If you are the person who has to maintain the gravesite for a loved one, you want to be sure you know how to best keep the grave marker looking great. If you have never done this kind of thing before, it can be important to know some tips that can make the process easier. To make sure that you know how to maintain the gravesite in an efficient way, there are some tips that can help you. Here are the things that directors of funeral homes in Painesville, OH want you to remember.  

One of the things that you want to do is gather the tools you will need for this kind of cleaning. You do not want to turn to any abrasive tools like wire-hair brushes or power-washing equipment. Stick instead with soft brushes and sponges. Avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, since they can stain the markers. Instead, you want to consider using soap, detergent, water, and sometimes a bit of ammonia.  

Another thing that you want to remember is to inspect the grave marker before beginning the cleaning process. You have to make sure the marker is stable, since that will have an effect. If you see that there are cracks, splintering, crumbling, or other issues, you want to avoid beginning the cleaning process.  

If the marker is made of marble, you want to remember to begin by soaking the marker with plain water. Marble is porous, so it will absorb liquids and you do not want it to absorb cleaning solutions. If you notice there is algae or mold growing on the marker, you want to add a bit of ammonia to the water and use that. It is important to remember to do this only if the marker is made of light marble and not dark, since it can stain dark marble.  

For a granite marker, you want to begin as you would for a marble one. After soaking it in water, you want to use only detergent and water. Add an ounce of mild detergent to about five gallons of water and use that to wipe mold and algae. Be sure to rinse the entire thing. Never begin the process of cleaning a marker when it is dry, since that can cause damage. 

These are some things that you want to remember when getting ready to clean the grave marker for a loved one. It is always a good idea to reach out to the provider of the marker to get tips on the best ways of maintaining your loved one’s. If you still have questions or if you want to get more information on grave markers, you can reach out to a Painesville, OH funeral home like us. We are ready to help you with the exact funerary services you may want for a loved one, so do not hesitate to contact us. You can give us a call right now or you can visit us today at one of our locations.