As avid headstone cleaners who have worked on countless stones, we have seen the effects of using bleach and other harsh chemicals on headstones, and the results are devastating. We are committed to cleaning headstones in a way that promotes preservation and we are honored to help educate others. View our collection of headstone related resources on this page.

Please note, we do not own the content linked to on this page.

Volunteer Resources

Protection, Education, Preservation

The Basics of Headstone Cleaning:

ALWAYS:

If you plan on undertaking your own headstone or monument cleaning project, please contact the cemetery you wish to work in and meet with the cemetery Supervisor to discuss your project. Have them observe you as you clean.
ALWAYS wear sunscreen when outdoors.
ALWAYS bring drinking water.
ALWAYS wear weather-appropriate clothing.

NEVER:

DO NOT clean a headstone without proper permission and without ensuring that the headstone is stable and level enough to be cleaned. Your safety is important.
DO NOT clean a chipping/cracked stone.
ALWAYS throughly document the condition of the stone before you begin cleaning.
NEVER undertake conservation (filling of cracks, etc) if you are not a conservation expert.
NEVER clean with metal-bristle brushes.
NEVER scrape lichens with metal trowels or scrapers.
NEVER use bleach or household cleaners on a stone. Our Collective uses D/2 exclusively.
NEVER use a high-powered pressure-washer on a stone.
DO NOT clean in conditions that are too cold. Water will freeze and expand, causing further damage to the stone.
DO NOT clean a hot stone with cold water, it can cause the stone to crack. Cover the stone and allow it to cool or allow the suns rays to heat the water before applying it to the sun.

Helpful Links:

NCPTT: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/ncptt/cemetery-conservation.htm
GRAVESTONE STUDIES: https://www.gravestonestudies.org/
DHR PRESERVATON FAQ's: https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/archaeology/cemetery-preservation-frequently-asked-questions/
CEMETERY PRESERVATION BASICS: https://www.lfpl.org/genealogy_cemetery-care.pdf
CoOL: https://cool.culturalheritage.org/
PRESERVATION BRIEFS: https://www.nps.gov/tps/how-to-preserve/preservedocs/preservation-briefs/48Preserve-Brief-GraveMarkers.pdf
APPROACHING HISTORIC AFRICAN-AMERICAN CEMETERIES: https://www.conservationfund.org/impact/blog/community-development/2152-documenting-and-preserving-african-american-cemeteries
DO NO HARM HEADSTONE CLEANING: https://cemeteryconservatorsunitedstandards.org/cleaning/
CEMETERY PRESERVATION FOUNDATION COURSE: https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/cemetery-preservation-course.htm