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Headstones: Cleaning With Care
By Mahassan Lee
Headstones are the most common way to remember the
departed. This does not imply that if you do not have
these placed on the graves of those you love that you
would not be able to remember them. Basically, it is a
way to mark the actual grave and serve as their
identification. It is a simple way to help others know
who lies beneath. Some of the things that you will find
in these markers would be their names and the dates of
their birth and death. Others would add inscriptions of
religious passages or other short phrases to let people
know about the deceased or about those who loved and
remember them. These phrases are called epitaphs.
Over time, headstones would eventually wear out from the
constant exposure to the elements. They are not covered
by anything, which makes them susceptible to dirt and
stains. Rain itself can wear on a stone depending on the
type of material that was use to make the headstone. The
epitaph on markers that are made of limestone or marble
tend to become faded and blurred by rainwater. Some of
the most common stains on a marker are water stains
brought about by rain and snow. Other factors such as
daily exposure to the elements would likely make it
muddy and even grimy.
One of the most common questions about headstones are
those involving the cleaning and maintenance of the
markers. The first thing that you should do is to brush
it off to remove any tangible or dry debris that may
have found its way to it. You can wipe it with a damp
cloth or splash it with some water. The use of soap may
be acceptable as long as you use something that could be
easily rinsed. After all, this is a headstone and odds
are, you would not be in a place where water could be
easily accessible.
You could be able to find some products to help with
this goal. This means that you will have the ability to
restore the headstone to its natural luster provided
that you only use a product that is meant for that
specific type of stone. For example you don't want to
use bronze cleaner to clean a marble stone, it may
further damage it or harm the engraving. Another
important factor to remember when cleaning headstones is
to clean the engraved portions. This is where dirt would
likely accumulate as it is bedded from the surface.
Finally, you should take great care not to damage the
stone. If you find that your stone has been chipped or
cracked, you shouldn't attempt to fix it yourself. You
should seek the services of a memorial mason to repair
the marker of your loved one. |
