Why I Stopped Putting Shaving Cream on Headstones (And What I Use Now)

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I still remember the first time I found my great-great-grandmother's headstone. It was a humid July afternoon in an old cemetary near Springfield, Illinois. The stone was a simple gray marble slab, completely swallowed by moss and lichen. I could barely make out the name "Margaret" under a crust of green and black. I knelt down, heart pounding, and thought, 'I have to clean this. Now.' So I did what any well-meaning beginner does. I grabbed a can of Barbasol from my car. Big mistake. Took me three tries to even get the shaving cream to stick to the damp stone. Then I scrubbed with a stiff brush. The lichen came off, sure. But so did a fine layer of stone. I didn't realize it until later, when the cleaned spots looked rough and faded compared to the untouched areas. That was my wake-up call. I started reading everything I could find about headstone care. And I learned something that changed everything: shaving cream headstones damage debunked isn't just a catchy phrase—it's a real warning that too many people ignore.

The Old Way: Shaving Cream and Why It Seemed Like a Good Idea

Let's be honest. Shaving cream is cheap, foamy, and easy to carry. I used it for years on family stones, and I know alot of you do too. The logic is simple: you spray it on, let it sit, scrub, and rinse. It lifts dirt. It smells okay. And it's not bleach. But here's the problem. Shaving cream is an alkaline product. Most brands have a pH around 9 or 10. That's harsh for stone. Marble and limestone are calcium-based. Alkaline cleaners react with calcium. Over time, they eat away at the surface. You won't see it immediately, but after a few cleanings, the stone gets pitted. The lettering gets fuzzy. The polished finish turns dull. Plus, the foam residue can get trapped in cracks and pores, attracting more biological growth. I've seen stones that were cleaned with shaving cream for decades—they look like sandpaper. The names are barely readable. So while it's not as bad as using bleach or acid, it's still not safe long-term. I stopped using it after my third cleaning session with Barbasol. The stone felt rougher each time. Never again.

What I Use Now: D/2 Biological Solution and Soft Bristles

After months of research and talking to a conservator at a local historical society, I switched to D/2 Biological Solution. It's a pH-neutral, non-ionic cleaner. No harsh chemicals. It's specifically made for headstones. I buy it online in a gallon jug for about $50. Lasts me a year or more. Here's my routine. First, I wet the stone with a garden sprayer. Plain water. Then I spray D/2 directly onto the moss, lichen, and dirt. I let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Not too long—it's not a soak. Then I use a soft nylon bristle brush (like a dish brush or a soft scrub brush from the hardware store). I scrub gently in circles. The stuff works like magic. The biological growth just lifts off. No scraping, no pressure. Then I rinse thoroughly with water. That's it. No damage. No residue. The stone looks clean but not unnatural. It still has it's patina. The lettering stays sharp. I've cleaned about 30 stones with D/2 now. My great-great-grandmother's stone looks better than it has in 50 years. And I don't worry about ruining it. For stubborn stains, I sometimes use a plastic scraper (like a putty knife) to lift thick lichen, but only after the D/2 has softened it. Never metal. Never wire brushes. Those scratch the stone permanently.

A Side-by-Side Comparison: Shaving Cream vs. D/2

Let's put them head-to-head. Shaving cream: cheap (about $3 a can), easy to find, and quick to apply. But it's alkaline, leaves residue, can cause surface erosion over time, and doesn't kill biological growth—it just scrubs it off. D/2: costs more upfront ($50 a gallon), but you use so little that it's actually cheaper per stone. It's pH-neutral, non-ionic, biodegradable, and kills moss, lichen, and algae at the cellular level. No scrubbing required for most growth. It also prevents regrowth for months. I've tested both on the same cemetery. With shaving cream, I had to re-clean stones every 6-8 weeks. With D/2, I'm only cleaning once a year. The time savings alone is worth it. The only downside is that D/2 works best above 50°F, so you can't use it in winter. But I plan my cleanings for spring and fall anyway. Shaving cream works in any temperature, but that doesn't matter if it's slowly destroying the stone. For me, the choice is clear. I'd rather spend a bit more and protect the history than save a few bucks and watch my ancestors' names disappear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can shaving cream cause permanent damage to marble headstones?

A: Yes, it can. Shaving cream is alkaline (pH 9-10), and marble is calcium carbonate. Over repeated cleanings, the alkaline reacts with the calcium, causing surface erosion, pitting, and loss of detail. It's not as fast as acid, but the damage accumulates. That's why the phrase 'shaving cream headstones damage debunked' is importent—people think it's harmless because it's gentle on skin, but stone is different. Use a pH-neutral cleaner like D/2 instead.

Q: Is shaving cream safe for granite headstones?

A: Granite is much harder and less reactive than marble or limestone, so shaving cream won't damage it chemically. But it can leave a soapy residue that attracts dirt and biological growth over time. You'll end up cleaning more often. For granite, a pH-neutral cleaner or even just water and a soft brush works fine. Skip the shaving cream altogether.

Q: What's the best way to remove lichen from a headstone without damaging it?

A: Use a biological cleaner like D/2 Solution. Spray it on, let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then gently scrub with a soft nylon brush. The lichen will lift off easily. For thick growth, you can use a plastic scraper after the cleaner has softened it. Never use metal tools, wire brushes, or pressure washers. Those will scratch or chip the stone.

Q: How often should I clean a headstone with D/2?

A: Once a year is usually enough, unless the stone is in a very damp, shady area. D/2 kills biological growth and prevents regrowth for months. I clean my family stones every spring, and they stay clean through fall. Over-cleaning can also cause wear, so stick to annual cleanings unless you see heavy new growth.

Q: Can I make my own headstone cleaner at home instead of buying D/2?

A: I don't recommend it. Most DIY recipes use vinegar, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide. Vinegar is acidic and etches marble and limestone. Baking soda is abrasive. Hydrogen peroxide can bleach colored stone. Commercial products like D/2 are formulated to be safe and effective. Trust me, I tried homemade mixes early on—they either didn't work or caused damage. Spend the $50. It's worth it.