I am sharing here a link to my results from searching "Google" with the phrase "Properly Cleaning Gravestones"
My search produces a seemingly endless cascading listing with what I would deem as generalized recommendations for properly cleaning gravestones. Most results I feel can be considered as a helpful first step, however, the final determination if a gravestone should or could be cleaned lies in the hands of the person who is in front of the stone with their tools and cleaners in hand at the ready to either refrain from cleaning the stone or going ahead with the task.
Yes, gravestone cleaning methods matter and so does making the choice not to clean because once a gravestone is damaged the damage will most likely be irreversible. If we are to keep with one simple thought it would be: "Less is More -- So If In Doubt Don't."
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I also did a simple search at the website of the National Center for Preservation Technology and Training that is most often shown as simply "NCPTT".
I did a simple search for the single word "Cemetery" and that produced 2,890 results in less in just 29 seconds!
NCPTT is a 'gold standard' resource with the most appropriate recommendations for "DO NO HARM" Best Practices that someone can adhere to for their decisions regarding cleaning a gravestone, or doing any other work in a cemetery for that matter.
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Sharing below handy and helpful information to help ensure we leave a gravestone in better condition than when we found it - for today and for many years to come.
(Above graphic created by Lisa Williams)
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