Preserve Their Final Resting Place: How To Care For Your Loved One's Headstone

If you've recently laid your loved one to rest, you want to keep their final resting place as pristine as possible. Part of that process should include the proper care of their headstone. You might not realize this right now, but exposure to the elements can destroy your loved one's headstone. If there are trees near your loved one's grave site, tree sap and bird droppings can also cause serious damage to the headstone. To help protect your loved one's headstone, here are three important steps you'll need to follow.

Keep it Clean

When it comes to protecting your loved one's headstone, the most important thing you can do is keep it clean. The best way to do that is to come out with a bucket of water about once a month. In most cases, you'll be able to find a faucet in the cemetery that you can use for fresh water. Fill your bucket with water and add a few drops of grease-cutting dish detergent. Use your hand, or a small whisk broom to sweep away the loose debris. Soak a soft cloth in the water and use it to gently scrub the headstone. Once you've washed the headstone, use fresh water to rinse away the soapy residue. Wipe dry with a clean cloth.

Remove the Stains

If your loved one's headstone should develop stains, which can happen from time to time, you'll need to take care of those as quickly as possible. You can do that using a clean cloth, baking soda, and dish soap. Place about ¾ cup of baking soda in a small bowl. Add several teaspoons of dish detergent, and enough water to form a light paste. Apply the paste directly to the stain and rub it into the stain using your finger or a soft brush. Allow the paste to set for about 30 minutes. Pour a small amount of water over the paste and then gently scrub with a soft brush. Rinse with fresh water and wipe dry.

Get Rid of Mold and Mildew

If you discover mold or mildew on your loved one's headstone, you'll want to take steps to remove it from the surface of the granite. To remove mold and mildew, you'll need a bucket, fresh water, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, two clean washcloths, a soft-bristled brush and a pair of gloves. Fill your bucket with about 2-gallons of fresh water and add your bottle of peroxide. Put your gloves on and use one of your clean cloths to scrub the entire headstone.

Be sure to pay close attention to the areas where mold and mildew are present. Use fresh water to rinse away the peroxide solution and use the second cloth to dry your headstone. Once your headstone is dry, use a soft white cloth to gently buff it to bring back the luster. 

Contact a company like Maurice Moore Memorials for more information and assistance.