Cleaning a Grave Marker

If you are the person who has to maintain a loved one’s gravesite, it is important to know how to keep the grave marker looking its best. That is not an easy thing to do, especially if you have never done so before. To help you manage this without making it more difficult and without damaging the marker, there are some tips that directors of funeral homes in Post Falls, ID want you to remember. 

The first thing you want to do is gather the right tools for cleaning the marker. You want to avoid hard brushes and power-washing equipment, since that can cause lots of damage to the marker. Instead, you want to use sponges and soft brushes. You also want to avoid any harsh chemicals like bleach. Bleach can leave stains and can even deteriorate some materials. You want to stick with water, soap, and detergent. 

You want to take a look at the marker before you start cleaning it. If you see that it has cracks or other damage like crumbling, you do not want to attempt to clean it. You also want to be sure that it is stable and does not move around. 

If the marker is made of marble, you want to soak it with plain water first. This is because marble is porous and will absorb liquid and you do not want it to absorb the cleaning solution. Look for mold or algae. If there are signs of it, you want to add a small amount of ammonia to the water and use that. Only do that if the marble is light. If it is dark, this can stain it so avoid using that mixture. For dark marble, you can use soap and water. 

For a granite marker, you want to begin as you would for a marble one, but you do not want to use any ammonia at all. Instead, mix about an ounce of detergent to five gallons of water and use that. Be sure to rinse the marker thoroughly. Remember never to start cleaning the marker when it is dry, since that can cause all manner of issues, including crumbling. 

Take the time to ask the provider of the marker for tips on how to keep it looking its best. There are lots of things you can do to clean it and you also do not have to clean it very often, so take your time to figure out what works best for your loved one’s marker. You can also ask the funeral home director about their tips. It can be important to consider the kind of marker and what it is made of, so if you have more questions, you can reach out to a Post Falls, ID funeral home like us for help. We are here to answer all of the questions you may have about this and much more. You can give us a call right now or you can visit us today to get started with all of the arrangements you want.