Things You'll Need:

Clean Water

Bucket

Solvol Sand soap

Clean Soft Towel (Old)

Soft Bristled Brush

Sponge

We've taken our time to put together a step-by-step guide on how to clean a granite headstone. This guide hopefully will better inform you on what to and not to do when it comes to cleaning a granite memorial. This will help you clean your loved ones memorial with confidence. This guide is for granite memorials only and should not be used to clean marble headstones because marble is a very soft stone.

If you only need to clean off a few bird droppings or the water marks left by a decaying leaf or flower take a bucket of water and a wet sponge using the wet sponge rub the areas that need cleaning. If using the sponge doesn't work wet the areas you wish to clean and using sand soap lightly scrub the areas you wish to clean. Make sure you rinse the soap residue off, wipe it with a dry towel and it should look at good as new. If the inscription is gold and there is debris in the inscription that you wish to clean do not rub it. Using a wet sponge dab the area that needs cleaning. Keep dabbing with a sponge or soft cloth soaked in fresh water until clean. Never Rub Gold Lettering! 

Instructions:

1. Determine the composition of the stone, if you're not sure. This article deals specifically with granite, being the hardest and most commonly used materials for headstones it can stand a bit more of an aggressive approach to cleaning. Granite comes in many colours our stone samples page may help in working out if your memorial is granite. If your memorial is a white stone and dates pre 1930's it most likely will be marble.

2. Inspect the stone for any damage, cracks, or flaking. Stones with damaged areas should be washed with care to avoid further damage. Be aware that too much cleaning can remove the polished finish of a stone you should only clean a granite memorial when it is needed.

3. Thoroughly wet the stone to start softening any materials on the stone using a soft brush and a bucket of water. If the stone has rocked surfaces with Lichen or moss add bleach or ammonia to your water this will kill the Lichen and Moss, also be aware this can kill the grass around the base of the memorial. If you are cleaning off Lichen and Moss give it 10-15mins before starting the next step.

4. Start cleaning the polished areas with the flat face of your solve soap block use plenty of water to keep it moving easy after the surface is clean, rinse off all the soap suds so that there are no soapy bubbles on the stone. Now clean off the Lichen or Moss on the rocked areas with a scrubbing brush using plenty of water

5. Avoid any abrasive cleansers that can scratch the stone. Make sure you clean off any cleaners that you use, as many cleaners leave behind stone eroding chemicals that will speed the deterioration of the stone. Stay away from metal wire brushes.

6. Once you feel it is clean give it a wipe dry with a towel and wipe off any soap that may be left on the stone. If there are still spots you've missed give them a spot clean.