Afterward, a cloth, which has been dipped in warm water and wrung out so it is not dripping wet, should be used to gently rub away the stain. Little kids, especially, are guilty of "tattooing" their vinyl dolls with hand-drawn pictures, scribbling their name or the doll's name on legs and other limbs. Doll clothes are made of 1000’s of different types of fabrics. I've read that you can't put it in the washer/dryer - the plastic will melt. Squeeze and squish the soapy water into and out of the doll. Anyone familiar with Dawn dishwashing products knows that the liquid detergent was used to clean off wildlife that had been trapped in oil … Set the dryer on a cool setting and direct the air towards the doll. Light scorch stains on linen doll clothes can sometimes be removed by rubbing the cut side of an onion over the stain. So generally, unless a doll is in super bad shape or really dirty, you shouldn't attempt to restore or clean your doll's appearance. Be sure to rub gently. The head is softish plastic and held on with a zip tie thing. Maybe you can put it in a pillow case and wash it in the wash machine on cold, then hang it to air dry. I first sprayed Stain Remover on the extra dirty bits, like his feet and hands. Again, wipe gently. If the stain appears to be ink, hair spray may remove … Then put the doll in the bag. Never get the cloth body wet, but instead use a damp cloth to wipe away stains. I don't submerge the doll. It’s in your place to give Amanda that shiny look. Making and Dressing Cloth Dolls Ebook with patterns and instructions to make 5 cloth dolls as well as chapters on general doll making techniques.The book includes 21 inch Lalena Doll, 21 inch David Doll, Bear Dolls, 9 inch Destiny Doll and 15 inch Annie Doll, all together in one … Next time you're shopping at Target or Walmart or some other big-box store, pick up a toothbrush that will be your daughter's doll's special brush. If you find a tear in a seam, the best way to repair it is to remove the doll's head using the instructions in the Restringing article, unstuff the doll and try to reach the tear … If the doll is very dirty one way you can do it, although it requires alot of work, is to disassemble the doll, remove the stuffing and hand wash the body, then restuff and reassemble. Sewing Instructions for Fashion Doll Dress, Halloween Costumes for American girl Type Dolls, 18 inch American Girl, Corolle, Gotz Precious Day and Similar Dolls, Care and Cleaning of Dolls and Doll Clothes. Choose a soft-bristle toothbrush that will be utilized for going after dirt and grime that has hidden away in your doll's nostrils, ears, fingernail beds, and in between fingers and toes. Never always use water to clean up your doll, as water does more harm than good to the skin of your doll in a long run. The same soap, applied with a toothbrush in gentle brushing motions, can be used to clean away dirt gathered on a cloth body. After the clothes are clean, redress and enjoy. If a reborn doll becomes extremely dirty, consider sending the doll back to the original artist or finding a reborn artist to work on the doll. Have a blessed day,---Robyn Rinse thoroughly and allow the fabric doll to dry. If you clean too hard, you can accidentally ruin the doll's facial painting. I used a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to gently clean off the gunk on his head and face, being careful to avoid eyes. You can use a very tiny amount of water if needed, but don't use too much. Then I went to work on his little body. Dip your cotton swab in the alcohol and use it to clean out hard to reach areas, such as between your doll's toes and in the corners of the eyes. Most problems are with the seams, but you may find a hole or tear elsewhere. Don't use too much "elbow grease" when combating any grease or grime. Nope, it won't be used to clean the doll's teeth—though if the doll's smile has been marked up, the brush can do the trick. A tiny bit of soapy water on a soft-bristle toothbrush can do the trick! A cloth doll can be different things to different people. Cheryl's Doll Hospital 8788 Hough Road Almont, MI 48003 810-798-2936 cheryl@cherylsdollhospital.com. Squeeze as much water as possible out of the doll and place on a drying rack to allow air to circulate around the doll. Wet a clean washcloth. A bin can also be used to better simulate a small bathtub. Get DIY project ideas and easy-to-follow crafts to help you spruce up your space. If the cloth doll cannot be fully submerged in water, spot clean frequently with a damp cloth and gentle laundry detergent. Rinse thoroughly, in fact plan to spend twice the amount of time you spend washing, on rinsing, to make sure no residue is left in the fabric. The oil allows dirt and debris to "stick" to the doll's vinyl skin. Spread a thick layer on the brass and let it dry. Wash the doll with a clean washcloth that you’ve rung out to make it wet but not dripping. Often the body will need to be re-stuffed to return it to its original condition. Let the doll stay in the baking soda for several days. To remove marker or ink on vinyl dolls (if the mark is fresh) use rubbing alcohol on a paper towel. After several days, take the doll out and blow dry all the baking soda off the doll. Some bleed, shred, disintegrate or shrink when put in … Other than this she's in pretty good … Rub the cloth or sponge on the doll. I rinse the cloth body almost immediately before the chemical can harm the fabric. One of the surest signs that a doll has been played with and loved to the nth degree is that she starts to show outward displays of over-handling and over-caressing. Make a cleaning solution with a mild soap and water in a small pail. You'll be a superhero for bringing the doll back to brilliant (and clean) life! Many doll collectors swear by the cleaning powers of whitening toothpaste. By using The Spruce Crafts, you accept our, Special Tips for Restoration of Barbie and Other Plastic Dolls, A Handy Price Guide for Your Antique Dolls, 4 Simple Jewelry Cleaners You Can Make Yourself, Top 10 Tips to Protect and Preserve Your Collectible Dolls, What You Need to Know About Doll Restoration, 11 Tips for Keeping Embroidery Clean and Protected, Identifying, Valuing, and Preserving a Doll Collection, How to Care for Your Action Figure Collection. The soft-toy category commonly includes stuffed animals and plush toys. How to Clean Soft Toys That Can't Be Thrown in the Washing Machine. If there are serous problems with the body I can make a new one from new or vintage material. Cleaning the doll's cloth body I would try to do surface cleaning with a mild soap solution, but be VERY CAREFUL not to get the body too wet. For cloth bodied dolls I can repair or replace the body. Clean gently with baby wipes. Advertisement. You can carefully clean your porcelain doll with a dry cloth or chemical sponge. She was stored in attic during a move and now she has water stains over much of her body (the clothing doesn't seem to be stained). To an older doll lover, a cloth doll may be a valuable addition to a collection of vintage dolls or a lovely part of a country home decor scheme. When you clean a doll's face, legs, or arms, it might be wise to remove the doll's clothing, so as to avoid getting the outfit wet. Subscribe for free weekly updates from this Doll Making site. Then I waited a couple of hours to let it set. To a young child it is a soft, cuddly friend that may be a constant companion. For stubborn spots on the fabric body I spray on a little laundry spot remover (I prefer to use baby-safe organic products when I can) and then I scrub with a soft fingernail brush. First check your doll's cloth body all over for rips and tears. Around the eye, I just used mild soap and water. Use a small quantity of mild soap, such as Ivory®, and a soft cloth to wash/clean hard plastic and vinyl body parts. I thought I'd let him relax on top of a radiator for a while today to recover from any post-traumatic stress! Rid the cloth doll of odors by placing her in a large ziplock plastic bag with baking soda, cornstarch or even baby powder. Sponge Bath If the cloth body is stained, try using a washcloth on the stains first. Have your child place their toy into the water and wash … Some people re-stuff the doll's cloth body, but only as a last result. Do not wash the head: hold the head and hair above the water. Make a Cleaning Mixture One method you can use to get rid of mildew on fabric dolls is to make a cleaning mixture from lemon juice and salt. I always recommend retaining the original body assuming it is clean and sound. Another doll-saving tool is also found in the dental aisle. A tiny dab of the whitening toothpaste should be applied directly to the doll's skin where the dirt and markings lurk. Pat dry with a cotton towel. ◆ Dip a clean cloth in water. Dawn or other brands that are equally gentle can be applied to vinyl or plastic doll skin. All of us humans leave behind traces of our own sweat and oil when we play with a doll for any length of time. Sometimes the doll is so dirty it takes 3 or 4 baths to get her clean. DOLL REPAIR DOLL RESTORATION: ANTIQUE DOLLS & STUFFED ANIMALS Don't scrub or be too rough in trying to clean a vinyl or plastic doll's skin. Apply the mixture generously and rub in a circular motion to get at the stain. Member: Doll Doctors of Michigan Association National Doll Doctors Association United Federation of Doll Clubs. The most you should ever do is use a piece of tightly woven cotton to gently buff the finish. CLEANING. Air dry dolls after cleaning. It will help you dust off the top layer of dust. Another way to clean the vinyl parts of a doll is with a washcloth that is damp (wring out all the excess water) and apply a tiny drop of dishwashing liquid to it. Dishwashing Soap Another way to clean the vinyl parts of a doll is with a washcloth that is damp (wring out all the excess water) and apply a tiny drop of dishwashing liquid to it. Stephanie Finnegan is an editor, writer, and columnist who has specialized in the field of dolls, teddy bears, and collectibles for over 20 years. Crayon marks on boxes will come off with a damp rag dipped in baking soda. Squeeze the bag to distribute the baking soda over the doll. To clean blood stains on clothes, just pour a little peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off the blood. If the marks and stains seem to be super heavy, apply the whitening toothpaste and let it "sit" for a minute or two. Be careful as you clean the doll's face. It was gentle enough to salvage the feathers of ducks and other waterfowl. Washed the doll this morning in a pillowcase on 15deg delicate, short wash (the gentlest setting available on my machine) with some stain remover on his bum. You might want to talk to a doll hospital about this. If the doll needs more than a surface cleaning the dolls head can be removed and all the stuffing removed and the body washed, but I would, personally, try and avoid this. Wring the cloth until it is not dripping. If the doll has just a light smattering of grime and looks a tad grungy, you can wipe down its skin with baby wipes. Rinse and wipe off paste. To clean brass buttons on doll clothes or shoes, mix equal parts of salt, flour and add a little vinegar to make a paste. Anyone familiar with Dawn dishwashing products knows that the liquid detergent was used to clean off wildlife that had been trapped in oil slicks. Use a mild soap or dish detergent. Of course, a dreaded brother can "kidnap" a beloved doll and literally deface it by marking it up and leaving his calling card on its skin. Amanda will definitely get dusty and all dirty. Rinse the soap out of the Cabbage Patch Doll and then air dry. Work the soapy water in to the doll's body, arms and legs. Cleaning it up. Do not take doll clothes or antique linens to dry cleaners or put them in a washing machines or dryer, they could be destroyed. Whatever your cloth doll means to you, at some point you will want to clean it. CLEANING DOLL CLOTHES. Make sure to wipe, not to scrub, otherwise the paint (especially the makeup on the face), might come off. The Spruce Crafts uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. Advertisement. Inevitably, the buildup of dust will always tell on your doll, bringing doubt on its originality. At that point we cannot clean or repair them. Cleaning a doll or stuffed animal by hand with baking soda and water allows for a great opportunity for your child to clean their own doll and give it a “bath.” Fill a bowl with water and add some baking soda. Some stains such as ink may take longer to remove. Always towel blot to dry and try not to get the stuffing wet to prevent mold and mildew issues. Copyright (c) Minerva Webworks LLC All Rights Reserved. Freshen your doll's clothes by placing them in your dryer on the air only cycle with a dryer sheet for 10 minutes. Blot it with a damp cloth, perhaps with a mild soap, then blot with plain water and blot dry. After you’ve carefully washed your cloth doll, hang it or lay it flat on a towel to dry to avoid … I'll … Remove the excess water. If that doesn't help, then a moist toothbrush coated with a bit of baking soda can work wonders. Carefully wipe the doll's face, arms and legs with the damp cloth until clean. Then gently smooth away with your warm washcloth. 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By the cleaning powers of whitening toothpaste should be applied directly to the doll 's cloth wet! The chemical can harm the fabric set the dryer on a cloth and proceed wipe! Head and hair above the water oil allows dirt and markings lurk blood., such as ink may take longer to remove on its originality where... Stay in the washer/dryer - the plastic will melt original condition Dawn or other brands that are equally gentle be... Cloth to wipe away stains cloth bodied dolls i can repair or replace the body will need to re-stuffed... Making site of dust blot it with a damp rag dipped in baking over... Trapped in oil slicks of whitening toothpaste should be applied directly to the doll in. Spruce Crafts uses cookies to provide you with a damp rag dipped in baking soda for several days and! Will always tell on your doll 's … How to clean it eye, i just mild... A new one from new or vintage material baby powder rips and tears a great experience.