Heading off to Northern Illinois and Northeast Wisconsin to inspect and clean some relatives markers. I will not get any objections from these relatives.
Last time we visited, we noted they needed some cleaning. Unfortunately we were not ready with the right equipment.
This time we are ready.
I read a few articles about cleaning grave markers / headstones and compiled a list of supplies I need to work on cleaning these stones.
My initial efforts will be to work on them without a bunch of scrubbing. That may work, it may not. I will publish another article after we complete our cleaning effort to share what works, what does not and how we need to modify our efforts if needed.
My initial supply and tool list:
- Flat edge shovel – sharpened – great for trimming grass from edges of headstone and / or markers
- small serrated knife or machete to cut grass from stone perimeter
- Grave marker probe – see recent article
- 5 gallon bucket(s) to haul water
- Flat plastic scraper (3″ and 1″) – will not scratch stone or bronze
- Bamboo wooden skewers – clean detail – softer than metal or stone
- Bristle brush – short nap
- Tire brush – longer handle / softer bristles
- Pump sprayer 1 gallon ideal
- D/2 Cleaning Agent – this was highly recommended
- Wet It and Forget It – cleaning agent
- Wisk broom
- Hand Trimmer for grass
- Bag of Gravel to level / raise marker stones
- Tamper for gravel leveling (I will use a chunk of 4×4 deck post)
- Safety Glasses – chemical protection
- Gloves – chemical resistant
- Knee pads – getting old!
- Leaf blower to clean around area – leave it better than when you arrived
- or a Rake to clean up site
- Plastic Contractor Large Bags for debris
- Drinking Water – it sounds like it will be hot!
This is my initial tool list. We will be going to multiple cemeteries to work on multiple family ancestors graves. I am sure we will have forgotten something and will have time to correct as we go along.
Will update this article once we complete our clean up!
Hope this is helpful!
