Headstone Cleaning at Provo City Cemetery

Provo City Cemetery's older sections contain a significant number of granite and marble markers — both materials that are especially vulnerable to biological growth. Granite's natural pores give lichen and algae a foothold that deepens over years; marble's softer surface etches easily when organic acids from biological growth are left in contact with it.

Utah's dramatic temperature swings accelerate the problem. Lichen spores that find their way into surface pores in fall are pushed deeper by the expansion and contraction of stone through freeze-thaw cycles each winter — making them progressively harder to remove without professional-grade cleaning solutions.

The cemetery's mature trees create additional shade across many sections. While shade is beautiful, it also means more moisture retention — shaded stones dry out more slowly after rain or irrigation, giving biological growth a persistently damp environment to thrive in.

DIY cleaning attempts often make things worse. Household cleaners like bleach and vinegar are acidic and can permanently etch stone surfaces. Wire brushes and stiff scrubbing pads scratch and pit the face of the marker. Pressure washers force water into micro-cracks at pressures the stone wasn't designed to withstand. Professional cleaning with D/2 Biological Solution — the only method endorsed by the National Park Service and leading preservation organizations — avoids all of these risks.

We travel directly to the cemetery — you don't need to be present or arrange access. Just let us know the name on the marker and the general section or plot location, and we'll take it from there.

Every cleaning starts with a full photographic assessment of the marker before we touch it. We document the stone's condition, note any existing cracks or damage, and confirm the scope of work. Then we pre-wet the entire surface with clean water to open the stone's pores and prepare it for treatment.

We apply D/2 Biological Solution and gently agitate it into the surface using soft, natural-bristle brushes — never wire, never synthetic, never pressure. The solution dwells on the stone and begins breaking down lichen, algae, and biological staining at the root. We rinse thoroughly with clean water and photograph the finished result.

Within a day or two you'll receive before-and-after photos by email — so you can see exactly what was accomplished, even if you live across the country. We handle all stone types: granite, marble, limestone, and sandstone.

All services include before-and-after photos delivered to your email inbox.

• Standard Headstone Cleaning — $99 Ideal for lightly to moderately soiled markers. Covers the full stone face, sides, and base using our standard D/2 treatment process.
• Deep Restoration Cleaning — $169 For heavily weathered stones with significant lichen coverage, deep biological staining, or markers that haven't been cleaned in many years. Includes extended dwell time and additional treatment passes.
• Annual Care Plan — $149/year We visit twice a year — once in spring, once in fall — to keep the marker clean year-round and prevent biological growth from taking hold. The most cost-effective way to maintain a memorial long-term.