Clean a granite headstone with plenty of clean water and a soft-bristle brush — nothing more. Never use bleach, wire brushes, or a pressure washer. Granite is among the most durable materials a memorial can be made from, but the polish, the engraving, and any painted lettering are finish work, and harsh cleaning destroys finish work first. The gentlest method is also the correct one.
We have been making and installing granite memorials in Reno since 1979, and much of the damage we are asked to repair comes not from weather but from well-meaning cleaning. Here is the method we recommend for the stones we make — including everything in our gallery — and for any granite memorial you care for.
How do you clean a granite headstone step by step?
- Wet the stone thoroughly. Saturate the granite with plenty of clean water before any scrubbing, so grit lifts away instead of grinding across the surface.
- Scrub gently with a soft-bristle brush. Work in light, even strokes with a soft-bristle brush, keeping both the stone and the brush wet the whole time. Let the water do the work.
- Rinse generously. Flush the stone with plenty of clean water to carry away everything the brush loosened. Residue left behind attracts new soiling.
- Blot and air dry. Blot standing water with a clean towel and let the stone finish drying in the air.
That is the whole method. If a stain does not come off with water and a soft brush, resist the urge to reach for something stronger — read on for why, and when to bring in a professional instead.
What should you never use on a headstone?
| Never use | Why it damages the stone |
|---|---|
| Bleach, ammonia, vinegar, household cleaners | They drive salts into the stone, where they can crystallize and cause damage from within long after the surface looks clean. |
| Wire brushes, scouring pads, abrasives | They scratch the polished surface. A polish is ground and buffed into the granite at the shop — it cannot be wiped back on at the cemetery. |
| Pressure washers | They force water deep into the grain of the stone and can destabilize older monuments. |
If you are choosing a stone and wondering how different granites hold up, our granite and materials guide walks through the options — from Sierra White, our standard, to the full range of blacks, grays, and earth tones.
What about lichen, moss, and biological growth?
Lichen and moss root into the surface of stone, and pulling or scraping them off dry tends to take stone with them. Conservators and monument professionals use purpose-made biological cleaners formulated for memorial stone — the wrong chemical can do more harm than the growth itself. If a memorial in your family has significant growth, or if you are unsure what you are looking at, call a professional before touching it. We are happy to advise — 775-323-1835.
How do you care for a bronze marker?
The same restraint applies to bronze memorials and plaques: a gentle wash with clean water, no abrasives of any kind. Bronze develops a patina — a gradual deepening of its color — as it ages. That patina is natural, not damage, and it is part of how bronze is meant to look over a lifetime.
When should you call a professional?
Call before you experiment. If water and a soft brush have not solved it, stronger measures belong in experienced hands — especially on older stones, where cleaning mistakes are permanent.
For older monuments, we offer restoration, repainting, and re-staining — contact us for a quote. And if the memorial is one we made, know that our painted surfaces carry a 10-year warranty and our ceramic and porcelain memorial photos carry a lifetime warranty, so call us first at 775-323-1835 before paying anyone for a repair. You can read more about how we work on our about page.
Questions families ask
Can I use bleach or vinegar to clean a headstone?
No. Bleach, ammonia, vinegar, and household cleaners drive salts into the stone, where they can do lasting damage from within. Clean water and a soft-bristle brush are all a granite memorial needs.
Is a pressure washer safe on a granite headstone?
No. A pressure washer forces water deep into the grain of the stone and can destabilize older monuments. Rinse generously with clean water instead.
How often should a headstone be cleaned?
There is no set schedule. Because water and a soft brush are gentle on granite, you can clean whenever the stone looks soiled — many families simply tidy the memorial when they visit.
Do you restore or repaint older monuments?
Yes. We offer restoration, repainting, and re-staining for older memorials — call 775-323-1835 for a quote. Painted surfaces on our own work carry a 10-year warranty.