Possible Clues:

• Searched, as for bugs
• Was searcher greeted with suspicion initially?
• Pole was clearly distressed, but cleaned up
• Cleaned with broom
• Cleaned up seats and top of table
• Having had a brush with this, the South was in tears
• Seems the South was in tears after a brush with this
• Time church seating is taken over to be cleaned
• Clean, as a floor
• Removed by brushing