Tips on Cleaning Gravestones
Collette Monuments can not be responsible for any damage you do to your monument, these are just helpful guidelines.
We will professionally clean your Monument just give us a call and we can set something up for you.
1-800-244-2118.
Keep in mind that Granite and Marble are very porous and will absorb any solution you put on it, and could easily leave a stain!
We recommend water only.
Procedures to Avoid
~ Avoid acid cleaners on Marble or Limestone
~ Avoid sandblasting gravestones
~ Do not attempt to clean any stone that is unstable
~ Do not attempt to clean stones without first receiving proper direction
~ Never use wire brushes or any metal instrument in cleaning stone
~ Do not substitute household cleaners for those listed here
~ Do not clean stones often. Even the most carefully cleaned stone loses stone particles with each cleaning. Do not plan to clean stones more often than once every several years, or longer.
~ Avoid treating stones with protective coating that are impermeable to water vapor. Such coatings can actually be very harmful to stones in years to come, and others are ineffective.
Tools for Stone Cleaning
~ Plastic pails
~ Goggles
~ Rubber Gloves
~ Tampico (natural bristle) or plastic scrub brushes
~ Q-tips
~ Spray bottles
~ Water source
Recommended Cleaning Solutions
(Listed in order of increasing strength)
Note: Always use the weakest cleaning agent that cleans stone effectively. Do not increase recommended strength of a given solution. Use only those solutions recommended for the type of stone being cleaned.
Marble and Limestone
~ Water Only
~ Non-ionic detergent, such as Photo-Flo (available from photographic supply houses), and water. Use 1 ounce to 5 gallons of water.
~ Vulpex (a soap appropriate for stone cleaning available from conservators' supply houses) and water. Use 1 ounce to 5 gallons of water.
~ Household ammonia. Use 1 cup to 1 gallon of water.
~ Calcium hypochlorite. Use only to remove biological growth. Available as HTH and other swimming pool disinfectants. Use 1 pound dry to 4 gallons of water. Must be dissolved in warm water.
Soapstone
~ Water only
Slate
~ Water only
~ Non-ionic detergent and water (see Marble).
Sandstone
~ Water only
~ Non-ionic detergent and water (see Marble).
Pressure Wash
Only to be done by professionals~ something we can do for you!
And once again~~ Granite and Marble are very porous and will absorb any solution
you put on it, and could easily leave a stain!