Memorial Cleaning: Your questions answered
Written by: Richard Whale
Published: 11th March 2026
One of the services that J.Gumbrill offers is the sympathetic restoration of existing monuments, including cleaning. Here, our Monumental Mason, Richard, answers some of the questions we are asked most frequently.
- Why does a memorial need to be cleaned?
Of course, cleaning improves the appearance of a memorial, bringing it back to life and returning it to how it looked when it was erected. But it can also help maintain the integrity of the inscription and other detailing. This is especially true of porous stones, which form algae. If these are left unattended, paint within an inscription can ‘blow’ or flake and, in extreme examples, the growth of algae or lichen can actually disturb the positioning of filled letters and force them out of the stone’s face as they grow under it. The choice of a stone of this type (especially marble memorials) should therefore only be made with an understanding that regular cleaning should be considered essential maintenance.
- When is a good time to arrange for the memorial to be cleaned?
It depends on the nature of the proposed work, but Spring and Summer tend to be the best times. Cleaning the stone requires its face to be dry and then for good weather to follow for the process to be most effective. It’s also probably the case that a clean at this time of year is when you will see the biggest impact of the work, because over winter the memorial may have felt the impact of bad weather. In windy and rainy conditions, as we usually get at that time of year, the monument can show water markings. Also, falling leaves or berries can cause staining.
- How is the memorial cleaned?
All cleans start with a free site visit to appraise the memorial’s condition to enable J.Gumbrill to provide a no-obligation quotation and advise if there is any other remedial work we would recommend at this same time.
Once we are given the go-ahead to proceed, we will monitor weather conditions to ensure the stone has dried out and is likely to be protected while the process is being carried out.
Excess debris is brushed away, and the stone is then sanded to remove more stubborn stains or discolouration. A bespoke cleaning solution will be added and then be left to dry onto the stone. We will return to rinse this and then carry out any other restoration work which we have been asked to do.
When we initially appraise the monument, we will include an assessment of whether the work can be done on-site or if it would be better to remove it: this depends on a variety of factors, including the stone’s material, the method that was used to inscribe it and its overall condition. For example, if there is a need to replace a lot of filled lettering, this is a lengthy process, and so it’s better to do this inside rather than relying on a long spell of good weather.
- Can I clean a memorial myself?
You can, but the true answer is less straightforward. The first thing to bear in mind is that you have to be careful. Once a stone is older, it might be quite easy to dislodge a letter or scrub paint off. If you do want to go ahead, we recommend using nothing more abrasive than a soft brush and dilute domestic washing-up liquid. Even this may be too abrasive for slate memorials, when we would suggest you just use a cloth.
If you are intending to clean a memorial little and often (for example, most weeks), you may be able to maintain it to a fair standard. However, if your efforts are less regular, then it’s unlikely that a periodic clean by you will achieve the results we can. This is for several reasons:
- Lack of proper equipment: we have exactly the right tools for the job.
- Lack of experience: we can tell how much pressure can be brought to bear on a particular memorial or what is likely to have caused the damage we might see, and can respond accordingly.
- Emotional sensitivity: it’s likely that you will be cleaning a memorial which has personal resonance for you, as will those who it is commemorating. It might be that the best thing for it is a relatively hard scrub- how are you going to feel doing this? Also, a thorough clean can require close proximity to the burial plot, which may also feel difficult for you in a way that it won’t for someone who can maintain professional detachment.
- I see online companies washing memorials with jet washes. That looks quick and easy- but it’s not what you do- why?
It may well be quick and easy, but no, we don’t recommend it. It’s a less skilled way of cleaning and can be counterproductive. You risk dislodging lettering, damaging painted surfaces and, at the extreme, eroding the surface of the memorial itself, which can make it more susceptible to future damage. The results can be remarkable, but we would ask you to consider if this potential damage is worth it, considering the possible implications for the memorial’s ongoing integrity.
The renovation work we can carry out can be truly remarkable. Cleaning the headstone can make such a difference to its appearance. Why not visit the renovations page of our website to see just a small selection of Before and After images. If you have a memorial that you might like to be cleaned or otherwise restored, please get in touch and we will carry out a site visit to provide a free and no-obligation quotation.
Thanks for your time, Richard.
