Recovered newspaper manuscript submitted 2009-03-26. newspaper issue date is not recorded here. Preservation methods and materials are documented historically and should not substitute for current specialist conservation guidance.
Thanks to the more than 30 people who participated in the Natchitoches Historic Foundation’s second community cemetery cleaning day this past weekend. It was a beautiful, fun-filled day in the Catholic Cemetery. We learned about the ethics of cemetery preservation and also managed to clean some 80 grave markers. Folks worked hard and had a blast. If you want to see what all the fuss is about, view the video from the clean-up day at www.natchitochespreservation.ning.com.
If you have loved ones buried in one of our local cemeteries, why not honor their memories by participating in these activities? Your next opportunity comes in the fall when NHF will hold the event again at a different cemetery.
Preparing to Clean Historic Markers
My last column examined the tools and cleaning solutions that are appropriate for cleaning gravestones. This time, we take a look at the cleaning process itself.
Safety first! Grab some rubber gloves and goggles before you begin. Cleaners that are appropriate to gravestone cleaning are very mild, but they can still potentially do damage to skin and eyes with prolonged exposure.
The Cleaning Process
Once you have chosen your cleaning solution (we used D/2 Biological Solution last weekend), have a ready supply of water standing by. Soak the marker with a lot of water, getting the entire surface wet. The stone used in grave markers soak up liquids readily. By soaking them with water first, the cleaner will remain on the stone’s surface, which keeps the stone protected from any chemical damage. You will have to make sure the marker stays wet throughout the cleaning process.
Next, spray the cleaning solution at the bottom of your marker. Let the cleaner soak in for a minute and then begin to scrub in small, circular motions. Concentrate on working the cleaner into all areas of the stone. When you begin at the bottom and work up, the chances of streaking are minimized. Once streaking has occurred, it may be permanent. Only work on manageable sections at a time.
For grave markers that are badly soiled you may have to scrub for an additional cycle to remove the multiple layers of biogrowth that may have built up over the years. Continue to scrub gently each cycle to avoid damaging the stone. Then, just rinse thoroughly with clean water after cleaning each area leaving no cleaning solution on the marker. A biological solution keeps killing algae and other biogrowth for days after, so don’t be disappointed if your grave marker isn’t pristine. The point is to help the stone last, retaining its original character and strength for decades to come.
What Remains
The central message of the 2009 cemetery workshop remains urgent: historic markers should be cleaned with the gentlest effective methods, if cleaning is appropriate at all. The National Park Service now provides detailed guidance advising against bleach, wire brushes, harsh chemicals, and high-pressure washing, all of which can damage stone and inscriptions. The original workshop is part of a longer effort to make conservation skills available to local volunteers. NPS: Cleaning Grave Markers.
Updated October 2026
Supporting Documents & SourcesView related reporting & supporting materials
| Related article | Caring for Historic Gravestones |
|---|---|
| Related article | Breda Town Cemetery to Receive Award |
Article Catalog CardView the manuscript record, provenance & surviving materials
| Artifact | Original newspaper manuscript. |
|---|---|
| Source | Dated Natchitoches Times submission email. |
| Period | 2009-03-26. |
| Role | Hometown heritage columnist and community preservation communicator. |
| Status | Archival republication; newspaper issue copy not yet matched to manuscript. |
Critical Questions + Add to the Record
Application here: The community cemetery workshop centers physical care and shared conservation judgment—skills and relationships that digital documentation can support, but cannot replace.
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