This paper presents a review of previous work on laser cleaning from the perspective of conservation and restoration in the art world. Particular attention is given to laser cleaning mechanisms, including selective vaporisation, ablation, selective removal of small particles, steam cleaning and special features for metals.Results of recent work in our laboratories on the cleaning of one of the world's ftrst aluminium statues, the Liverpool Gilbert Eros statue, using a Q-switched Nd: Y AG laser and the investigation of the effect of process control features (laser power, working distance, number of pulses per position) on the morphology and composition of the cleaned surface (as determined by EDX, EPMA, XRD and SEM) are also presented.