How to Clean Cemetery Stones

by Carole Vansickle

Overview

When cleaning cemetery stones, you must take care so you do not destroy the etching, engraving and finish. In addition, you must be very careful about your cleaning supplies so that you do not accidentally kill the turf around the stone or damage any flowering plants that are intended to decorate the area. Whether your interest lies in restoration or general maintenance, you can clean and restore nearly any cemetery stone using items that you probably already have in your home cleaning cabinet or your bathroom.

Step 1

Mix up your cleaning solution. You should fill your 5-gallon bucket about two thirds full of water. Add half a cup of the dish detergent and 2 cups of white vinegar. Mix the ingredients by swirling them, and you do not need suds.
Step 2

Rinse the stone down using the hose. This will remove any loose dirt and grime, and may loosen caked-on debris and lichens.
Step 3

Scrub the stone with the cleaning solution. You may wear out the bristle brush, so when you notice that the plastic or nylon bristles are getting too bent to continue scrubbing effectively, move on to another one. The vinegar will help kill off any lichens, which will damage the stone over time, and the dish soap and water will lift dirt and grime. Rinse the stone down and your brush out regularly as you scrub so you're not just rubbing the dirt around on the stone.
Step 4

Remove the lichens. You have to be careful on this part because if you try to scratch the lichens off with anything other than plastic, you may scratch the stone as well. In general, you should attack them with the bristle brush and with gloved fingers. This can be tedious work, but at least you are not damaging the stone.
Step 5

Rinse the stone off a final time. If it is badly stained, you may wish to give it a coating of white vinegar. You do not have to rinse off the white vinegar. It will work over time to lighten stains naturally and will not harm the foliage around the stone.

2
Water Gentle dish detergent White vinegar Bristle brush 5 gallon bucket Garden hose
Water
Gentle dish detergent
White vinegar
Bristle brush
5 gallon bucket
Garden hose
To read eroded engraving more easily, apply a thin coat of shaving cream to the surface of the stone and then draw a piece of cardboard across the surface. The shaving cream will remain in the cracks and clearly show the writing.
To read eroded engraving more easily, apply a thin coat of shaving cream to the surface of the stone and then draw a piece of cardboard across the surface. The shaving cream will remain in the cracks and clearly show the writing.
Do not use a wire brush. It will damage the finish of even the hardest cemetery stone.
Do not use a wire brush. It will damage the finish of even the hardest cemetery stone.

Overview