A Complete Guide to Cleaning Your Urn

Proper maintenance ensures your memorial urn remains beautiful for generations. This guide provides simple, effective methods for cleaning different urn materials while preserving their integrity and appearance.

General Cleaning Tips

Before addressing specific materials, remember these universal principles:

Always handle urns with clean, dry hands
Place a soft towel underneath while cleaning to prevent damage
Use gentle, circular motions when wiping
Never submerge urns in water
Test cleaning solutions on an inconspicuous area, such as the bottom, first
Clean your urn 2-3 times annually or as needed

Cleaning Stone Urns

Stone urns—including marble, granite, travertine and alabaster—require special care to maintain their natural beauty.

Regular Maintenance

Dust Removal: Use a soft cotton or microfiber cloth to gently remove surface dust. For crevices, a soft-bristled brush (like a clean makeup brush) works effectively.
Spot Cleaning: For fingerprints or light marks, dampen a cloth with warm water and wipe gently. Dry immediately with a clean cloth.

Deep Cleaning

Stone-Safe Solution: Mix one drop of pH-neutral dish soap with one cup of warm water.
Application: Dampen a soft cloth with the solution and wipe gently. Avoid saturating the stone.
Rinse: Wipe with a clean cloth dampened with water to remove soap residue.
Dry Thoroughly: Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove all moisture.

What to Avoid

Acidic cleaners (vinegar, lemon)
Abrasive scrubbers or powders
Bleach or ammonia-based products
Commercial stone polishes (unless specifically formulated for memorial urns)

Cleaning Ceramic Urns

Ceramic urns combine beauty with durability but require proper care to maintain their glazed finish.

Regular Maintenance

Dust Removal: Use a soft, dry cotton or microfiber cloth to gently wipe the surface.
Fingerprint Removal: A slightly dampened cloth will remove most fingerprints and smudges.

Deep Cleaning

Mild Solution: Mix a small amount of mild dish soap with warm water.
Application: Dampen a soft cloth with the solution and clean with gentle, circular motions.
Rinse: Wipe with a clean, damp cloth to remove soap residue.
Dry Completely: Use a lint-free cloth to dry thoroughly.

What to Avoid

Abrasive cleaners or scrubbers
Harsh chemicals
Excessive water that might seep into seams
Rapid temperature changes

Cleaning Wooden Urns

Wood urns require special attention to preserve their natural beauty and finish.

Regular Maintenance

Dust Removal: Use a soft, lint-free cloth to gently remove dust. A clean, dry makeup brush works well for detailed areas.
Polishing: While we recommend leaving the wood raw as delivered to you, if desired you may apply a thin layer of high-quality furniture wax or polish designed for the specific wood type every 3-6 months. This will darken the wood and make the grain more visible.

Deep Cleaning

Cleaning Solution: Use a minimal amount of mild wood soap specifically formulated for raw or waxed wood.
Application: Slightly dampen a soft cloth with the solution and clean with gentle strokes following the wood grain.
Dry Immediately: Use a clean, dry cloth to remove any moisture.
Conditioning: Apply a small amount of a compatible wax or polish to restore surface. Please contact the manufacturer for additional deep cleaning instructions.