Whether the death of a loved one is expected or sudden, having to say goodbye to someone you care about is never easy. To keep the memory of a cherished family member, you might decide to have a professional create a personalized monument or burial headstone. But with this type of stonework comes the responsibility of care and upkeep. While there’s the option to hire someone to clean your loved one’s headstone, many families choose to take the time to do it themselves. The key to a clean grave marker is to keep up with regular proper care.
You’re doing a great thing for your loved one, so there’s no need to feel overwhelmed. Here are some tips and information for cleaning granite headstones in Walterboro, SC the right way.
Materials to use
Water is the safest cleaning product to use on granite stone. Have a bucket and some distilled water or natural, pure and clean water in your granite cleaning kit to use throughout the entire cleaning process. You will also need a gentle cleaner. Along with water, the safest cleaning product you can use on granite headstones, besides an approved store-bought product, is a mild dishwashing liquid, like Dawn or Ivory. As for cleaning tools, be sure to bring a new spray bottle, a soft toothbrush, a non-metallic scrubbing brush, clean rags and small hand shears to groom overgrown grass around the marker.
Cleaning products to avoid
It’s a good plan to bring distilled bottled water instead of using water from a garden hose. Purified water will be free of minerals that can stain granite—just look at granite after it has been showered with water from the sprinkler system. Never use soaps and cleaners containing any types of oils. These should be avoided because oil can penetrate deep into the natural stone and cause discoloration. Also, do not use ammonia, vinegar, citrus or acidic cleaners or any products containing essential oils. If you want a polished finish, you may use a household glass cleaner on the headstone after all debris has been cleaned off.
Here’s a simple overview of the cleaning process:
- Step 1: Pre-wet the headstone with clean water before applying the cleaner—this layer of water prevents the cleaning solution from seeping into the granite. Be sure that the stone stays wet during the entire cleaning process.
- Step 2: In the spray bottle, combine water and a mild dishwashing liquid. Use a soft brush to gently work the solution over the surface of the stone. To prevent streak marks, start at the bottom of the headstone and work your way up toward the top of the marker.
- Step 3: Rinse with clean water, making sure the stone is rinsed completely of the cleaning solution. Let the headstone dry completely, then check it for stains or mineral deposits.
With regular care and maintenance, granite headstones in Walterboro, SC can last and appear beautiful for decades. Please don’t hesitate to contact the friendly staff at Steedley Monument Works for more information about custom stone monuments.