Vatican Cleaning Crew Uses Essential Oils On Outdoor Art

The Vatican Museums and the Vatican City governor's office have undertaken a five-year project to develop ecologically friendly cleaning agents and techniquesto clean, restore and maintain the 570 works of art on display outside in the Vatican Gardens, according to an article on the Crux website.

The project also involves art experts and biologists, including several dedicated to studying medicinal plants and essential oils extracted from plants.

The artwork needs to be conserved, but without harming the plants, animals and birds who live in the gardens or the men and women who work there, researchers said.

The process is being  documented - from the original state of degradation to the formulae of substances applied and the long-term tracking of their effectiveness - in the hopes of being able to offer other cities and institutions “green” methods for preserving outdoor art.

Read the full article here.