Guest guest Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 I bet Castile liquid soap with orange oil would do a beautiful job using as soft brush to apply, wait a few min and then rinse. Try it because this is a guess. Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2004 Report Share Posted July 21, 2004 This comes from a person who spent a lot of time in graveyards growing up searching for ancestors' headstones. I would be really careful using ANYTHING on stones that old until you know what kind of stones they are. IF they are made of sandstone, for instance, even plain water will dissolve them. My totally unknowledgeable suggestion is a dry brush. Maybe you could talk to someone at your local library. they might be able to put you in touch with a preservationist who can help you. You can always do a rubbing of the gravestone. Put a piece of paper over the top and rub it with a piece of chalk or a crayon or a pencil (a dull one). that might be easier to read than the gravestone. Anyway, just throwing out ideas. HTH some J I have a strange request and I know it but figured I would ask for help I have been ask to create something to clean tombstones with There is a large family reunion happening in August in our family and some of the tombstones goes back to the late 1770's there seems to be mold or mildew maybe lichens on some of them. I have been ask if there is anything than I can put together to clean them that would not hurt the stones or do any thing to the fragile environment they are found in a very old cemetery in South western Penn and I had to have a boost from my some just to get up the hill and family names so there is going to be a clean up day and I would like to help. Thanks Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2004 Report Share Posted July 22, 2004 Hi Barbara. I would suggest using Muriatic Acid.You can find it in most hardware type stores.My Grandfather used to use it.If you decide to use it make sure you wear rubber gloves. I remember him using a toothbrush and dipping it in the acid and applying to stone.Perhaps you could test it on a small piece of the stone to make sure it doesn't damage the tombstone. HTH Blessings, Jet ************************************************************************ I have a strange request and I know it but figured I would ask for help I have been ask to create something to clean tombstones with Thanks Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2004 Report Share Posted July 22, 2004 I found this: HYPERLINK " http://www.ctgravestones.com/Conservation/cleaning.htm " http://www.ctgra vestones.com/Conservation/cleaning.htm, hope it helps! Virginia -----Original Message----- I have a strange request and I know it but figured I would ask for help I have been ask to create something to clean tombstones with There is a large family reunion happening in August in our family and some of the tombstones goes back to the late 1770's there seems to be mold or mildew maybe lichens on some of them. I have been ask if there is anything than I can put together to clean them that would not hurt the stones or do any thing to the fragile environment they are found in a very old cemetery in South western Penn and I had to have a boost from my some just to get up the hill and family names so there is going to be a clean up day and I would like to help. Thanks Barb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 22, 2004 Report Share Posted July 22, 2004 > I have been ask to create something to clean tombstones with Hello, Most 'old' tombstones are made from limestone or marble, which are in the same family. Any type of acid, including lemon or orange oil, will etch or eat away the stone. Fortunately, there has been A LOT of research done on this issue in England because many of their old buildings were built with the same materials and they are trying to preserve them without hurting the environment. Here's an easy link that should give you some simple & effective answers: http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyhende2/CleaningTips.htm HTH Yoshi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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