If you are the person in charge of maintaining the gravesite for a loved one who died, you want to be sure that you are able to keep the marker looking its best. That is not always easy to do if you have never done so before. If that is something that you are worried about, there are some tips that can make a difference. To help you, there are some things that directors of funeral homes in Madeira, OH want you to remember.
One of the first things you want to do is assess the marker to make certain it is in good shape. If you see that it is cracking, flaking, or crumbling, it can cause more damage to clean it. Look for structural stability, as well. If you see the marker moving too much, you do not want to attempt to clean it. A visual inspection can tell you a lot.
You then want to gather the right tools for the job. That can be something you may not be sure about. You want to avoid using anything abrasive, since that can cause all manner of damage to the marker. Avoid power-washing equipment and brushes with hard bristles. You also want to avoid very harsh chemicals, like bleach. Bleach can leave stains and that is not what you want for your loved one’s marker. Instead, you want to opt for sponges, brushes with soft bristles, water, soap, and detergent.
If the marker is made of marble, you want to begin by wetting it completely. 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. If you see signs of algae, you want to also consider adding a bit of ammonia to the water. Only use a small amount and be sure that you do so if the marker is light, not dark.
A granite marker needs to be soaked with water first, just like a marble one. Do avoid using any ammonia at all, however, since that can damage the granite. Instead, you may want to add an ounce of detergent into about five gallons of water and use that. Once you are done, you want to rinse the marker completely to avoid residue or staining.
These are some things that can make a big difference when you start planning how to maintain a loved one’s grave marker. Take the time to reach out and ask about the best techniques and options you may have so that there are no issues. If you want to learn more about all of this, you can reach out to a Madeira, OH funeral home like us. We are here to answer any questions you may have about this and much more, so do contact us. You can give us a call right now or you can stop by one of our locations to speak with an expert.
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