Safe and Effective Memorial & Headstone Cleaner

The Schlitzberger family recommends D/2 Biological Solution for safely cleaning headstones, markers, monuments and statuary.

D/2 Biological Solution is a biodegradable, easy to use liquid that removes stains from mold, algae, mildew, lichens and air pollutants. It is effective on marble, granite, limestone, brownstone, travertine, masonry, terra cotta, concrete, stucco, wood, and other architectural surfaces including monuments, sculpture and headstones.

A contact time of only 10 to 15 minutes followed by scrubbing with a soft nylon or natural bristle brush will loosen most biological and air pollutant staining. We have experience with this product. You can contact us if you have any questions or want to discuss how the best use the product.

Families want to preserve the beauty and dignity of the headstone as much as possible, so they try to keep it clean. But they any find that water and scrubbing are not enough to bring back the pristine condition of the headstone. A good headstone cleaner is needed.

The quickest way to do so is with a D/2 biological solution that is powerful in removing stains. You may see quick results even after a short contact time.

The appearance will continually improve days after you clean the stone. After just a few applications of this headstone cleaner solution, your headstone can look new again.

This product has been trusted for years since it was introduced in 1995. Many customers, whether professional or not, have relied on the fast results of this solution.

D/2 has been successfully used to clean millions of buildings and monuments. From the White House to Arlington Cemetery, D/2 is trusted to work and keep on working when results matter. You can visit the D/2 website to learn more about this product.

“D/2 Biological Solution is effective on marble, granite, limestone, brownstone, travertine, masonry, terra cotta, concrete, stucco, wood, and other architectural surfaces including monuments, sculpture, and headstones.”

D/2 Biological Solution Headstone Cleaner Becomes Part of a Presidential Executive Order

The National Cemetery Administration now uses D/2 Headstone Cleaner.  Quote: “The NCA  entered into an agreement with the National Center for Preservation Technology and  Training, NPS, to evaluate marble cleaners in an effort to minimize damage to historic headstones. The 3-phase study began in 2004 and was completed in 2011. The best practice recommendations resulted in NCA’s determination to use the preferred cleaner, D/2 Biological Solution…” (Page 3)

Best Practice Recommendations for Cleaning Government-Issued Marble Headstones (2011-17)

From Presidential Executive Order 13287, Preserve America  FY 2011 Triennial Report Department of Veteran Affairs.  

The main recommendations include the following:

1. Cleaning should be undertaken with the mildest, least-abrasive method.
2. A biocidal cleaner performed the best in this study. Recommended biocidal cleaners include D/2 Biological Solution (which was tested in this study) manufactured by Sunshine Makers, Enviro Klean® BioWash®, or other cleaners that contain quaternary ammonium compounds.
3. Soak the stone liberally with water before applying the cleaner with a hand or backpack sprayer or garden hose.
4. Always keep the stone wet during cleaning and thoroughly rinse afterwards.
5. Agitate the surface gently in a circular motion using a soft bristle brush. Clean small areas from the bottom up.
6. Remember to rinse after cleaning each area and to thoroughly rinse the stone at the end to make sure that no cleaner is left behind.

The research which led to these recommendations included field and laboratory studies that cut across disciplines from chemistry and biology to materials science and conservation treatment development. There were two main goals of the study. The first goal was to find effective commercial cleaners that removed soiling and microorganisms which alter the appearance and degrade headstones. The second goal was to look at factors that led to the re-growth of microorganisms on the stone.

NCPTT researchers studied five different cleaners which can be easily applied in the field. The cleaners needed to be effective in improving the appearance of the headstone and do no harm to the marble. In the field, NCPTT evaluated cleaners on stones located at five different climates and in both sunny and shady environments.

Microbiologists at Harvard’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences evaluated the microorganisms originally on the stone including bacteria, fungi, and algae. They helped to follow the re-growth on the headstones after cleaning over an eighteen-month time period. Additionally, they conducted accelerated laboratory tests using fungi to distinguish between the best field performing cleaners.