Even though there are still over three weeks left until November 1, and All Souls’ Day, which falls on the next day, it is worth starting now.
The first half of October is the best time to thoroughly clean the graves before the frosts arrive (cleaning in such conditions is not easy or pleasant). You don’t have to use expensive, chemical preparations from the store to restore the splendor of the burial places of your relatives. They are perfect for cleaning tombstones .
Cleaning the tombstone always start by removing with a soft brush or sponge any loose dirt that has accumulated on it, such as: leaves that have fallen from trees, fragments of branches, needles or dried paraffin from candles. However, be careful with rough wires that may scratch the surfaces.
How to wash a tombstone? It’s best to prepare a homemade cleaner with with a concentration of 10 percent and warm water in proportions 1:2 (don’t overdo it with vinegar as it may discolor).
You can also add some baking soda, but no more than 1 teaspoon per 1 liter of solution and 5 drops of dishwashing liquid. Mix the ingredients and spray the surface of the tombstone. Leave it for 5 minutes, then wipe it gently and rinse with clean water. Don’t forget to wipe the area dry to avoid unsightly streaks.
If the tombstone is made of marble, sandstone or stone, you should not clean it with vinegar or soda, and certainly not in large proportions. Another home-made mixture will be safer for the delicate surface of the grave.
You can make it with 1 liter of warm water and 2 tablespoons of dishwashing liquid. You can also add 5 drops of 3 percent hydrogen peroxideto get rid of dark deposits, e.g. from moss.
Prepare the solution and wet the surface of the tombstone, scrub its surface with a soft sponge and rinse with water. Then wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth. Finally, you can use a minimal amount of linseed oil/stone sealer.
