Care Hub | Expert Advice on Headstone Cleaning & Gravestone Care
When a new idea appears on Dragons’ Den, it often sparks conversation, and the recent episode featuring a grave cleaning business was no exception. It shone a light on an industry that many families did not even know existed.
At GraveClean, we welcome that awareness. But there is a big difference between a small hobby style idea and a professional national service that is transforming how the public can care for their loved ones’ memorials.
In recent years, we’ve seen a rise in “one-man band” headstone cleaners offering quick, cheap cleans in cemeteries — often without permission, insurance, or understanding of local regulations.
At first glance, it might look like a good deal. But in reality, unauthorised memorial work in cemeteries can lead to serious problems — from damaged memorials to council fines and even permanent bans from the site.
When families want to restore a headstone, they’re often faced with two very different approaches:
Chemical cleaning, which gently lifts staining and biological growth, and
Manual resurfacing or sanding, a method traditionally used by some stone masons.
While both can make a memorial look “cleaner,” the long-term results — and the effect on the stone itself — are worlds apart.
At GraveClean, we believe that caring for memorials is more than just cleaning stone — it’s about preserving memories, heritage, and respect.
Our reputation as the UK’s leading headstone cleaning and restoration company comes from years of consistent quality, professional training, and a genuine commitment to doing things properly.
After years of cleaning and restoring thousands of memorials nationwide, GraveClean is proud to announce the launch of our own-label headstone cleaning product range, released in August 2025.
For the first time, the same professional-grade formula used by our technicians across the UK is now available to the DIY market, allowing families to safely care for their loved ones’ memorials at home.
In March 2025, GraveClean, the UK’s leading headstone and war memorial cleaning company, was proud to carry out the professional cleaning and restoration of the Lydford-on-Fosse Parish Council War Memorial in Somerset.
The Parish Council commissioned GraveClean to help preserve the monument’s heritage, ensuring the names of those who served and sacrificed during both World Wars remain clearly visible for generations to come.
In October 2025, the grave of Police Constable William Ezra Price at St Mary’s Churchyard, Stretton, was professionally restored and cleaned by GraveClean – the UK’s leading headstone cleaning and restoration company.
The project was commissioned and funded by Staffordshire Police, who wished to preserve the resting place of one of their own — a brave and well-respected officer who tragically lost his life in the line of duty more than 120 years ago.
Warwick District Council has barred independent companies like GraveClean from carrying out memorial cleaning and restoration work. GraveClean, the UK’s leading nationwide headstone cleaning specialist, says the decision misinterprets safety schemes, restricts family choice, and unfairly prevents disabled and elderly residents from accessing affordable, professional care.
Caring for a grave is a meaningful act of remembrance, but UK weather, moss, and time can quickly take their toll. In this guide, we share 10 practical tips for grave maintenance — from safe headstone cleaning to seasonal flower care — plus when to consider professional support.
