Maine Old Cemetery Association - Cleaning Gravestones

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To encourage and support the preservation, maintenance, and study of Maine's old cemeteries and their records.

Cleaning Gravestones

GRAVESTONE CLEANING BROCHURE (PDF)

Before You Begin

Check with town officials, a Sexton, a Cemetery Association, or descendants to see whether permission is required before you begin cleaning.
Evaluate the stone’s condition. A stone that is leaning at an angle, that may be loose in its base, that is already cracked, or that shows signs of flaking or of previous repairs should not be cleaned unless the stone has been stabilized.
Determine whether the stone really needs to be cleaned. If the inscription is clearly readable, then it probably should not be cleaned. Remember, every time a stone is brushed or rubbed, deterioration to the surface is likely to occur.
Bring appropriate cleaning aids: natural or soft-bristled brushes, a tooth brush, soft wooden craft sticks, gloves, kneeling pads, grass clippers, spray bottles, pails, and many gallons of clean water.

Never Use Bleach!

Bleach can cause invisible, irreparable damage by eating away the surface of the stone.
Exposed to the elements, bleach can cause the stone to decay at a more rapid rate.
Using bleach can also leave a residue that no amount of cleaning and rinsing can remove.
Bleach causes a “sugaring” effect on soft stones such as marble.

White Bronze Markers

NEVER clean a White Bronze/Zinc) marker following the instructions described in this brochure. These monuments require specialized handling.

Cleaning the Stone

Do no harm – the first step in cleaning a gravestone.
Use WATER ONLY to clean stones. Professionals may use other cleaning agents.
Remove loose, dry material with a soft-bristled brush.
Wet the entire stone with water. Clean the sides and back of the stone first, saving the front for last.
Wash each face of the stone from the BOTTOM UP to avoid streaking. Use small circular motions as you work.
Change the water often. Using dirty water can cause scratching of the stone.
Clean out carved and other recessed areas of the stone with a soft toothbrush or soft wooden craft sticks, if necessary.
Finish the cleaning process by rinsing the entire stone with a GENEROUS quantity of clean water. A pump sprayer is ideal.

POWER WASHERS SHOULD NOT BE USED ON OLD SLATE OR MARBLE STONES!

D/2 Biologic Solution

In cases where a stone requires cleaning, and mosses, lichens, or other biological growth cannot be removed with just water, MOCA recommends the use of D/2. It is safe to use near grass and most landscape plantings... READ MORE

Dedicated to the preservation of Maine's old cemeteries since 1968.

Maine Old Cemetery Association, PO Box 641, Augusta, ME 04332-0641

MOCA is a non-profit Maine corporation and is tax exempt under the provisions
of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.