In knowing how to clean a marble headstone properly you adopt the gentlest least invasive practices to preserve the longevity of the stone.
Marble monument cleaning.
Due to the natural ageing and weathering process you probably won t return the marble or granite to its perfect original condition however.
This is the opposite of an all to common assumption that extreme measures given the contaminants should be used on exterior marble cleaning.
Cleaning weak marble can result in further irreparable damage.
Best way to clean a headstone.
Only marble that is in good condition should be cleaned.
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.
His article begins with an overview of the material s origins and historic uses before going on to focus on its durability and defects cleaning assessments the cleaning process and the application of protective surface coatings such as microcrystalline wax or limewash.
You want to keep the marble wet throughout the cleaning process by continually wiping the marble headstone with a cloth and clean water.
Soak the stone by spraying it down with a hose or dumping a bucket of clean water over the entire surface.
How to clean a marble headstone.
How to clean marble headstones.
Spraying down the headstone first will help maximize the effectiveness of the cleaning solution.
Conservator angus lawrence supplies a brief expert introduction to the cleaning of historic marble monuments.
Headstones can be very porous and can soak up the cleaning solution before it has a chance to work.
Inspect the entire headstone for cracks wear and signs of damage.
If these are present it may be best to leave it as is.