A gravestone should be cleaned and maintained carefully so as to avoid getting it scratched or tarnished. Thus, it is best to use a soft-bristle brush, or at most a plastic scraper or craft stick, instead of a wire brush or abrasive pad.
Moreover, care should be taken so as to avoid cleaning with detergents that contain compounds like sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, ammonium carbonate, and trisodium phosphate (TSP or Calgon); they contribute in the build-up of soluble salts beneath the surface of the stone.
In addition, it is suggested to determine the general condition of the headstone, gravestone, or tombstone taking measures to clean it.
In case a gravestone has flakes and cracks then you will have to be extremely careful while cleaning. You may avoid cleaning if the headstone is in a fragile condition.
Plus, avoid pressure washing a gravestone. Remember to wash the monument from the bottom to the top to minimize streaking and staining.
As for the detergent, do not use a household cleaner like soap, borax, Spic and Span, Fantastik, Formula 409, muriatic acid, phosphoric acid, and other strong acids and bases as because they tend to be corrosive.
You can use a non-ionic detergent (mix an ounce of the detergent in a gallon of water) because unlike most other detergents, it does not cause the deposition of soluble salts on the gravestone. You can find non-ionic detergents at janitorial, photographic, and conservation supplies.
Light colored marble or limestone tombstones can be cleaned with a cup of ammonium hydroxide or household ammonia mixed in a gallon of water to remove biological growth such as moss, mildew, algae, and lichen.
Avoid using chlorine bleach, though, as they tend to result in light brown staining after some time. The best and safest means of cleaning a headstone is soft water. So, avoid using cleaning solutions as far as possible.
If there appears lichen growth on the headstone in the form of grey and orange patches, then moisten the affected area and scrub it with a mixture of one part of ammonia and four parts of water. Finally, wash it with regular water.
Read more about the effect of lichen on man-made surfaces in this article from the British Lichen Society.
Besides, you can prepare a homemade poultice by mixing equal parts of water and glycerin (preferably vegetable glycerin) in dry porcelain clay until you get a smooth consistency.
Black algae growth can be removed with a solution of one lb granular calcium hypochlorite mixed in four gallons of water.
You can get more information about the process of cleaning a headstone on this page. If you want to gather details about gravestone cleaning and photographing, then read this.
Furthermore, keep in mind that gravestones made from materials like sandstone, marble, slate, etc. need not be cleaned and washed too often or else they may deteriorate soon. In fact, having cleaned a monument, you need not clean it again for the next ten years.
You may read about the different materials used for making headstones on this site. Historic headstones should not be cleaned more than once a year.
Watch this video demonstrating how to clean a stone headstone.
When choosing a cleaning solution, look for a non corrosive solution which is colorless, odorless, and tolerant to hard water.
Before applying a cleaner, pre-wet the headstone so that the solution does not permeate deeper in the stone. Plus, remember not to let a cleaning solution dry on the stone. Hence, rinse the stone thoroughly.
It is suggested to test the suitability of the cleaner before using it. Moreover, take the environmental conditions and humidity levels into consideration. You can get further tips and guidelines for cleaning gravestones here.
Cleaning Granite and Bronze Gravestones
Granite gravestones can be cleaned with the help of natural clean water, a non ionic detergent, and biocidal cleaning material. They can be cleaned just like marble, limestone, or sandstone headstones.
If the stone is in good and stable condition and does not have any contrasting paint on the engraving, you may use a pressure washer, too. You can gently scrub the surface with a scouring pad to remove calcium deposits on polished granite tombstones.
A bronze gravestone can be cleaned by rubbing it with a scrub brush soaked in a solution of one tablespoon of dish soap mixed in half a cup of water.
Rinse it with water and then spray distilled water on it to make the surface chemically inert. Finally, wipe it with a towel or use compressed air.
To maintain the attractive appearance of a bronze grave marker, rub a thin layer of paste wax on the memorial monument and brush the surface with the help of a shoe brush.
After a few minutes, bluff the surface in small circular motions using a dry scrub brush and rebuff with a flannel cloth.
Find further information about safely cleaning different types of headstones on this site. Besides, you can consult a conservation consultant about the proper methods and tools required for cleaning a gravestone without causing any damage to it.