How to Clean And Maintain Dolls

Many cloth dolls or stuffed animals can be washed in the washing machine. Some dolls that can't be machine washed can be cleaned with upholstery shampoo or dry cleaning fluid.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. 
    

   If a dolls hair is not glued on wash with shampoo. Do not use a conditioner since this can leave residue. Never wash a dolls hair if it is gauze mounted with glue. Test doll clothes for colorfast. Hand-wash them in a mild solution of 2 tablespoons laundry detergent and 1 gallon of water. Rinse clothes thoroughly and lay them on a towel to air-dry.

2. 
    

   A valuable antique doll or any doll with a "fabric" body should be cleaned by a professional. Repair of damage to the hair, body or eyes of any doll requires professional help.

3. 
    

   You can clean a bisque-porcelain doll face with a cotton ball in a mild detergent solution. Be gentle and don't get water on the cloth part of the doll.

4. 
    

   Rub a wax doll with a cosmetic cold cream and wipe it off well with a soft cloth.

5. 
    

   To clean a vinyl doll remove the clothing and put a small amount of nonabrasive non-bleach cleaner on a cloth, rub it on the doll,then wipe it off with s clean damp cloth. Don't scrub too hard or you may rub off the dolls features.

6. 
    

   Clean a rag doll according to the label. Many can be machine-washed but put the doll in a mesh bag if it has hair.

[justforkids]

on 11/4/2009 Good info. on cleaning dolls.

[kda2007]

on 11/4/2009 Nice article and great pictures.

[eac913]

on 10/18/2009 Great article on how to wash dolls. 5*