How to Care for a Gravestone to Increase its Longevity?

Caring for and maintaining your loved one’s gravestone can help a great deal in keeping it in good condition for a long time. Here are some tips on how to care for a gravestone to increase its longevity:

·         Clean the gravestone from the bottom instead of going from top to bottom. Washing the stone from the top may cause the acids released from molds and lichens to spread on different areas of the stone and, thereby, increase its chances of developing stains.

·         Do not wash a gravestone with power washers as it may encourage water retention in the stone. Also, do not use wire brushes, metal brushes, and harsh abrasives. Use only soft-bristled toothbrush or plastic nylon brush to remove loose dirt, fungi, and lichen spots.

·         Different types of gravestones require different cleaning methods. Choose a cleaning method depending on the type of material your loved one’s gravestone is made of.

·         Do not rub or scrub the gravestone. Most people have the wrong notion that gravestone rubbing makes it more appealing and increases its life. However, it is not so. Too much rubbing and scrubbing can cause permanent damage to the stone, as it encourages abrasion.

·         When a bronze gravestone becomes old, it tends to become darker. This is a natural process. If the gravestone becomes darker, just wash it with water, let it dry completely, and then give it a high polish finish with the help of liquid wax. To remove the greenish coating on bronze, you can use a paste of two tablespoons of baking soda and a little lemon juice.

Gravestone cleaning is an important task. If you are not sure about how to clean your loved one’s gravestone, it is advisable to get the job done by a professional. Do not try to do it yourself because it may increase the chances of causing damage to the stone.