How to Clean a Headstone - Best Cleaners for Lichen, Dirt and Wax
Dirt such as wax and lichen stains is not only unaesthetic, but when ignored, it might become difficult to remove. How to remove spilled candle wax off a grave marker? How to clean a headstone and remove mold and lichen? Of course, you can hire a professional service to do it for you. But cleaning a headstone yourself is much cheaper and better solution. Just use correct cleaners for tombstones or a homemade headstone cleaner. Thanks to them, you can easily remove all stains from the memorial stone and restore its aesthetic looks.
Is it possible to remove stains from a headstone?
Despite efforts such as using special pads and coating substances, the headstone or grave marker might get stained with dirt. Removing stains from a gravestone is something one should make sure to do as soon as the dirt is noticed. If left on the surface, stains from lichen, mold, and candle wax are not quite visually attractive. For this reason, their removal should be a priority. Even more so, as they might cause ugly discoloration.
Fortunately, most stains are easy to remove. The only thing to remember is to use a good method to effectively clean headstones at a cemetery. The most popular remedies include:
- store-bought grave marker cleaning kit,
- homemade headstone cleaner.
By picking a proven remedy or a good cleaner designed for tombstones, you can remove all bothersome stains on the headstone – easily, effectively, and most importantly – safely.
How to clean a headstone and remove stains?
Mold, lichen, and solidified candle wax on a headstone don’t look very attractive. For this reason, they have to be removed. Home remedies such as a homemade headstone cleaner are usually very effective. Thanks to them, you can remove not only the dirt, but also any remaining blemishes, e.g., greasy marks from wax. If the gravestone is very old or covered in difficult stains, consider using a chemical cleaner for tombstones, designed specifically for the material the grave marker is made of.
How to clean wax off a headstone using hot water?
Cleaning a gravestone with hot water is one of the easiest methods. This way, you can remove solidified candle wax from grave candles. It’s also quite convenient, as you can take boiling water with you in a thermos flask.
Simply pour hot water over the solidified wax and wait until it softens. Then, use a wooden scraper that won’t damage the gravestone material, pry the soft wax and remove it from the monument. Using hot water, you can remove all solidified candle wax stains – large and small. It’s a perfect way to prepare the surface for proper cleaning and removal of other types of dirt.
Homemade headstone cleaner – water and vinegar
How to remove stains off a headstone using a simple homemade remedy? Just use a mixture of water and vinegar. The correct proportion is three tablespoons of vinegar per one liter of water. Mix it thoroughly. Such a solution is useful for cleaning stains off various elements. It’s a perfect oven and dishwasher cleaner.
This mixture is also perfect for removing most dirt stains on a headstone. Just soak a soft sponge or a cloth with it and wipe a fragment of the surface. Be careful when using this method, as vinegar might cause discoloration in certain materials. To check how the gravestone made of a particular material reacts to the mixture, apply it in an invisible spot and check the reaction. If no discoloration appears, you can clean the entire headstone using the solution.
How to clean a headstone using dish soap
Headstones are typically made of durable materials, but note that some might absorb water due to their porosity. Most dirt and stains can be removed using methods such as hot water and delicate detergents – e.g., dish soap. Using a brush, you can remove superficial dirt – such as lichen and mold. But to get rid of old candle wax, greasy stains and deeply rooted lichen or mold, you might need something stronger than a homemade headstone cleaner.
How to clean a headstone using chemical cleaners? First, make sure the product is designed for the material of the grave marker. For instance, to clean a granite tombstone, you need an adequate granite headstone cleaner. This way, you can be sure you won’t damage the surface.
Methylene chloride – quick removal of wax stains from a headstone
How to remove wax from a headstone using methylene chloride? This chemical can be purchased mainly online. Note that the substance is a strong and dangerous chemical, so be careful when using it, and make sure to protect your hands.
Pour methylene chloride over wax stains and leave it on the surface for about 15-20 minutes. Then, clean the spot using a soft cloth, making sure you don’t scratch the gravestone. Remember to remove the entire product. If anything remains on the surface for a long time, they might damage the headstone.
How to clean a headstone using water and lemon juice?
Lemon juice is perfect for various situations. It can be used for household cleaning, e.g., when cleaning a bathtub or a microwave oven.
How to use lemon juice as a cleaner for tombstones? Just combine the juice with a bit of water, and spread it over all dirty spots. This method is perfect for removing wax and greasy stains. It also removes discoloration from bright tombstones, and refreshes the color of the dark ones.
📍 How to remove wax from a headstone?
Removing wax from stone grave markers is quite easy. Just use one of the popular methods, e.g., methylene chloride, to effectively remove all stains. It's quite safe for stone surfaces. Soda or vinegar are good alternatives.
📍 What is the best homemade headstone cleaner?
Dirty and stained tombstones aren't aesthetically pleasing. How to clean a granite headstone? Just use a home remedy of your choice (vinegar, baking soda, water with lemon juice) to easily remove all difficult stains. The process is very easy. Thanks to it, you can quickly restore the monument's aesthetics.
📍 How to clean memorial plaques?
You can hire a professional company to clean a headstone for you. Also, you can clean a grave marker and remove any stains using a grave marker cleaning kit. There are also homemade headstone cleaners. Water with lemon juice is one of the most popular methods.
📍 Is gravestone cleaning expensive?
Grave site care services aren't very expensive. The price depends on the grave marker's size and how dirty it is. Alternatively, if you use homemade headstone cleaner yourself, you won't spend more than the cost of the ingredients. Special gravestone cleaning products, e.g., designed for granite, are slightly more expensive.
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