How to Clean Antique Dolls

Antique doll collecting is a popular hobby and can involve a substantial financial investment for the serious collector. Cleaning and repairing vintage dolls so that they retain their value is an important part of antique-doll collecting. Included in this article are some tips on how to clean three of the most common dolls, which are the plastic or vinyl, composition and bisque.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Wash your hands frequently or wear rubber gloves when you clean your antique doll and its clothing. The oils from your hands can build up on the materials you are working on.

2. Clean hard plastic, vinyl and soft plastic dolls by spraying a gentle spray cleaner on a white paper towel. Gently wipe the paper towel over the doll and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Cotton swabs are useful to clean small areas such as eyes, ears and between fingers. An oxygenated cleaner works well to clean ink and the green stains that sometimes occur. It may take several attempts, but wipe the cleanser off with a wet cloth each time. For extremely stubborn stains, leave the cleanser on for 24 hours and then wipe it off with a wet cloth. Discontinue this step if you notice any discoloration of the doll's skin tone.

3. Determine the condition of the composition-type doll before you attempt to clean it. If there are cracks or broken areas of paint, seek a professional doll cleaner's advice. If it's in good condition, clean it with Liquid Glass, available in the auto parts section. Don't use water or a liquid cleaner because you risk dissolving the paint layer. Use a white paper towel to apply the product and lightly work over a small area at a time. When you are finished, buff it with a clean cloth.

4. Use the spray cleaner for your bisque dolls. Use a white paper towel to clean and then wipe it off with a clean cloth. Use cotton swabs for the eyes, but be careful if the eyes are hand-blown glass. These eyes were often used in the older bisque dolls and can be easily knocked out of the sockets. Use caution as these cleaners can remove the paint if your antique doll wasn't kiln fired after application of the paint.

5. Test your doll's clothes to see if they are washable by applying a touch of vinegar to an inside seam with a cotton swab; if there is any discoloration, don't wash them. Wash your dolls garments by soaking them in a gentle, powdered baby detergent. Handle them as little as possible, rinse them well and don't wring them out. Allow them to dry on a towel and gently press them with the tip of a slightly warm iron. If they don't pass the washable test, apply a spray foam carpet cleaner with a soft brush, allow it to dry and then remove it with a soft brush.

6. Use cornstarch to clean the cloth parts of your doll's body. Don't use water. Gently rub the cornstarch into the fabric and leave it for at least 8 hours and then remove it with a soft-bristle brush.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove rusted snaps or other tarnished fasteners before attempting to wash your dolls garments.
• Give your dolls a cleaning every 6 months if they are displayed without protection and dust them with a soft-bristle brush in between cleanings.
• Always test a cleaner on an inconspicuous area on the doll and discontinue using it if you notice any discoloration.
• Never use bleach when cleaning antique dolls or their vintage clothing.
• Don't use starch on your antique doll clothes because it may attract bugs.
• Avoid washing an antique doll's hair if possible. Keep them out of the sunlight and away from cigarette smoke. All of these things depreciate the doll's value.