How to Restore Dolls

Children's dolls can easily become dirty and damaged, even if they're precious collector's items. So be it a Barbie, Baby Doll, or Bratz, here are some tips for cleaning and restoring these costly vinyl or plastic figurines.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gentle liquid soap
• Soft, lint free washcloth
• Soft, lint free towel
• Toothpicks
• Thin, strong paintbrush
• Small sewing needle
• Superglue
• Clear craft varnish
• Craft Paints
• Fine nail file
• Saran Wrap
• Scotch Tape
• Shampoo
• Conditioner

1. Find the damaged vinyl or plastic doll and determine what needs fixing. Remove all clothing and extra pieces from the figure.

2. Fill sink or basin with hot water and gentle liquid soap. Completely submerge the item in water and let soak for at least ten minutes.

3. Use washcloth and extra soap to gently scrub the doll clean. Take toothpick and carefully clean out any crud in small crevices, it's much easier when the doll is wet.

4. Wash, rinse and repeat as needed. When finished, dump the dirty, soapy water out.

5. Just use the sink to shampoo the dolls hair, and rinse. Add conditioner to the hair, and let sit for about five minutes.

6. Rinse out the conditioner very, very well. Rinse the entire figurine again, then gently pat dry with the towel.

7. Use a needle to carefully untangle any knots in the dolls hair. Take a comb and very gently brush out the strands.

8. Style hair according to how it needs to dry. Use string, Saran Wrap, or cloth to help in shaping. Beads, pencil/pen, and cardboard rolls can help with curling.

9. Place doll on towel in clean, open air area. Try to have the doll sitting up, so that the hair in back isn't smooshed down as it dries.
   
   Let doll, especially the hair, dry.

10. If there are any damaged clothes or accessories in need of attention, now is the time for it. Wash and hem any clothing that need it, glue and stitch and accessories that are falling apart.

11. After the doll has dried, it's time to pay attention to any scratches, gouges, or missing paint. Very carefully use craft paint, in light dabs, to replace any missing colors.
    
    Use the washcloth for any smudging, and the toothpick for any tiny points. Let dry.

12. Use a very, very light covering of craft glaze to the area just painted. This will help seal it. Pay attention to whether you need gloss or flat glaze. Let dry.

13. If there are scratches and gouges in the dolls body, use flat craft glaze to fill in the area. Large globs of these glazes will dry like plastic, making a new piece to fill the problem area.
    
    Wrap area in Saran Wrap to prevent dripping, but not too tight or the glaze won't dry. Use Scotch tape to secure if needed. Let dry for at least 6 hours.

14. Unwrap area, and remove dried glaze piece. It may require a needle to help cut off extra area. Use a fine file to file the dried glaze a little, then wash and pat dry the little piece.

15. Use super glue to carefully glue the dried glaze piece into the needed spot. Let dry. Paint to match, let dry.

16. Bring clothes, hairstyle, and doll together to see how things look. Assemble, stand back, and enjoy!

Tips & Warnings

• If the doll is so damaged that it needs actual replacement limbs or hair, consider ordering the pieces on-line, or try sending it to a "Doll Hospital".
• This method is not recommended for any dolls that aren't 100% plastic or vinyl, at least on the outside. Remember, cleaning and restoring dolls can make their collectable value plummet.