How do I restore an IDEAL Baby Crissy?

Ideal's original growing hair Crissy dolls were produced in 1969 and re-issues were released through the early 1980's. The main dolls were Crissy and the life-size baby, Baby Crissy. Restoring an Ideal Baby Crissy is often a matter of stain removal and hair restoration. Some dolls have stains that have been present for decades, and will take time to fade even with treatment. Inexpensive cleaners and supplies can restore Baby Crissy, and even her ponytail can be replaced.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic cleaner
• Cotton balls
• Benzoyl Peroxide acne cream
• Pet comb - metal teeth
• Children's conditioner and detangler spray
• All-purpose household cleaner spray
• Hand lotion
• Towel
• Baby oil
• Replacement Baby Crissy ponytail
• Lightweight cord, about 24-inches
• Scissors
• Plastic drapery ring

Instructions

Cleaning Baby Crissy's Body and Face

1. Pour plastic cleaner onto a cotton ball until it is saturated.

2. Scrub the doll, avoiding the face paint. Plastic cleaner will remove scuffs, paint, marker, but will not remove ballpoint ink.

3. Allow Crissy to dry. Use wet cotton to remove any offensive residual odor.

4. Apply a layer of acne cream containing benzoyl peroxide to ink and/or ball point pen ink stains. Coat the stained area with the cream. According to Prilly Charmin Doll Restoration, leave the cream on the doll for four to seven weeks. If the stain is still there, repeat the cleaning process.

Restoring and Cleaning the Hair

1. Wet Crissy's hair with warm water. Spray an all-purpose cleaner over the hair.

2. Rub hand lotion throughout the hair to loosen debris and gunk.

3. Rinse Crissy's hair in warm water. Towel the hair dry.

4. Spray Baby Crissy's hair with children's detangler. Using a pet comb with metal teeth, start at the ends and comb the hair to the scalp. If Crissy's hair is dry, pour a capful of baby oil into your palm and work it through Crissy's hair and then comb it straight. Allow the hair to dry.

Replacing Baby Crissy's Ponytail

1. Remove Crissy's head. Remove any cardboard found in the head.

2. Fold the replacement ponytail in half. Grasp the fold.

3. Tie a piece of lightweight cord through the center around the fold of the replacement ponytail.

4. Feed the cord through the hole at the top of Baby Crissy's head, out through her neck hole, into the neck hole of her body, and through the hole in the doll's back.

5. Reattach Crissy's head. Feed the folded end of the ponytail into the hole in her head. Pull the cord until the ponytail is partially inside. Tie the end of the cord to a small, plastic drapery ring. Trim the ponytail to the length desired.

Tips & Warnings

• According to Prilly Charmin, plastic cleaner is also good at restoring vinyl that has turned sticky with age.

• Never wash Crissy's hair with hot water. According to Prilly Charmin, hot water will destroy the fibers of Crissy's hair.

References

• Prilly Charmin Doll Restoration: Restoring & Cleaning Hair on Vinyl Dolls
• Prilly Charmin: Restoring and Removing Ink with Benzoyl Peroxide Products
• Doll Info: Ideal Crissy Family Information

Resources

• Prilly Charmin Doll Restoration: Replacing Baby Crissy's Ponytail
• Prilly Charmin Doll Restoration: Doll Restoration & Reborns Do It Yourself Tips
• Prilly Charmin Doll Restoration: Using Plastic Cleaners to Restore Vinyl Dolls