Granite is a popular choice for headstones since it comes in many colors and is readily available. Cleaning your granite headstone helps keep it looking good and lasting longer. But how do you go about it when every article you read gives differing advice? Let’s see what the experts do.
How Do You Clean A Granite Headstone?
Granite is a hard stone, so you are less likely to damage it with cleaning than you would be with marble or a softer headstone. But there are still some steps to ensure you clean it properly. Use soft brushes and cloths to keep from scratching the stone. And don’t use cleaners, vinegar, or lemon-based soaps. Instead, follow a few simple directions, and your stone will look as good as new in no time.
Granite Headstone Cleaner
While granite cleaning products are on the market, most headstone manufacturers do not recommend using harsh chemicals. Some, like Vancouver Granite in Washington State, suggest using a biodegradable cleaner. Others suggest using very mild dish soap, like Ivory.
Even though some websites suggest it, do not use vinegar, shaving cream, lemon cleaners, or other harsh chemicals on your loved one’s headstone. They may temporarily highlight the inscriptions as you clean, so you think you are doing a good thing. But actually, they cause damage to the stone over time by etching away its natural finish.
If you are determined to use a granite headstone cleaner beyond water, try a biodegradable or mild dish soap like Ivory.
Can You Use Dawn To Clean A Headstone?
Here in the US, we love our Dawn dishwashing soap! We use it for everything from clothing stain removal to car washing. But you should not use Dawn to clean a headstone. Some cleaners can eat through the smooth polished surface of your loved one’s marker. So just leave all chemicals at home and opt for using water instead.
The acidity in Dawn, vinegar and lemon cleaners eats away at the polish on the granite. So even if you think you’ve rinsed it well, the chemicals will damage the granite’s surface.
Guidelines For Cleaning Granite Headstones
When we visit a loved one’s grave, we want to see it in pristine condition. Instead, it is customary to see grass growing too close, bird droppings, or lichen growing. If you’re anything like me, the Mother Bear comes out, and I want to scour it clean! But there are some guidelines you need to follow to do no harm.
Should You Be Cleaning the Headstone?
Or should you leave it to a professional? The first question to ask yourself is if you are even the right person for the job. You can likely tackle the cleaning effectively with water and soft brushes if it’s a new granite headstone within its first year of placement.
However, if you decide to clean a great aunt’s headstone from 1904, you need to think carefully about whether you have enough knowledge to do no harm. It will likely have lichen growing on the stone, and removing it wrong can cause irreparable damage.
You want to leave the headstone in better condition than when you arrive. But sometimes, that means leaving it alone and calling a professional cleaner instead.
Clean Headstones On Cooler Days
Cleaning headstones on a cooler day, so the water doesn’t dry quickly, leaving streaks on the stone. Granite absorbs the sun’s heat and will cause your cleaning water to evaporate more quickly on hot days. There’s no point in working harder than necessary, so choose a temperate day for cleaning.
Assess The Headstone And Take A “Before” Picture
Take a close look at what needs to be done and make a mental plan for the steps you’ll take. This overview is your second opportunity to assess the headstone to determine if you are the right person for this cleaning job.
“Before” pictures help you see progress and give you a sense of accomplishment. So don’t forget to document your hard work.
Use The Proper Tools To Clean A Granite Headstone
The proper tools make all the difference when it comes to cleaning granite headstones. Most manufacturers recommend using soft bristled brushes and microfiber cloths. Even though granite is a hard stone, it can still scratch.
- Do not use a power washer or other mechanical polishing device.
- Rely on softer brushes like a Tampico brush. Yes, completing the job will take a little longer, but you can feel great knowing you did no harm. Do you notice my “do no harm” theme?
- Plastic scrapers help to remove dirt and grass from the edges of the stone.
- Bucket and water for washing and for rinsing.
- Spray bottle of water for rinsing.
- Q-Tips or a small toothbrush for cleaning inside the lettering and engraving.
- Cloths for washing, drying, and buffing.
Remove Grass, Dirt, and Debris
Carefully pull away grass that has crept onto the surface of the headstone. Use a plastic scraper to push dirt from the surface gently. Next, pour clean water onto the monument to rinse loose dirt and grime. Take care not to scratch the edges of the headstone if you use clippers on the grass.
Clean The Granite Headstone With Water
In general, it’s best only to use water, soft brushes, and microfiber cloths to clean granite headstones. For upright markers, start at the bottom and clean from bottom to top. Beginning at the bottom means that as you go up, there is less dirty water dripping down.
Use a brush to scrub off any large dirt or bird droppings. Gravesites under trees may get sap dripped on them. It’s stubborn to remove, but it does scrub off with patience. Use a lot of water to continue rinsing.
Keep the stone wet throughout the cleaning process. And just keep scrubbing with the brush and cloth. Don’t use soaps or cleaners that contain oils, as they can penetrate the stone, leaving it discolored.
Brush And Buff Lettering And Engravings
Small toothbrushes and cotton swabs (Q-Tips) work well for getting inside the intricate lettering and engravings on the headstone. Wet them with only water before brushing or rubbing them to remove dirt and stains.
Dry And Buff The Headstone
After rinsing the headstone, carefully dry it. If you did use soap, then rinse thoroughly and buff well to ensure all soap scum is removed. It would be a shame to work hard at cleaning just to leave a filmy residue behind.
Use a microfiber cloth to buff the polished surfaces of the marker. It should shine back up to its original luster. Microfiber cloths do a great job without leaving lint or particles behind.
Use Household Glass Cleaner For A Polished Finish
According to Columbarium USA, a leading manufacturer of granite columbariums throughout North America, it is okay to use household glass cleaner for a streak-free finish. Opt for a brand like Windex rather than an industrial window cleaner that would be too harsh.
Buff the window cleaner to ensure it is completely dry to the touch. The cleaner will protect the marker and help keep it clean for longer.
How To Remove Hard Water Stains From Granite Headstones
Cemeteries sprinklers are one of the biggest culprits in causing water stains on granite headstones. However, if the monument is within its first year or two of placement, you will likely be able to remove the hard water stains with just a bit of elbow grease.
Scrub the stains with your water-dampened brush to loosen debris and begin to clean around the water stains. Alternate between the scrub brush and your microfiber cloth to remove the stains, rinsing as you go.
You can also use a razor blade to gently scrape hard water stains, tree sap, or bird droppings from the headstone. Hold it at a 30-degree angle to remove stubborn stains. You may need to use a bit of pressure, but don’t scratch the stone. Mainly black and dark granites show scratches quickly.
Clean the stone each year to keep hard water stains from permanently altering the color of your headstone.
Take An After Picture To Reflect On Your Hard Work
Be sure to take an after picture of the headstone once you’ve finished cleaning. It’s sometimes hard to recognize your progress while in the middle of a project. So pictures help to see your job well done!
Conclusion
Water, Tampico brushes, and microfiber cloths are the best tools for cleaning granite headstones. In addition, a little household window cleaner will add a sparkle after you’ve scrubbed, rinsed, and dried the marker.
Here are a few things not to use when cleaning a granite headstone:
- Do not use baking soda.
- Do not use vinegar.
- Do not use Dawn dish soap or lemon cleaner.
- Do not use shaving cream.
