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Water-only is best way to clean gravestones
Donna-Mae Bean’s letter (Aug. 24) regarding the importance of teaching children about gravestones, their genealogical, historical and artistic value is certainly correct. Many teachers incorporate cemetery information in their teaching, and that can be an important step in accomplishing Bean’s aims.
An important comment to add, as she refers to the Aug. 13 photo of Christopher and Scott Mairs cleaning a gravestone, is that is is very important to know what you are doing when you clean a gravestone.
They are cleaning a granite stone, and that is a very strong stone and will likely not be damaged by what they are doing.
However, no gravestone should be cleaned without evaluating its condition.
Marble, slate and granite gravestones that are stable enough are all best cleaned with only water. Only soft bristle brushes should be used, and it is best to clean a stone from the bottom up.
Never allow any cleaning material to dry on a gravestone, and be sure that there is an ample supply of water before you begin any gravestone cleaning project.
More information regarding cleaning gravestones is in the fall newsletter of the Maine Old Cemetery Association and on the website of the Association for Gravestones Studies.
Cheryl Willis Patten, president
Maine Old Cemetery Association
Smithfield
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