rinse the stone with clean water, making sure that all cleaning solution is washed off.
How to clean a granite headstone
- Clean water
- A soft bristle brush
- Granite cleaning solution
- Gloves
- Patch test your chosen cleaning solution on a small, less visible patch of the stone before you start to check it’s suitable
- Soak the headstone using clean water
- Spray the headstone with a cleaning solution designed for use on granite. Like slate, this’ll usually be a non-ionic detergent. It can usually available in supermarkets or online. Follow the instructions on the packaging and wear gloves
- Use a soft bristle brush to scrub away any build-up of dirt or vegetation
- Rinse the stone with more clean water to remove all the cleaning solution.
How much does it cost to have a gravestone cleaned?
If you’re unable to clean a gravestone yourself, or can’t clean it as regularly as you’d like, you can consider using a professional headstone maintenance service. Prices will vary depending on where you are and how much work you need done. Costs tend to start from around £100 to clean a headstone and base, with additional services like trimming grass, replacing stone chippings and removing stubborn stains costing extra.
Please note that all information we’ve shared aligns with general recommendations on how to clean headstones and memorials. Funeral Choice don’t take any responsibility for any damage caused by following the above advice. If in doubt, contact a headstone maintenance service for advice tailored to your specific headstone or memorial.
Image by Delia Giandeini on Unsplash.
