Cleaning a Grave Marker

If you are the person in charge of maintaining the gravesite for a loved one who died, you want to be sure that you are able to keep the marker looking its best. That is not always easy to do if you have never done so before. If that is something that you are worried about, there are some tips that can make a difference. To help you, there are some things that directors of funeral homes in Houston, TX want you to remember.  

The first thing you want to do is gather the tools you will need to clean the marker. This is something that is important, since not all kinds of cleaning tools are efficient for grave markers. You want to avoid brushes with hard bristles, power-washing equipment, and similar abrasive tools. You want to make sure that the chemicals you choose are also not harsh. Avoid bleach, since that can cause all manner of stains. The best options are detergent, soap, and water. 

It is important to assess the marker before you begin. A marker that has signs of damage, like crumbling, flaking, cracking, or similar issues can be too unstable to clean. If you see that it also moves around, this can also be a bad sign. You want to avoid cleaning the marker if you are not sure whether it will be able to hold.  

If the marker is made of marble, you want to ensure you wet it completely with water before you do anything else. Because marble is porous, it can absorb the cleaning solution and that is not what you want. By using water first, you can avoid that issue. If you see algae or any other biological growth, you can add a bit of ammonia to the water and use that, but only if the marker is light in color. If it is dark, ammonia can leave streaks and stains, so use soap instead.

You want to begin in a similar way if the marker is made of granite, but you want to remember to avoid using any ammonia at all. Instead, you can add an ounce of detergent to about five gallons of water and use that with a sponge. After you have cleaned the marker, you want to rinse it completely. Never try to clean a grave marker if it is dry, because that can damage it.  

All of these tips can help you manage a loved one’s grave marker. You can always ask the provider of the marker to offer some advice on the material’s maintenance, so keep that in mind. If you want to know more about how to maintain a gravesite, you can reach out to a Houston, TX funeral home like us. We are ready to help you with all of the arrangements you need after the death of a loved one so do not hesitate to contact us for more information. You can visit us today or you can call us right now to speak with one of our experts about the options we can offer.