How to Restore Synthetic Hair on Dolls
Dolls that we hold sacred either from own childhoods or our mothers' often need some refurbishing. Doll's hair especially can take a beating. Maybe it's all the hair styling little girls love doing to their dolls. Synthetic hair started being attached to dolls in the 1950s and was attached in two distinctive ways--as wigs pulled onto the head or hair that was glued into the head. Restoring synthetic doll hair can return the doll to its original beauty.
Things You'll Need
- Spray water bottle
- Household window spray
- Towel
- Pet brush, metal-pronged
- Metal comb
- Doll hair curlers
Instructions
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How to Clean a Synthetic Doll Wig
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1
Gently remove the doll wig by pulling on the webbing that the hair is attached to. Wet the hair with a spray bottle filled with cool water.
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2
Spray on some common window cleaner and work it through the hair. Never use regular hair shampoo, as the oils in it will attract dirt. Use a towel to away dirt and grime.
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3
Pull the wig back on the doll's head. Use a metal-pronged pet brush and brush the hair. Synthetic hair has memory and should reveal its original factory styling. If not, use doll hair rollers to set the hair. Allow hair to air dry overnight before styling.
How to Restore Glued-in Synthetic Doll's Hair
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4
Wet the hair by spraying on cool water. Spray on the window cleaner and work it through the hair and towel off to remove any excess moisture along with dirt.
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5
Brush through the damp hair and recreate the original style by shaping the hair into waves and curls. For more precise styling, use a metal comb to refine the style. Set the hair in doll curlers if more definition is needed. Leave curlers in overnight.
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6
Deal immediately with water that may have seeped in around the doll's eyes while cleaning the hair to avoid mold growth inside the doll. Tip the doll over so the water will drain out the eyes and set the doll in a warm, dry location until it thoroughly dries.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't use shampoo to clean synthetic hair. It will make the hair overly fluffy.
Don't use a curling iron. This might melt the synthetic hair.
