09/22/2024
Some of you know that Mark and I will be celebrating 20 years of stone carving next month. Time really flies when you’re having fun! Over the years, we’ve taken numerous stone restoration classes. In the past 5 or 6 years, Mark has felt a strong calling to preserve the older headstones in our local cemeteries. My passion for this work began with Wilbur, Ella, and Solomon in Whitehead Cemetery—a long story best saved for another time.
Older cemeteries are true works of skill and art. There are very few monument companies today that can replicate the craftsmanship of the past. Those that still do hand and chisel work are worth every penny they charge.
Once a monument or headstone is completed, the monument company’s job is done. The upkeep of the stone is left to the living, usually the family. I learned some 18 or 19 years ago in my second headstone restoration class that you can ruin a stone by using the wrong cleaning products. My first headstone restoration class taught me everything you’re not supposed to do in headstone preservation.
I usually write my articles for Not Forgotten Preservation and our pages that showcase our preservation work. However, I believe the article below should be shared on my personal page. I think everyone interested in preserving their ancestral monuments and headstones should know how to do so without causing damage.
One of my pet peeves when it comes to cleaning monuments and headstones is when someone offers their services at a cost and promises immediate results. This is a glaring indication that they are using harsh chemicals, such as bleach or ammonia. While it’s understandable that people expect immediate results when paying for a cleaning service, this expectation should not apply to historical monuments and headstones. Generally, a biological cleaner will start showing results within a few days, weeks, or even months, depending on how soiled the stone is or how much biological growth is present.
Now, I’d like to compare the use of harsh cleaning chemicals versus biological cleaners for cleaning monuments and headstones. My goal is to educate and inform people on the proper cleaning techniques so that these monuments and headstones can be preserved and enjoyed for centuries to come.
Harsh Cleaning Chemicals:
Examples: Bleach, ammonia, hydrochloric acid
Pros:
• Quick Results: These chemicals can show immediate cleaning effects, removing surface stains, mold, and mildew within minutes.
• Effective on Tough Stains: They can be very effective at removing tough, ingrained stains and biological growth.
Cons:
• Surface Damage: Harsh chemicals can erode the surface of the stone, causing pitting, roughness, and long-term damage.
• Discoloration: They can cause discoloration or bleaching of the stone, leading to an unnatural appearance.
• Weakened Inscriptions: The chemicals can wear down inscriptions and engravings, making them less legible over time.
• Environmental Impact: These chemicals can be harmful to the surrounding environment, including plants and wildlife.
• Health Risks: They pose health risks to the person applying them, requiring protective gear and careful handling.
Biological Cleaning Products:
Example: D/2 Biological Solution
Pros:
• Gentle on Stone: Biological cleaners are designed to be gentle, preserving the integrity of the stone without causing damage.
• Long-Term Effectiveness: They continue to work overtime, providing a thorough and lasting clean by penetrating deep into the stone.
• Safe for Environment: These products are typically environmentally friendly, posing no harm to surrounding plants and wildlife.
• No Health Risks: They are safer for the person applying them, usually requiring minimal protective gear.
Cons:
• Slower Results: Biological cleaners take longer to show results, often requiring days, weeks, or even months to fully clean the stone.
• Multiple Applications: Severely soiled stones may need multiple applications to achieve the desired level of cleanliness.
• Cost: They can be more expensive than common household chemicals, though the benefits often outweigh the cost.
Summary:
While harsh cleaning chemicals offer quick and effective results, they come with significant risks to the stone, the environment, and personal health. Biological cleaning products, on the other hand, provide a safer, more sustainable approach, preserving the stone’s integrity and ensuring long-term cleanliness, albeit at a slower pace. For historical monuments and headstones, the gentler, more preservation-friendly option is generally recommended.
