DEAR SUN SPOTS: With Memorial Day upon us, I was wondering if you had a recipe for cleaning headstones in the cemetery? — No Name, No Town.

ANSWER: Headstones can become covered in everything from dirt, mold and moss to bird droppings and salt deposits. Despite their often polished look, gravestones are also made of porous materials, which means they can, and will, stain over time when not cared for. While cleaning headstones may sound like a simple enough thing, taking the time and effort to care for the grave markers properly is imperative to preserving their message into the future — even cleaning can have unintended results, potentially causing damage to the stone in the long term.

First, never use any form of power washing equipment. Stick to soft, non-abrasive cloths or cleaning brushes, and use a gentle touch when washing the stone’s surface. Aggressive scrubbing may seem necessary, but you can inadvertently damage the stone by grinding particles of hard materials (like dirt) against its surface.

Second, because headstones are made from a variety of types of stone (marble, granite, sandstone, etc.), it is always a good idea to test whatever cleaning solution you are planning on using on the material prior to cleaning to make sure the cleaning agent will not react with the stone and cause damage.

Some other advice: Avoid bleach products. Try to stick with solutions that have as close as possible to neutral pH. Cleaners should be biodegradable and non-toxic.

There are actually commercial products available for cleaning headstones and you can often find them at home and garden centers. When using those kinds of cleaners, be sure to follow the manufacturers directions. 

Because stones are porous, it’s important to pre-wet the stone before applying cleaning solutions. This will keep the cleaner on the surface of the stone where it is needed. Clean the stone using small circular motions. Rinse each area as you clean it to prevent the cleaning agent from drying on the stone. Once you are finished cleaning the surface area, thoroughly rinse the stone a final time.

A number of cemetery and historical organizations have information online about cleaning stones, including some stone-type-specific instructions. There is much more information available than what Sun Spots has room to print, so she recommends keeping the above general guidelines in mind, but adding to your knowledge base by typing “cleaning headstones” into your favorite search engine and perusing the results.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Don’t throw out your planters that are in good shape. Please donate them to the What-Not-Shop so we can reuse them in the Briar Patch Greenhouse in the spring. Thank you. — Tammy, Rumford.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m wondering if anyone would have a folding card table or other type of folding table that is the size of a card table or smaller that they no longer need? I don’t really care what it looks like as long as it is sturdy. I don’t mind painting it or putting a new cover on it. Please call Anita at (207) 782-5118. Thank you. — Anita, Auburn.

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