Familypedia:Tombstone Cleaning Tips, Tricks, Techniques

The following technique was learned from a professional who is helping Huntsville, AL restore some of its older cemeteries. It is truly low-tech, relatively inexpensive, won't harm the stones, and is very effective.

"Tools needed" 1. Drywall sanding sponge ... in medium and/or coarse ... sponge is surrounded on all sides by sandpaper 2. Sidewalk chalk

Technique 1. Use the sanding sponge to LIGHTLY "sand" the tombstone of any surface debris. Tombstones that look like they're toally UNreadable will suddenly have enough contrast from the "crud" left in the crevices to take some really good photos of the tombstone. 2. Not enough contrast? LIGHTLY rub a piece of WHITE sidewalk chalk on the surface of the stone ... then lightly resand the stone to "smooth out" the contrast and even up the contrast of chalk on the stone.

Works like a charm every time.

The beauty is that the sanding sponge and chalk don't harm the stone. Any chalk left on the stone will wash away with the next rain!

><font color=red?Tombstone Cleaning DONT's!!!

NO wire brushes NO shaving cream NO chemicals ... no acids, vinegar, amonia, bleaches etc. NO metal scrapers, putty knives, etc. NO brushes or products with natural bristle brushes as they leave fibers behind that biological growth adheres to. NO power washers, etc. These items rip the skin of a stone which promotes water penetration--stone breathes water vapor but hates water.