The life of every believer is inseparably connected with a prayer to God and His Blessed Mother and the saints. As a rule, our prayerful communion with the world of mountain passes in front of the different icons. The presence of images in the house - an indispensable attribute of the Orthodox Christian. However, it is worth remembering that the icon - not just an image, a shrine that requires proper care and respect. In the descriptions of the history of many miraculous icons repeatedly skips episode when these images were forgotten and people were in the wrong place and the state, for which the Virgin and various saints punished their keepers. To prevent this, you should not neglect the simple rules of care for the images. How to properly care for the icons? The wash them and clean? On this and will be our story.
Of course, modern icons are made with high quality materials, which form the product resistance to environmental conditions. Still, the ground, which is covered with gesso, and paint are very unstable in sharp amplitudes of temperature or humidity. That is why the icon and can not be held by the windows as the temperature balance and humidity level changes dramatically just outside the window. The most optimal temperature for storage of images - + 17 ° - + 20 ° Celsius, and humidity - about 45 - 55%. Also avoid contact with the face of the icon to direct sunlight, since because of this suffering bright colors and the image of a fade in the sun. The fastest way is going with paper or cardboard lithographs, but exposure to the sun and to paint icons are not less harmful.
For better storage icons placed in reliquaries, special closed frame with glass in the front part, often carved or gilded. This not only saves the image from dust and vibrations of external conditions, but also soot combustion products from the lamps or candles. Since we are talking about dust and soot, it is necessary to answer the question, what is the icon of the wipe to keep the image clean?
In this case, of course, it all depends on the material of which the icon is made. If it's hand-made image, which has been gilded, or even a silver robe - then, respectively, and care is needed more careful. Painted icons in any case impossible to wipe a wet or a dry cloth, and wipe the more different polishes, oils and detergents. Otherwise, you can just seriously damage the gilding or paint themselves as active ingredients penetrate deep into and the consequences will be irreversible. Therefore, these images need to be cleaned from dust, dry squirrel brush. If the image is in a glazed frame or Kyoto, it is permitted to wipe the glass with special means, and the frame itself - a damp cloth and polish.
Especially great caution should be taken when caring for old icons that may have passed you by inheritance from grandparents, great-grandparents. Regardless of whether the image was written professional painter or rural "Bogomazov" should be very careful to treat such icons. Many of them are slightly bent from prolonged exposure to temperature changes. In this case - do not try to align the board, otherwise there is a risk that the icon of a crack in half. If you kept the old image - be sure to check for signs of Shashel. Sometimes, this pest can not hide the icon itself, and its frame - be careful! In case of detection, it is advisable to give the image of a specialist restorer, and do not attempt to deal with the beetle-grinder with the help of modern chemical agents, which can also damage the board and paint.
Various laminated lithography, which has recently become widespread, and can be cleaned with a damp cloth. If this icon is covered with a layer of soot and smoke, it is possible to use a soap solution. The very image will not be harmed. If lamination is not - it is necessary to wipe the dust with a dry cloth to keep the base paper icons from moisture.
In general, do not get too often to wipe the icons, but to leave them in the dust, too, can not. It is better to dwell on the "golden mean", especially since a lot depends on the conditions in the home and the environment.
Icons - this is our "window" in the mountain world, to whom we are making our prayers to God. On the other hand - is the image through which God's grace descends on the earth through the various miracles and healings. Let us take care of them in a clean and tidy, and trying to keep their souls clean, remembering the commandment of Christ: "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Mt 5: 8.).
