NO!

But, you really want to, don’t you? Great Aunt Tillie’s marker is so covered with moss that you can’t read the inscription any more. And cousin Maude’s, on the other side of the cemetery under the old oak tree is all spotted with black mildew. Not to mention the lichen.

No matter how gently a marble gravestone is cleaned, it will be damaged! And, because we live in Oregon where most of us on the west side of the Cascades have webbed feet from all the rain, no matter what we do our gravestones will "grow" moss, mildew and lichen.

Some will argue that the biological growths will eventually damage the marble anyway. This is true, but it will take so long you and I won’t be around to tell. But the damage you can do will be noticeable in a few years.

If the gravestone is so covered with moss or lichen that it can no longer be read, there is only one method approved for removing it:

1. During the rainiest part of the year, on yet another rainy day, take a lot of water with you and go to the cemetery.

2. With a gloved hand or soft cloth, gently wipe away the moss and/or lichen.

3. If necessary, remove moss or lichen from the carving with a soft-bristled brush or toothbrush.

4. Thoroughly rinse the stone with the water you brought.

The OHCA no longer recommends cleaning any gravestone with any chemical.

The most important things to remember about cleaning marble stones are:

	Don’t.
	If you must clean a marble gravestone, just use water -- and lots of it.
	Never use anything harder than a soft-bristled brush. Wire brushes are NEVER acceptable.
	Never use chlorine bleach or other household cleaning products.
	Everything you take off (except particles of stone) will return.