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Grave Cleaning and Maintainence
By Kendrick Lester
Keep you loved ones memorial standing tall and shining
bright by taking the time to visit it at least once a
year to do clean up and maintenance. Over time debris
and hardwater can build up on the headstone. Grasses and
weeds can creep up and over take the grave site.
Fortunately, managing these problems can be quick and
simple.
Whenever you visit a grave and plan on doing work there,
you should always inform the management. They may even
help you or offer supplies. I like to go at times when
it is not to busy as I don't want to disturb others
visits. Sometimes I may have to bring a small weedeater
and they can be noisy. Just be respectful if others are
in the area.
You can cut back grasses and weeds with garden shears or
if needed and okay with the management use a weed-eater.
Be sure and bag up and remove all debris when you finish
this task.
When you clean the headstone bring a nylon or natural
bristle brush to scrub off bird dropping, cobwebs, and
dirt.
If the stone looks stained or dull due to hardwater or
other types of decay you will need to take more serious
efforts at restoring it's shine. First you will need to
determine the make-up of the stone and then what
materials and supplies are suitable and safe for that
type of substance be it granite, marble, limestone, or
bronze. Be careful when using chemical cleaner that they
do not leach into the soil and kill vegetation. Also I
recommend that you test any type of cleaner on a small
area of the stone before applying it to the entire face.
Always when leaving a grave after cleaning it, be sure
and collect everything you came with and any trash you
might find. |
