Tips for Keeping a Headstone Like New
The tombstone is the place where we remember a deceased. We have all gone to the cemetery at some time, be it All Saints' Day, the anniversary of a death, or any other day on a whim. We have gone to visit a grave of a loved one. Frequently after the aforementioned visit, a stroll through the adjacent corridors is taken. In this walk we see the most beautiful parts of the cemetery, some are true parks.
What concerns me in this article is that we always see tombstones in perfect condition, it is true, but next to these there are others that are not properly cleaned or cared for. Some headstones are simply not maintained at all. In a place like this it is really painful to see something like this. Today I propose to give some advice so that your tombstone is not one of these. What we want is for you to keep as long as possible how you looked on the first day to remember your loved one as they deserve.
What is the material of my tombstone?
The first thing we need to know is what material our tombstone is made of. In this regard we have three main possibilities, granite, polished or not, marble and stainless steel. In the past, marble was the king of cemeteries, but today, and due to the price of this material, it is more common to see other materials such as granite. We are going to reel off one by one the operations that we must carry out for the correct cleaning and conservation of the tombstone. In the first place, we will talk about granite because it is more common, although we must distinguish whether it is polished or not because its cleaning is different.
Unpolished granite
The first thing we have to do, and this applies to any surface, is to use a dry cloth, a brush or a brush. With this tool we will clean the surface of the entire tombstone. We do this in order to eliminate surface dust, cobwebs or any other element. If we do not do it like this, when we go to the next step and wet the tombstone, we will find the formation of mud that will make it difficult to clean it correctly, making it more complicated.
When the surface is clean, and in the event that the granite is not polished, it is best to use an acid-based detergent. In these tombstones, the mixing of dust or other elements with the water creates dirt that becomes embedded in the pores. This dirt is very difficult to remove. The cleaners, which can be based on hydrochloric, phosphoric or acetic acid, what they do is penetrate this layer to achieve descaling. My advice is to use an acetic acid based one for two reasons, the first being that it is less caustic than the other two. The second is that it is much easier to find on the market in diluted formats. Always test some inconspicuous part of the tombstone first to see how it reacts to avoid unexpected surprises.
Polished granite
Always remember to clean it first with a dry cloth, brush or paintbrush to remove dust. Once this task is done, put warm water and any neutral pH soap in a bucket. In this case, any of the soaps used to wash dishes can serve us. We stir in the bucket until we get a good amount of foam and we introduce a cloth or sponge. With this very damp cloth we wet the entire surface of the tombstone, insisting on all the corners.
Once we see that we have left it clean, we rinse it with plenty of water. The best thing to do would be to do it with a hose, but if you don't have a nearby water outlet, keep a bucket of water handy and throw it on your tombstone, taking care with the rest, to rinse well. Otherwise, we will have to rinse it with clean water until we see that there is no soap left. There is a procedure to clean stains that can be created on granite headstones, but due to its complexity, we will cover it in another article.
Marble
We arrived at the king of cemeteries, the most elegant and noble of the elements of the tombstones. Marble does not need a very special treatment, but when it is cleaned it is done thoroughly.
The first, as always, is to eliminate any remaining dust or any other dry residue that we can eliminate before moistening. Once this is done, the most common and practical option is cleaning with soap and water. We will use the same procedure as for polished granite. Wet the headstone well and then clean the headstone thoroughly with soap and hot water, rubbing vigorously. In addition to energy, you also have to be patient and careful. At the end we clarify. In case we observe that there is a scratch on the surface, it may be that the cleaning has not been sufficient. It is best to repeat the process to complete. Marble should never be allowed to air dry; when we finish cleaning with soap, it is very important to dry with a dry chamois to achieve the shine that marble has to offer.
Another way to clean marble
In the case of marble there is another option. The entire tombstone is rubbed with bicarbonate and when it is covered the entire surface is rubbed with a lemon. Together they become an element that removes all tartar. Later it is necessary to clarify well with the same procedure that the rest.
Stainless steel
In many of our tombstones, there are plaques, letters or even the vases where we place our flowers. These ornaments are made of stainless steel and should be cleaned differently. In these cases, it is essential that it is well isolated from the rest of the tombstone since the fall of any rest of the liquid that we use to clean marble or granite will lead to the deterioration of these materials.
To clean this part, we will use a mixture of 3 tablespoons of bicarbonate and enough water to form a consistent paste. With this paste and the help of a sponge, we rub the entire surface and then rinse with plenty of water. It is a good option to buy a special white vinegar for cleaning in any supermarket to remove any stain. Once we have used this vinegar, it must be rinsed with plenty of water to remove any residue. Finally and to polish the stainless steel we can rub with a sponge that we have dipped in olive oil or sparkling water. The results are optimal.
Bronze
There is a possibility that there are bronze ornaments. There are two equally effective systems for cleaning. The first is based on bicarbonate and lemon juice. In a container we mix the bicarbonate with the juice. We start with a little lemon juice and we add more until we get a paste. At first some bubbles will be created, but then we will get the paste. The bronze should be cleaned with circular movements, this is the most important part of the process. We leave it for about 20 minutes to act and rinse with warm water.
For the second method we will use water and salt in equal parts. On this mixture we will add white vinegar until obtaining a mixture with a consistency similar to toothpaste. With it we rub the bronze with our hands, using rubber gloves or a small cloth. We leave 20 or 30 minutes and rinse with warm water. If it continues to be dirty with that green layer that we all know in bronze, repeat the process again.
I hope this article and its tips are useful for cleaning the graves of your loved ones. And then don't forget to decorate them with a nice wreath, bouquet or any floral arrangement.
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