Outdoor Monument Cleaning Tips

When searching for monuments in Blount County and East Tennessee, we are happy to be helping you with our services. We provide professional cleaning and restoration services for stone monuments and signs in East Tennessee. However, here are some helpful outdoor monument cleaning tips to help you bridge the gap.

Cleaning Granite

When cleaning a granite monument or sign, a non-ionic detergent cleaner is usually the best option. These chemicals are electrically neutral cleaning agents that neither contain nor contribute to the formation of soluble salts. They are neither soapy nor do they affect pH.  In general, they have been proven to provide a better overall wetting of the surface of the stone than other detergents. As a result, non-ionic detergent cleaners produce better results in the removal of general soiling.

Once you have grabbed your detergent, and the cleaner you are ready to gather the following supplies:

• Soft bristle brush

• 1 oz of non-ionic detergent to 5 gallons of water in a bucket

• Cleaning gloves

• Sponge or soft cloth

• Large spray bottle with clean water

Directions

1. First, use a spray bottle to wet the granite with clean water soaking the granite structure.

2. Then, using the soft brush, apply the cleaning solution to the monument using a circular motion.

3. Start cleaning at the bottom and work your way to the top to avoid streaking. Avoid areas where there is flaking or scratching

4. Again, using the spray bottle, clean and rinse small sections at a time so the detergent doesn’t dry on the granite.

Marble Touch Ups

When cleaning a marble monument or sign, an ammonia cleaner is the best option. For everyday cleaning indoors ammonia isn’t advised on marble. However, on an outdoor marble feature or monument, ammonia can be needed. Getting the ammonia diluted correctly is a major key to successful marble cleaning.

In addition to an ammonia cleaner, the following supplies are required:

• Soft cloth

• Household cleaning ammonia diluted with water using a 1:4 ratio

• Cleaning gloves

• Soft sponge

• Large spray bottle with clean water

Directions

1. First, use a spray bottle of clean water to wet the marble to soak the outdoor marble structure.

2. Then, with the soft cloth, use the cleaning solution on the monument in gentle circular motions. Start cleaning at the bottom and work your way to the top to avoid streaking. Avoid areas where there is flaking or scratching.

3. Clean and rinse small sections at a time so the cleaning solution doesn’t dry on the marble.

Simple Bronze Touch-up

Like with granite, a mild non-ionic detergent can be used to clean a bronze monument. Bronze is not porous, though, so there is no need to wet it down before applying the cleaner. Furthermore, bronze is a copper alloy so a copper cleaner will work beautifully on bronze also.

After choosing your detergent, the cleaner gathers the following supplies:

• Soft bristle brush

• Cleaning gloves

• Soft cloth

• Large spray bottle with just a few drops of liquid detergent diluted in water

Directions

1. Spray the bronze with the above detergent and water cleaning solution. Immediately begin wiping away dirt and debris with a soft cloth. 

2. Use the bronze cleaner and soft brush according to product directions to remove stubborn grime.

3. Rinse the marker completely once satisfied.

If you would like to schedule a more intensive and professional clean or have any questions, contact us here.