Washington’s Capitol building is getting a much-needed cleaning.

Earlier this year, the Legislature allocated $3.4 million to the project, which started last month. The masonry preservation work includes cleaning of the plaza area, as well as the large dome that has blackened over the years due to lichen that grows on the sandstone. The last time the dome was cleaned was in 2012, when no cleaning agents were used, which officials say may have led to a faster reappearance of lichen.

This time the cleaning combines the use of low water pressure and gentle cleaning agents.

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