The passing of a loved one is a painful experience for you and your family. To make their passing easier, we memorialize them with a beautiful headstone. Unfortunately, over time, granite can become stained with water, dirt, mold, and mildew. There are multiple ways you can clean headstones. Use these tips to ensure your monument continues to shine.

How to Clean a Granite Headstone

1. General Headstone Cleaning Supplies

Bring a bucket, dishwashing liquid, water, cotton buds, rags, and fiber-free white cloths. If you’re cleaning water stains, mold, mildew, or rust, bring specific clean supplies for the job. For example, bring baking soda for water stains, hydrogen peroxide for mold and mildew, and poultice for rust.

2. Remove the Excess Dirt

If you clean a headstone once a month, or if the weather has been excellent, this step won’t be necessary. If you need to, use a rag to wipe excess dirt from the headstone. Flat headstones tend to accumulate more dirt than upright ones, and dirt or leaves may obscure the engravings.

3. Carefully Wash the Granite

Fill a bucket with soapy water, and add a few drops of dishwashing soap. Avoid acidic cleaners like lemon, vinegar, or ammonia, which can eat away the granite. Use a clean rag or sponge to wipe the soapy water over the entire headstone. Repeat multiple times until clean.

4. Dry & Clean Engravings

After you rinse off the headstone with freshwater, dry the granite with a dry cloth immediately to prevent streaks. Take this time to carefully clean the engravings on the granite, as debris will fill those indents over time.

5. Buff Granite with Cloth

Take a dry cloth and buff the granite. Not only will this reduce stains and streaks, but it will make the headstone shine. Don’t use the cloth that had soap on it, even if you’ve cleaned it. There may still be soap residue on the fabric that could stick to the granite.

Creating beautiful plaques and headstones since 1936, Fort Worth Monument in Fort Worth, TX, has worked closely with the community to honor family members who have passed away. This family-owned-and-operated business will be by your side to help with the epitaph you want to create. Visit their website to see their gallery of past work, or call (817) 625-2721 for a free estimate.