Granite is a popular choice for headstones in Walterboro, SC because of how durable it is. The stone maintains a beautiful appearance for a long time, and is capable of withstanding the elements, especially when it’s properly maintained. This means the monument for your loved one will stay in place long into the future, giving those who visit the gravesite a permanent reminder of your loved one and the mark they left on the world.
Of course, that “properly maintained” note is important to keep in mind. Headstones placed in cemeteries are going to attract dirt and debris over the years, and you may wish to keep the headstone clean just as a means of keeping up your loved one’s gravesite.
However, you can’t use just any type of cleaning solution to clean granite surfaces. With this in mind, here’s some information about how to properly care for granite headstones in Walterboro, SC.
The steps to cleaning a granite headstone
The first thing you should do is make sure you’ve covered any ceramic photographs or bronze fixtures that might also be attached to the monument you’re about to clean, as well as the grass or flowers in the area. You can mask the ceramic and bronze bits with plastic, and place some newspapers on the plants immediately surrounding the marker so that the cleaning solution you use does not damage those fixtures or kill the grass and flowers.
Next, wet the stone with plain water before you actually begin the cleaning process. This helps prepare the surface for your mixture of 50 percent regular household bleach and 50 percent water. Using a fiber or nylon brush, begin scrubbing the stone. The material of the brush is important—you do not want to use a brush with overly harsh bristles, like metal bristles, because it could either scratch the surface of the granite or leave behind fragments that could potentially damage the granite’s surface. You can let the solution sit for about 20 or 30 minutes after you’ve applied it, then rinse off the surface with clean water.
But what if you don’t know the type of stone the monument is made of? Remember, not all stones can be cleaned with the same types of solutions.
If you are unsure about the headstone material, you can probably get that information from the cemetery management, or from the company that made the monument (if known). They will be able to recommend the best cleaning product for you. Just keep in mind that cleaning agents that are overly acidic or abrasive can easily damage glazed finishes on any headstones. There are also special cleaning products available for bronze.
Ultimately, after a certain number of years, there’s a chance the stone will need to be professionally refinished, which the cemetery management can also assist with.
For more information about the best steps for cleaning granite headstones in Walterboro, SC, we encourage you to contact the team at Steedley Monument Works today with any questions you have.