What does Arlington Cemetery clean headstones with?

The product we use is called D/2 Biological Solution (We use this on Granite, Marble, and Sandstone monuments)... D/2 is what the Government uses for all of our National cemeteries including Arlington... It is safe for the monuments as well as the surrounding environment...

What solution is used to clean headstones?

Mix: Non-ionic detergents are generally recommended for cleaning granite headstones. Mix just one-ounce of non-ionic detergent to 5 gallons of water. Apply: Use a brush to gently apply the cleaning solution. Always test the solution to ensure the best results after the area has dried.

How do you clean a VA headstone?

By soaking the porous stone beforehand, the cleaner will stay on the surface of the stone and minimize penetration of the cleaner into the stone — minimizing adverse effects. 4. Apply water/product to keep the headstone or marker wet throughout the cleaning process.

How do you deep clean a gravestone?

If the headstone has a small amount of surface dirt on it, you should wash it down using water and a lint free cloth. Once you've washed the headstone, use a soft dry cloth to polish away any streaks left by the water. Any letters on the headstone should be lightly cleaned with a soft cloth and clean water only.

Can you use Simple Green to clean headstones?

Sometimes, simply spraying the stone with water and using a soft bristle brush is enough to start seeing improvement. For more stubborn weathering, Simple Green spray is applied. The stone will then be rinsed to flush away the cleaning solution.

How to Clean Veteran Headstones Using D/2 Biological Solution

Can you use Dawn to clean a headstone?

Keep your loved one's headstone clean with the following products: Gentle soap: Liquid dish soap is your best friend when it comes to cleaning a granite headstone. Anything harsher than dish soap can ruin the granite or eat away at the sealant. We recommend Ivory or Dawn soaps.

Can I use vinegar to clean a headstone?

Do not use any ammonia, vinegar, or lemon cleaners, as their acidic formulas will eat away at the granite's surface! Soak a clean rag or cloth in the soapy water, allowing the cleaning fluid to permeate it. Wring the rag or cloth a few times to remove excess water. Then wipe the granite headstone thoroughly.

How much does it cost to clean a headstone?

Headstone maintenance companies generally charge between $40 and $170 for headstone cleaning. You can even add services like flower planting and grass watering.

Can you power wash a gravestone?

Never use pressure washers on gravestones. One technique I like to use is to place my thumb over the open end of the water hose to form a gentle spray. There is a special method of wetting the stone that will greatly improve the final look once you complete your tombstone cleaning.

How do you wet and forget on a gravestone?

Simply spray the surface with Wet & Forget Ready-To-Use, making sure all headstone surfaces are fully saturated with product. You are done! Wet & Forget Outdoor cleans the headstones and monuments over time with the wind and the rain. No scrubbing required!

How do you clean a granite memorial?

In order to clean a polished or honed granite memorial stone, wash it well with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use household cleaners as they may contain chemicals that my stain the monument. Avoid using a protective coating which is impermeable to water vapor as it is likely to stain or damage the stone beyond repair.

How do you make homemade wet and forget?

Pour 3 tbsp. of dish detergent, 2 cups of bleach and 1 cup of alcohol into a 5-gallon bucket. Add 1 gallon of water. Stir the mixture until everything is incorporated.

Can you use baking soda to clean headstones?

If the stone has mold or mildew stains, mix a poultice with a cup of baking soda, five tablespoons of dish soap and enough hydrogen peroxide to make a thick paste. Apply this to the headstone and let it sit for several hours, then wash away and dry. You may need the brush to get the stains out.

What cleaners are safe for granite?

How do you clean a marble cemetery stone?

Mix 1 tablespoon of the non-ionic soap with 1 gallon of water. Use the brushes to apply the soapy mixture to the surface and scrub away any debris. Keep the stone wet with clean water for the duration of your cleaning. Once all of the debris is removed, rinse the stone thoroughly with clean water.

How do you remove moss from a gravestone?

Spray a cleaning solution of 1/2 oz. of a pH-neutral product, such as Kodak's Photo-Flo, to 1 quart of distilled water. Saturate the entire stone surface with the spray. Use a soft, natural brush and work over the area in small circular motions to dislodge any remaining moss residue.

How do you get a rust stain out of a granite headstone?

It is also possible to remove rust from memorial headstones through the use of a product known as 'Iron Out', which is a cleaner that has been specially designed for use on rust stains.

Can you wax a granite headstone?

Let it air dry thoroughly before adding a protective coating to the granite. Finally, apply a thin layer of paste wax, let it dry, then buff the surface with a dry cloth. Maintaining granite burial headstones in Walterboro, SC ensures they will last a long time.

What is wet forget?

Wet & Forget removes moss, algae, lichen, mold or mildew gently over time, without damaging the surface being cleaned. Wet & Forget is ideal for roof cleaning, deck cleaning, the siding on the north side of the house that attracts mold and mildew and even mildew prone boats that need cleaning!

Does wet and forget work?

Compared to other products on the market, Wet and Forget offers a highly effective and convenient solution to removing unsightly stains. In our experience, this product works slowly but steadily and you may have to respray after a month or so if your stains are especially stubborn.