5 Tips To Properly Clean And Maintain Marble Headstones
Marble headstones are a beautiful addition to any cemetery or mausoleum. They’re long-lasting and have great aesthetic value. However, they require care and maintenance to ensure they last for many years.
If you want to purchase marble headstones from a stonemasonry company, good options are stones from Olympia Marble or other great stonemasonry companies close to you. Further, it’s crucial to know how to maintain them.
Luckily, this post will teach you how to clean marble headstones and maintain them without being compromised by dirt or damage. Keep on reading to learn more.
Employ Power Washing
Power washing is a great way to keep your marble headstone looking clean, but it’s essential to choose the proper power washer for the job. A low-pressure setting is essential to avoid scratching or etching the stone. In addition, you should use a non-abrasive nozzle and high-quality detergent that won’t damage the stone.
Make sure that your equipment is up-to-date with new hoses and filters on hand, so you don’t risk damaging any part of your home’s plumbing system or drain lines while cleaning off dirt from your headstones.
Use A Steamer
Using a steamer is also a great way to remove dirt and grime from your headstone. The steam can help loosen the stain and make it easier to clean. You can use it on the headstone itself, as well as in between the stone’s inscription. Be sure you don’t get too close to any writing or engraving while using this method, though, as you don’t want to damage anything.
Steamers are also helpful for removing algae or mould that may have taken hold over time due to weather conditions or poor care practices. If there’s an area where these types of growths are present, take some white vinegar into a spray bottle and dampen that area thoroughly before applying steam directly onto them until they begin disappearing entirely from sight under layers of sopping wetness (this process may take several minutes).
Select The Proper Soft Brush For The Job
Which brush you use will depend on the type of surface you’re working with. For example, if you’re cleaning a marble headstone that has a polished finish, it’s best to use a soft brush. If the headstone has been dyed or sandblasted and waxed, then an abrasive pad would be better.
If the headstone has lichen growing on it (a greenish discoloration), then use a soft brush and soap or detergent to remove it. Make sure that your soap or detergent is non-abrasive. Otherwise, your efforts will end up causing damage to the stone you may have planned to use for a funeral ceremony instead of removing anything from it.
Utilize Sandpaper Or Steel Wool
Use sandpaper or steel wool to remove dirt and grime. Start by gently rubbing the surface with your fingertips to determine if you need to use a more abrasive material. If the situation calls for it, select sandpaper with 100-200 grit or medium-grade steel wool. Use light pressure as you rub small circles all over the headstone’s surface, following its natural contours.
As you work, use a soft brush to remove dust from the surface of your marble headstone. After cleaning with sandpaper or steel wool, use a soft cloth to wipe away any remaining dirt on your marble headstone’s surface using an up-and-down motion.
Use Baking Soda
Marble headstones are beautiful and long-lasting, but they can be challenging to clean. Baking soda effectively removes stains and odours from marble – helping keep your marble headstone looking its best. Baking soda is a great tool to have in your cleaning arsenal.
When you choose baking soda, you should know it’s non-abrasive, meaning it won’t scratch or damage marble headstones. More so, it’s very versatile: you can use it to clean, polish and deodorize almost any surface in your home.
Here are some tips on how to use baking soda to clean marble headstones:
Mix the baking soda with water until it forms a paste. A ratio of 1 tablespoon of baking soda per cup of water is typically enough.
Apply the paste to the headstone using your sponge, then let it sit for 10 minutes before scrubbing it off using circular motions. Rinse with clean water once you’re done scrubbing to remove any residue left behind by the baking soda paste.
Conclusion
It’s important to note that marble is a very durable material. Nonetheless, you should still take the necessary steps to ensure that your headstone will last for years by cleaning and maintaining it. If you follow the tips mentioned above, then your marble headstone will most likely remain in pristine condition for longer periods.
