How to Clean a Water Stain From a Burial Marker at the Cemetery

The upkeep of a burial marker relies heavily on the participation of both the cemetery grounds crew and the loved ones of the person buried. The natural stone used to make burial markers is subject to weather conditions, dirt and aging--all of which can cause the stone to become dirty and to deteriorate. Water stains occur on burial markers when a mixture of rain or cleaning water, combined with dirt, soak into naturally porous stone. You can clean a water stain off a burial marker with supplies and methods safe for natural stone surfaces.

Stiff-bristled brush
Bucket
1/2 cup ammonia
Baking soda
Clean cloths

Instructions

- 1
  Brush surface dirt off the burial marker with a stiff-bristled brush. Remove overgrown plants growing on or over the marker.
- 2
  Pour plain water over the entire burial marker to wet the stone and prevent absorption of the cleaning solution.
- 3
  Fill a bucket with one gallon of warm water. Add half a cup of ammonia to the water to create a safe stone-cleaning solution.
- 4
  
  A stiff brush gets in the grooves and texture of a burial marker.
  
  Dip the stiff-bristled scrub brush in the diluted ammonia solution. Begin scrubbing the burial marker at the bottom of the marker to avoid drip marks. Rinse the brush as needed. When the cleansing mixture gets dirty, change to a fresh batch to avoid dirty water stains on the stone.
- 5
  Rinse the burial marker with water to wash away loosened dirt and stains.
- 6
  Treat remaining water stains on the burial marker with a poultice. Wet the stain with the ammonia solution. Sprinkle baking soda over the stain. Add more ammonia solution, if needed, to make a thick poultice paste on the surface of the marker.
- 7
  Allow the ammonia and baking soda solution to remain on the burial marker for two to five hours so that the paste can dry. As the paste dries, it draws the stain out of the stone.
- 8
  Remove the dried paste by brushing it off with the scrub brush. Rinse the burial marker to remove poultice paste residue. Pat-dry the stone with clean cloths. Allow the stone to air-dry completely.

How to Restore Color to a Shower Stall

Soot Removal From Brick With a Torch

Stain Removal