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Cemetery Marker Care and Cleaning

This page was last reviewed on May 16, 2025.

Regular cleaning of your family’s memorial markers help preserve the markers.

Steps to Clean a Family Marker

1. Remove plant growth and grass away from the marker (to leave a path for water to drain off the marker). You may wish to bring a container to take sod and growth home for proper disposal.

2. Gently remove moss and lichen from the headstone using plastic, wooden or bamboo spatula.

2. Borrow a cleaning kit from the Village Office. The cleaning kits contains:

  • Buckets, brushes, plastic and wooden spatulas, bamboo sticks for scraping off lichen and moss
  • Non-ionic solution biological cleanser (safe for use on granite and marble) in spray bottles. The cleaner is described as a safe, effective, and easy-to-use liquid that removes stains on surfaces and architectural features caused by mold, mildew, algae, lichens, and air pollutants.
  • Please bring water and container to rinse the marker. There is also hand pump water source on site.

You may also bring:

  • Drinking water (water onsite is not potable)
  • Hat and sunscreen
  • Work gloves, and/or rubber gloves when using water
  • Padded mat for kneeling
  • If you have them, your own gardening tools for cutting sod and plant growth around the markers

Marker Care and Lettering

Please remember to take great care to gently clean memorial markers and do not use any product that could damage a marker. Use wood, bamboo, or plastic utensils and brushes. It is recommended to use a non-ionic cleanser specifically made to clean granite. Never use bleach or harsh cleaner that contributes to formation of soluble salts. Never use a power washer.

Marker with delicate lead letters.

Use extreme caution with

  • lead lettering
  • marble and sandstone markers,
  • upright markers that require stabilizing.

For these types of markers, it is recommended that families engage a professional conservator or restorer. Memorial marker companies often visit the area and may be able to provide this service for your family marker.

Please only refresh the lettering paint of your family markers only. The recommended paint for this purpose is a lithco base paint specifically made for stone monuments which will stand up to weathering and ultraviolet light.

Monument companies may clean markers and refresh painted lettering for your family for a fee.

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