Paul; Orvus, a pure natural soap used for washing sheep, is on the approved list for cleaning grave markers.
It can be obtained from animal supply houses.
From the 23 page .pdf article Preserving Historic Cemeteries:
http://www.thc.state.tx.us/publications/guidelines/Preservecem.pdf
Before cleaning any stone, carefully check its condition. If the surface readily falls away, or you notice other conditions that indicate the stone is brittle or vulnerable, do not clean it. Cleaning may irreparably damage the surface.
The Cleaning Process
1. Use a non-ionic soap. One of the most readily available soaps is OrvusŪ, commonly used in association with horse and sheep husbandry. It can be found in feed stores. Mix a solution of one heaping tablespoon of OrvusŪ to one gallon of clean water (it comes in either liquid or paste form).
2. Pre-wet the stone thoroughly with clean water and keep the stone wet during the entire washing process.
3. Thoroughly wash the wet stone using natural bristled, wooden handled brushes of various sizes. The use of plastic handles is not recommended, as color from the handles may leave material on the stone that will be very difficult to remove.
4. Be thorough. Wash all surfaces and rinse thoroughly with lots of clean water.
5. When cleaning marble or limestone, one tablespoon of household ammonia can be added to the above mixture to help remove some greases and oils. Do not use ammonia on or near any bronze or other metal elements.
6. Lichens and algae can be removed by first thoroughly soaking the stone and then using a wooden scraper to gently remove the biological growth. This process may need to be repeated several times.
7. Not all stains can be removed. Do not expect the stones to appear new after cleaning.
8. Do not clean marble, limestone or sandstone more than once every 18 months. Every cleaning removes some of the face of the stone. However, occasionally rinsing with clean water to remove bird droppings and other accretions is acceptable.
9. Keep a simple treatment record of the cleaning, including date of cleaning, materials used and any change in condition since last cleaning (such as missing parts, graffiti and other damage). These records should be kept at a central location where the condition of the stones can be monitored over time.
Developed from data supplied by John R. Dennis, Dallas Museum of Art Conservation Lab.
http://www.thc.state.tx.us/faqs/faqcem.html#clean
Q. How do I clean my relatives' gravestones? The inscriptions are very dirty and difficult to read.
The method used for cleaning a gravestone should be carefully evaluated as to its effect on the stone. Cleaning to remove dirt and growth, such as lichen, may be necessary to read the information on the gravestone and to extend the life of the stone. Cleaning for the sake of making the stone look new is strongly discouraged. Gravestones are like antiques and should not be over-cleaned. Unnecessary or inappropriate cleaning treatments can damage historic gravestones. The use of sandblasting and other abrasive cleaning methods should not be used. These methods will permanently remove a layer of the stone, as well as part of the inscription and detailing. See Preserving Historic Cemeteries for information on the best method for cleaning gravestones.
Q. I am trying to record information from some old gravestones but it is difficult to read the information. What is the best method to use to clearly read the information?
Contrary to popular belief, spreading shaving cream across the lettering is not recommended to help read the inscription and/or decoration on old gravestones. Shaving cream contains chemicals and greasy emollients that may soak into the porous stone. Rainwater will not wash the shaving cream from the recessed areas.
We recommend the use of a mirror or shiny metal to direct sunlight onto the face of the gravestone to read the information on the stone. A natural soft bristle brush may be used to remove dirt from the face of a stable stone. If the face of the stone is not stable, any cleaning may cause pieces of the stone to become loose and therefore damage the gravestone. Sometimes the use of a squirt bottle with water can be used to read the stone. The information can be read as the water evaporates off the surface of the stone.
Janet Crain
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Drake" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 4:32 PM
Subject: Re: Buried tombstone in tree stump
My friend in the stone and monument business now these 30 years has told me that whether or not shaving cream is acceptable for that purpose depends entirely on whether or not it is more than soap and a propellant (mild soap is acceptable) and what kind of stone it is. He further relates that plain soap made without lye (like most shaving creams), if rinsed away after the reading effort, is not harmful to any stone of which monuments are currently made. Indeed, he tells, most headstones would last longer with such occasional washings since the acids from auto exhausts is very destructive of most monuments. Paul
----- Original Message -----
From: Jigsaw Genealogy
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 3:42 PM
Subject: Buried tombstone in tree stump
Interesting article but I literally cringed when the "local history
enthusiast" (who happened to be the president of the cemetery board) used
shaving cream on the stone to read the engraving. AARRGGHH!!!
Mary Beth Dalton
Jigsaw Genealogy
Williamsburg, VA
[log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Paul Drake" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, June 26, 2005 10:10 AM
Subject: Fw: Check it out...
>From Diane Peters
Folks,
I think all of us have had the frustration of trying to find a missing
tombstone or tiny cemetery. Please go to this link:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14755961&BRD=1719&PAG=461&dept_id=25271&rfi=6It's about the headstone of a Martha J. Mahan who died Aug. 13, 1854. Theheadstone was found recently in the middle of a huge tree that had to betaken down due to wind damage. So the next time you can't find thattombstone, grab an axe & start swinging at the neareat good sized tree!To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions athttp://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html
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