If you are the person who offers maintenance to the gravesite of a loved one, you may not be sure how to keep the grave marker looking its best. It is important to know about the different materials markers can be made of and how they can change the techniques for maintenance. If that is something you are worried about and you want to know more about how to maintain a marker, there are some tips that directors of funeral homes in Hudson, MA want you to remember.

One of the first things that you have to do is to get the right supplies to start the cleaning process. You want to avoid turning to power-washing equipment or brushes with hard bristles. You want to use sponges and soft brushes to do the cleaning on the marker. Remember to avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, because they can leave stains and that can be a concern. Instead, use soap and detergent to make sure that you can leave the marker clean without leaving any damage.

You want to assess the stone before anything else. If you see that it has cracking, flaking, or crumbling, avoid cleaning it. You want to be sure that the stone is also stable. If it moves or shifts about, then you do not want to clean if because that can cause all manner of other issues.

When getting ready to clean a marble marker, you want to begin by wetting it with water. Marble is a porous surface and that means it will absorb the first liquid it can. If you use the cleaning solution first, it will absorb it without doing the work you need it to do. You want to also look for signs of algae or mold growth. If you see any, you can add a bit of ammonia to the water. It is something that you want to do fi the grave marker is light in color and not dark. If it is dark, it can stain, so use a bit of soap and water instead.

For a granite marker, you want to begin the cleaning process in the same manner. You want to be sure that you wet it with water before using anything else. You also want to remember that you do not want to use ammonia at all. Instead, add an ounce of detergent to about five gallons of water to make certain you can get stains or algae off. Always rinse the marker to avoid leaving streaks or residues.

These are some important things you want to remember when getting ready to clean the marker at a loved one’s gravesite. It is important to reach out to experts and see what they suggest, too, so you may want to contact the provider of the marker. If that is something that you are not sure about, you can always reach out to a Hudson, MA funeral home like us. We are here to help you with all of the decisions you need to make for a loved one who has died. Give us a call right now or stop by our location for more information about our services.