Precautions:
- Ensure the stone is stable, secure, level and that all sections are securely attached to each other, also check that the stone is not in danger of falling if you put pressure on it.
- If the weather is hot and the stone surface is hot to the bare had, do not put cool water on it. It may cause stress cracks in the stone. Cover the stone to cool it or let the water warm in the sun before using it.
- Do not clean the stone if there is any chance of freezing temperatures. Water will get into cracks and freeze. Water expands when frozen and may crack the stone.
- Do not attempt to clean a broken headstone.
- Make sure you have enough water to thoroughly clean and then rinse the stone several times. Leave no residue from the cleaning agent on the stone as it could cause permanent streaking.
- NEVER use household cleaners, bleach, metal tools, scouring pads, wire brushes, power tools, pressure washer or nyalox brushes. The cleaning products with Alkyl are not the products we can recommend.
Inspection:
Check for delamination of the stone, this is where layers of the stone begin to separate. Lightly tap on the stone with your knuckle or other soft object. If you hear a “hollow” sound, the stone is probably delamination. Do not attempt to clean. This should be left to a professional stone conservator or preservationist.
- Check for stress cracks. Thoroughly wet the stone with water. Observe it while it is drying. Stress cracks will show up as wet “streaks” because the water has entered the crack and will take longer to dry than the surface water. If the stress cracks are wide or severe, leave this stone to the professionals.
- Check to see if biological growth has cracked the stone. The growth must be carefully removed, and the stone repaired before cleaning. Material at the cracked edges is very fragile and will chip off even gentle cleaning.
Basic Cleaning Procedure:
- Soak the stone with water and wait a few minutes. Gently remove loose materials from the surface. Once saturated, the lichens and moss on the stone will loosen and can be removed easily with a plastic scraper or wooden spatula. This helps remove the big particles so you will not be rubbing them back into the stone. Rinse thoroughly.
- Clean the wet stone with a wet brush by making random circular motion and rinsing frequently to remove dirt and biological growth. Always be as gentle as possible. Keep both the brush and the stone wet at all times while cleaning. Be sure to clean the entire stone. Normally, clean water and soft scrubbing will remove the dirt and grime. If not, use one of the recommended cleaning agents from the materials’ list below. Be sure to rinse often and thoroughly.•
Removal of Biological Staining.
Lichens, moss, mold and other biological growth, especially bird droppings can cause severe damage and staining to headstones and markers. D/2, a non-toxic biological kill and deters biological growth.
- Rinse thoroughly. You may have to apply more D/2 to certain areas. Even if the stain is not removed after D/2 has set on the stone, been scrubbed in and rinsed, have faith it will continue to work for weeks, working its way into the pores killing biological growth that may have grown inside the stone. Don’t be surprised if certain areas of the stone change color. That is the D/2 working, this is normal, and the stone will return to its usual color in a few days. Mud, dirt, and other dry or easily removable substances may be removed y gently using a dry nylon brush. Or add some water so you can clean the stone better and be able to rinse away the loosened debris.
- Soak the stone and while it is set, spray the stone with D/2. Wait 10 – 15 minutes and using your brushes scrub the D/2 into the stone with special emphasis on areas that have been stained.
Orvus is a sodium lauryl sulfate. It is completely biodegradable, non-ionic, and does not contain phosphates. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a “surfactant” – it removes stains and residues that are oily, so it’s found as an ingredient in sites of surface cleaners. It is versatile stuff and is used to clean vintage textiles, linens, needlework, and quilts. All things very prone to delicate dies and fibers that must be treated very gently. Orvus paste is very concentrated so it does not take much to clean with. There are several ways to use Orvus Paste, and you can’t really go wrong with any of them. They are simply a matter of preference.