Cleaning your loved one’s headstone or grave marker can be a wonderful way to honor them. Headstones and markers are outside all day every day and eventually, they get dirty. Sprinklers can cause water stains and dirt can make them look dingy and hard to read. You may be surprised at what a little cleaning can do. Headstones and markers should typically be cleaned once or twice a year to prevent dirt build-up. However, it’s important to know that different types of headstones and markers need to be cleaned in different ways. 

Granite

Granite is a tough stone. You can scrub it and don’t have to worry too much about damaging the surface. To clean granite, fill a bucket with clean water and gentle dishwashing soap. Then scrub with rags or a soft-bristled brush. You can use cotton swabs to clean etchings and engravings. If there are mildew or rust stains you can try a granite cleaning product specifically for this purpose. 

Marble 

You need to be more careful when cleaning marble. If there are cracks or chips on the surface, you may cause more breakage by clearing and scrubbing. Be careful trying to remove stains as marble is more porous and can be easily damaged. However, you can typically clean marble using water and a soft rag or brush. Never use pressurized water on marble and be careful with most cleaning products, including soap, as they can easily damage marble. You can also purchase marble-specific biocidal cleaning products. A commonly used (and tested one) is D/2 Biological Solution.

Bronze 

Bronze is one of the most durable materials and also one of the easiest to clean. Follow the same basic cleaning steps as above and scrub mold or mildew with a soft-bristled brush. Once the headstone is dry, you can follow up with a bronze paste wax to protect the surface. 

If all else fails or you are uncertain about cleaning your loved one’s headstone or marker, you can find a local company that can clean it for you. This can be helpful as they will have the knowledge and products that will clean and protect the monument. You can search on the internet to find someone local. However, if you still need help finding a cleaning company, talk to your funeral director or cemetery professional.