How To Clean Headstones and Graves with Wet & Forget
Visiting a loved one’s grave is an important way to show respect and keep their memory alive. But with time, moss and mould can take over the headstone, obscuring the important details inscribed there. Regular cleaning is essential to prevent this, but harsh chemical cleaners can damage the stone. That's why Wet & Forget Original is the ideal solution – it's bleach-free and gentle, yet tough on moss, mould and other organic growths.
What Stains To Look Out For On Gravestones
Every headstone, whether limestone, marble or granite, is susceptible to organic growth. All it takes is a combination of sunshine and moisture and before you know it, lichens, moss, mould, mildew and algae start to appear.
Lichen
Lichen, a flat, leaf-like growth that attaches firmly to the surface, comes in a range of colours, typically red, yellow, brown, or green. Its hard, crusty appearance can quickly thicken and obscure the engravings on a headstone.
Moss
This soft, green growth may not appear as hardy as lichen, but it can rapidly spread across a headstone, covering engravings and potentially causing the stone to crack or crumble.
Mould + Mildew
Dark patches on headstones are often caused by mould, a slippery, foul-smelling growth that is usually accompanied by white or grey mildew. Both thrive in shady areas.
Algae
Finally, algae, caused by high moisture levels and sunlight exposure, can also affect headstones. It appears in various forms, from slippery or smooth green algae to a black, soot-like substance.
How To Remove Organic Growths With Wet & Forget
To stop lichen, moss, mould or algae from ruining the appearance of your loved one’s headstone, these growths must be adequately removed. That’s where Wet & Forget Original comes in. This non-caustic, non-acidic and bleach-free solution, is the perfect product to eliminate these growths without damaging the stone or surrounding area. Say goodbye to these unsightly growths in a few simple steps:
- Choose a cool, dry day to apply the product, when no rain is forecast for at least 5 hours. For the best results, apply the product in the early morning or evening. This minimises evaporation, allowing the treated surface to stay wetter for longer and maximise the product's effectiveness.
- In a garden sprayer, mix 1 part concentrate with 5 parts water.
- Saturate the dry concrete, covering the entire surface you want to clean.
- If cleaning lichen, respray the surface whilst it’s still damp (around 15 minutes after your first spray). The first application dissolves the lichen’s waxy surface and the second penetrates the roots.
- You’re all done! Our clever formula works with Mother Nature as the weathering helps remove the decomposing organic matter.
To make the job even easier, try our Ready-To-use Formula which comes with a fitted spray nozzle and can cover a 7-21m2 area with ease.
How Long Will Wet & Forget Take To Work?
The time it takes for the headstone to become clean varies depending on the type, extent of the growth AND how much rainfall there is to wash the dead growth away. Light green growths like algae may take up to a week, while heavier mould growth can take up to three months. For growths that have been developing for several years, a second application after six months may be necessary to speed up the process.
As Wet & Forget begins to work, you'll often see a visible reaction. For example, moss may turn brown and curly before it detaches from the surface. The results may not be immediate, but the advantage of our gentle formula is that it effectively removes unsightly stains without damaging the gravestone, as you can see from these photos.
Why Is Wet & Forget Better Than Bleach At Removing Growths?
Using bleach and a scrubbing brush on a loved one’s headstone can cause irreversible damage. While your intentions are good, the harshness of these tools can strip the stone's outer layer, cause staining, or even weaken its structure. Even using a scrubbing brush with soapy water can have similar damaging effects due to the abrasive contact. That's why it's best to choose a biodegradable product like Wet & Forget to clean the grave safely and effectively.
Bleach can also kill surrounding grass and plants, disrupting not only your loved one’s resting place but also potentially neighbouring graves. This makes it even more important to choose a safe and efficient solution like Wet & Forget to remove any unwanted growths.
Ready to Clean?
We hope this article has given you a better idea about how to keep your loved one’s grave clean. If you have any more questions, don't hesitate to contact us using our online forum. If you’ve spotted some growths and are ready to clean, find your closest retailer using our Store Locator or buy online today.
Why You Shouldn’t Use Bleach and A Scrubbing Brush
Using bleach and a scrubbing brush can destroy your loved one’s headstone. Although your intentions will be good, the harsh intensity of all these tools will ultimately remove the outer layer of the stone, cause staining, or weaken the stone from within.
Even if you use a scrubbing brush with soapy water, the harsh, direct contact may still lead to similar damage. That is why it’s best to use a biodegradable product such as Wet & Forget to clean the grave safely.
In addition to the potential damage on the stone itself, using bleach can additionally kill the surrounding grass and plants - which will not only disrupt your loved one’s resting place but can also disturb the neighbouring graves. With that in mind, it becomes even more essential to remove any growths in the safest and most efficient way possible.
Tips for Application
As mentioned earlier, you’ll want to choose a cool, dry day to apply the product. That means checking the weather forecast and selecting a day that has little wind and no prediction of rain (or at least not for the first five hours after application). Many people find that it’s easiest to apply the product in the morning or evening when the temperature is at its lowest. Ensuring these cooler temperatures will prevent the product from evaporating too quickly.
Once you’ve applied the product, it’s a good idea to take a note of the date of application. Keeping a record will help to ensure that you repeat the process in a year to ensure that the stone remains growth-free.
Another useful tip is to remove debris such as leaves from the headstone. Doing so helps to ensure that the product will go directly on the growth.
How Long Does it Take to Work?
Depending on the growth, it will take varying amounts of time until the headstone becomes clean. Generally, light green growths such as algae will take up to a week while large amounts of mould can take up to three months.
If the growths have been developing for several years, you may want to re-apply the product after six months to help speed up the process.
As the product begins to work, you’ll sometimes start to see a visible reaction take place. For instance, before moss detaches from the surface, it usually will go brown and curly.
Decorating the Grave
After the grave is free from nasty growths, you may become more inspired to decorate the area. Possible ideas include:
- Leaving flowers (real or fake) near the headstone.
- Placing a wind chime by the grave.
- Leaving special photos or notes - but make sure to pin them down.
- Adding seasonal flags.
Before adding any decorations, it’s crucial to check with the regulations relevant to that particular cemetery.