How to Clean a Gravestone
Gravestones are a tangible link to those who came before us – they memorialize peoples’ lives and offer a place for people to pay their respects. Furthermore, the information they record provides a wealth of historical data.
However, maintaining these commemorative spaces can be tenuous, particularly for small rural cemeteries. We often hear from folks who would like to clean up a neglected cemetery in their community. Before doing any cleaning or repairs, you should contact the association or municipality that manages the cemetery. It is also best to consult an expert before undertaking any work, especially to repair damaged stones, but there are some easy steps you can take on your own to do some basic cleaning.
Things to Keep in Mind
- Cleaning should always be done with the gentlest means possible. Even with the most careful technique, cleaning can accelerate deterioration.
- Use gentle cleaners and tools softer than the stone (more info below) – just water and a soft brush can work wonders.
- Never use power washers, metal tools, or harsh cleaners like bleach.
- Keep longevity in mind – sometimes less is more. You might not have the materials or skills to repair a cracked stone, but you can take measures to preserve it until those repairs can be made. For example, cleaning vegetation from around a fallen stone can ensure it remains visible to others maintaining and visiting the cemetery and therefore less likely to be walked or driven over.
The tenet of gravestone and monument restoration is to “do no harm.” The checklist below will help you determine whether a gravestone should be cleaned, and if so, how best to do it.
Cleaning Checklist:
- Evaluate the stone’s condition and identify your reason for cleaning the monument. Even the gentlest and most careful cleaning can cause minute deterioration, so it’s best to do as little as necessary.
- Is the stone cracked or damaged in any way? If so, it should be repaired before any cleaning is done.
- What’s the surface of the stone like? If it’s grainy or flaking, DON’T clean it. This means the surface has been compromised, likely by improper cleaning in the past. Stone is very porous and becomes fragile when the surface layer is damaged, so you should consult an expert.
- Has the information on the stone become obscured and hard to read? Removing soiling, harmful pollutants, and biological growth can help preserve the stone. Keep in mind that headstones naturally weather over time – consider how the patina they gain with age is a testament to their history. Maybe it doesn’t require as much cleaning as you thought.
- If the stone is in good condition and warrants cleaning, the first thing to do is to clear any overgrown vegetation around the stone by hand. Use a plastic trowel if necessary as it won’t damage the stone like metal could. Lawn mowers and weed whackers are the most common cause of damage to gravestones.
- Next, clean the stone with water and a soft brush (natural or synthetic bristles) before using any cleaners – you’ll be amazed at how effective this is! NEVER use a power washer. A handheld sprayer will help you quickly and lightly soak the stone, washing away soil and softening moss and lichen. In addition to brushes, you can use wooden skewers or popsicle sticks to clean out carvings without damaging the stone.
- If water is not enough to remove stubborn mold, lichen, and moss, spray the stone with D/2 Biological Solution. This biodegradable, non-toxic cleaner has a neutral pH and contains no harsh substances like bleach, salt, solvents, or acids. It works to kill biological growth on the stone while being gentle enough to not harm the surrounding plants or wildlife.
- Always test the cleaner on a small section before using on the entire stone.
- Soak the stone with water before applying. Stone is very porous, so wetting it first allows the cleaner to stay on the surface, minimizing its impact on the stone and maximizing its effects.
- You don’t necessarily need to scrub after applying the cleaner! It will begin attacking the biological growth, with visible results as soon as days or weeks. If you do want to scrub the stone after applying the cleaner, use soft brushes and rinse as you go. Even if you scrub and rinse the headstone, some of the biocide will remain and continue to brighten the stone over the following days and weeks.
As you can see, proper gravestone cleaning is quite simple! Always remember to use the gentlest means possible and consult an expert if you have any questions.
Additional Resources
- The National Park Service also has a handy guide on Cleaning Grave Markers, which includes some helpful videos.
- If you would like to organize a gravestone restoration workshop for your group, contact Kurt Riegel of Riegel Restoration to learn more about the training he offers.
- Learn more about how to use D/2 Biological Solution here.
