Many people use memorial headstones to keep the memories of their loved ones alive long after they have passed away, which makes the maintenance of these locations all the more important. Through exposure to the elements, rust can develop on these headstones thanks to any metal that they come into contact with, especially if a bronze plaque has also been included.
Step 1: Purchase a cleaning agent that contains oxalic acid. They are generally available through hardware stores and even from specialty stone stores, but you may have to ask for assistance.
Step 2: Don a pair of protective gloves when working with these cleaners, as they are known to cause damage to skin. Dilute the acid with water according to the instructions on the agent and read all warnings.
Step 3: Apply the cleaner to the rust stains on the headstone. Make sure that you rinse thoroughly when finished to ensure that all traces of the residue has been completely removed.
It is also possible to remove rust from memorial headstones through the use of a product known as ‘Iron Out’, which is a cleaner that has been specially designed for use on rust stains.
Step 1: Soak the surface of the memorial with warm water. Make sure that you put on a pair of protective gloves when working with this cleaner, as your hands require protection.
Step 2: Mix a cup of the Iron Out product into a few litres of warm water. Dip a sponge or scrubbing brush into the solution and use it to apply the cleaner to the affected areas of the stone.
Step 3: Cover the area with plastic wrap to prevent the cleaner from evaporating and leave to sit for 24 hours. Then, rinse the solution away from the headstone and scrub at the stain until it has gone.
Make sure that you never mix cleaning products when attempting to remove rust stains from your loved one’s memorial headstones. If you have tried one product and found that it doesn’t work, make sure that you have thoroughly rinsed the area before trying something else. You should also avoid letting the cleaners come into contact with grass or plants, as they can kill them.