Back-to-Routine in September: The Cleanup Visit I Make When Summer Ends

headstone cleanning in Pennsylvania | headstone cleaning in California

I’ll never forget my first September cleanup, it was 2017, and I was out in a little rural cemetary in central Pennsylvania, the kind with more deer than people. I’d spent all summer photographing headstones for a client’s family history, and I figured, hey, one more trip to tidy up the ones I’d documented. Big mistake. I showed up with a bucket, a soft brush, and a bottle of dish soap I’d grabbed from my kitchen. Thought I was being careful. Took me three tries to scrub off the soap residue that left a white, filmy haze on a 1920s marble marker. It looked worse than when I started. The family was nice about it, but I still cringe thinking about it. That was the year I learned: summer isn’t just about the heat and humidity — it’s the season that leaves the most damage. Moss, lichen, bird droppings, and that stubborn, yellowish biological film that forms on the north side of every stone. September is when you catch it before winter sets in and freezes all that moisture right into the pores. So now, every year, the first week after Labor Day, I pack my gear and head out. Not with dish soap. With the right stuff. Here’s what that routine looks like.

Why September? The Timing Is Everything

Summer’s heat and rain create a perfect storm for biological growth. Algae, lichen, moss — they thrive in warm, damp conditions. Come September, the growth is at it's peak, but the ground is still warm enough to work. More importantly, the wheather is stable. Not too hot, not too cold. You want the stone to dry fully after cleaning, and September’s lower humidity helps with that. Plus, you avoid the freeze-thaw cycle that starts in late October. If you clean a headstone in November and the water seeps into cracks, then freezes overnight, you’ve just accelerated the damage. September gives you a solid window — usually three to four weeks — to get it done safely.

My Gear List for a September Cleanup

I keep it simple. No pressure washer. No wire brushes. No harsh chemicals. Here’s what I actually bring: a 5-gallon bucket, a soft-bristle nylon brush (like a horsehair or vegetable brush — nothing stiffer), a spray bottle, microfiber cloths, and a jug of D/2 Biological Solution. That’s it. D/2 is a pH-neutral, non-ionic cleaner that kills biological growth without damaging the stone. It’s what most professional conservators use. I also bring a spray mister for pre-wetting the stone, and a soft plastic scraper for loose lichen. Oh, and a folding chair. Because my knees aren’t what they used to be. Took me years to admit that. Worth it.

The Step-by-Step: How I Clean a Headstone in September

First, I do a visual check. Look for cracks, flaking, or loose pieces. If the stone is fragile, I stop and just photograph it. No cleaning. For stable stones, I wet the surface with plain water. Then I apply D/2 — usually straight from the spray bottle, but for heavy growth I use a soft brush to work it in. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Not longer — the solution needs contact time, but you don’t want it drying on the stone. Then I gently scrub with the nylon brush, using circular motions. Rinse with plenty of clean water. For stubborn lichen, I spray again and wait another 5 minutes. Never scrape hard. If it doesn’t come off, it’s part of the stone’s history now. After rinsing, I let it air dry. That’s it. No sealants. No wax. No magic potions. Just water and a good biological cleaner.

What I Do With the Results (and Why It Matters)

Once the stone is dry, I take new photos. Same angle, same time of day if I can. Then I update my records and send the after-shots to the family or the cemetery association. For genealogists, a clean headstone isn’t just about looks — it’s about readability. I can’t tell you how many inscriptions I’ve deciphered after a good September cleaning. Names, dates, even epitaphs that were hidden under years of grime. One time, a 1903 marble marker in a New Jersey cemetery had a small carved rose that I’d never seen until after cleaning. The family had no idea it was there. That’s the payoff. That’s why I do this.

One Last Tip: Don’t Forget the Base

People focus on the top of the headstone, but the base — the part sitting in the ground — collects moisture and debris. I always clean around the base and check for standing water. If there’s a gap between the stone and the base, I don’t fill it with cement or caulk. That traps water. Instead, I just clear out leaves and dirt. A little airflow prevents future damage. Also, I never use a weed whacker near the stone. Those nylon strings can chip the edges. I hand-pull the grass. It’s slow. It’s boring. But it’s better than a chipped 1880s marble.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I use vinegar or baking soda to clean a headstone in September?

A: Please don’t. Vinegar is acidic, and baking soda is abrasive. Both can etch or scratch marble and limestone. Stick with pH-neutral cleaners like D/2. It’s not expensive, and a bottle lasts me a whole season.

Q: Do I need to seal the headstone after cleaning?

A: No. Sealing a stone traps moisture inside, which causes spalling and cracking when temperatures drop. Just clean it and let it breathe. Most cemeteries actually prohibit sealants for this reason.

Q: How often should I do a September cemetery cleanup routine?

A: Once a year is plenty, unless the stone is in a heavily shaded, damp spot. Then you might need a touch-up in spring. But for most stones, a single September cleaning keeps them readable and stable through winter.

Q: What if the headstone has lichen that looks like it’s growing into the stone?

A: Lichen can actually penetrate porous stone like sandstone. If it’s deeply embedded, don’t try to remove it. You’ll tear off the surface. Just clean the rest of the stone, and leave the lichen as a natural part of the marker’s aging. It’s not harmful to the structure.

Q: Is it okay to use a pressure washer on a granite headstone?

A: Granite is hard, but pressure washers can still blast away the patina and force water into microscopic cracks. Even on granite, I use a brush and D/2. Pressure washers are for sidewalks, not headstones. Period.