Question 1

What is our cleaner?

Accepted Answer

Our biological solution is a biodegradable liquid, also known as a biocide, that removes stains from mold, algae, mildew, lichens and air pollutants. It is also pH neutral and contains no salts, bleach or acids. Our cleaner can safely be used on a variety of surfaces found in cemeteries, churches, municipal buildings and parks. These surfaces include natural stones, such as granite, limestone, marble, sandstone and slate. Other surfaces that can be cleaned with our solution is masonry products like brick, cast stone, and concrete, aluminum, canvas, vinyl siding and wood.

Question 2

What is the technical info on our cleaner?

Accepted Answer

Our cleaner is a proprietary architectural antimicrobial solution composed of octyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, and alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, combined with surfactants, wetting agents, and buffers. It has a pH of 9.5 and is non-combustible. There are no significant hazards associated with handling either the concentrate or the diluted solution. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) is available upon request.

Question 3

Do we clean every headstone?

Accepted Answer

We review each monument before cleaning to be sure that is can safely be cleaned. However, in some cases, the stone should not be cleaned such as a brass plate. It will age itself and turn a green patina in color, which is the protectant for the brass. We don’t clean brass plates, unless there is a detriment to the brass. There are times when biological growth is damaging the stone however and, in those situations, we make the decision to preserve the integrity of the stone by removing the organic material which is attacking the stone.

Question 4

What are the organic and inorganic items that might be affecting the stone?

Accepted Answer

These items can range from tree sap, bird excrement, air pollutants, algae, fungi and lichen. For many of these attackers they can be hazardous because they allow moisture to get into the stone by trapping it. They also secrete acids that can dissolve the stone by allowing their roots to get into the pores of the stone. These roots will swell and shrink and start to cause cracks in the stone which will eventually cause breakage and other irreversible damage.

Question 5

Is this cleaner safe?

Accepted Answer

It is non-hazardous and biodegradable. It is environmentally safe that doesn’t contain harsh salts, acids or bleach. Our cleaner is used by national institutions and private conservators to clean historic monuments and buildings by removing biological growth like mold, mildew and algae without damaging the surface. Key users include the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, which uses this cleaner for its national cemeteries and organizations like the National Park Service and the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training. It is also used by various institutions and individuals for cleaning gravestones, monuments and architectural features made from stone, brick and concrete.

Question 6

Can it be trusted?

Accepted Answer

It is pH neutral and can be used on a variety of surfaces without causing damage, including historic stone, masonry, wood and even canvas.

Question 7

How long will my headstone stay nice after cleaning?

Accepted Answer

A light application of our cleaner is applied, after the full cleaning, which helps to prevent the regrowth of biological organisms. We are happy to put the grave on an annual checkback to see how it is doing and for annual cleaner application. Each gravesite can be unique, even in the same cemetery, so exact time can be tough to estimate. Generally, though graves cleaned with our cleaner can keep them looking great for months or even years. Graves under trees, in urban and high traffic areas, and those near industrial facilities are more susceptible to pollutants.

Question 8

Products and processes we will never use.

Accepted Answer

Bleach - We will never use bleach on any of our “headstone” cleaning projects. Sodium hypochlorite contains salts that damage stone. Stone that has been ‘cleaned’ with bleach will show under close inspection erosion and yellowing.

Sand blasting – This approach can degrade the surface of the stone and begin the degradation process that can’t be reversed. Even if using soft material, it will still be too detrimental to the surface of the stone.

Pressure washing – While some pressure washing may be faster and more efficient for larger projects, cleaning headstones is a job we feel best left to be done by hand. Pressure washing over 90 psi has the potential to damage any stone that isn’t sound, increasing spalling and accelerating sugaring.

Frequently asked questions