Losing a relative is a very sad time in our lives and we want to ensure that they are remembered by way of a great headstone. Headstones can be crafted from assorted materials which allow there to be a beacon in their final resting place. Many of us inadvertently neglect the headstone once our relative has been laid to rest. Carry on reading to discover some of the best ways available in caring for your headstone.

The care that the headstone needs largely depends on the material that it is made from. The most common materials used for headstones nowadays are marble, granite and bronze. For marble and granite headstones, keeping them clean is a relatively easy task. The headstone can be gently cleaned with a solution made of 50% water and 50% bleach. Soak the headstone with the solution using a paper towel.

Once you have applied the solution, you need to allow it to soak in. The general rule of thumb is that you let the solution do its magic for at least 30 minutes. After this time, take some clean, ordinary water and wipe away all of the residue. This will leave the headstone clean and fresh.

If your loved one has a bronze headstone then the situation may be completely different. As bronze is made up of different metals, it is important to know what percentage of what metals are present in your relative’s bronze headstone. It is possible find this out from the company you purchased the headstone from.

If you do feel it is necessary to clean the bronze headstone, then you can do so with a mild solution. Take 8 ounces of plain water and mix it with one tablespoon of ivory soap. Take a small nail brush and briskly rub the solution into the headstone. Rinse with plain water and repeat the process if necessary. Finally, rinse with distilled water and then polish it to make the headstone gleam again.

You can purchase ready-made kits that are designed to clean dirty headstones. These are generally inexpensive and can easily be found from online sources. By ensuring that your loved one’s headstone is clean and visible, you can make sure that their memory is never forgotten.

Before you buy any granite headstone online or offline, make sure you read Tom Tree’s excellent tips on purchasing a granite gravestone.