4Real Forums: Cleaning a baby doll?

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Topic: Cleaning a baby doll?

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Fuzzy
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Joined: March 07 2007
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Posted: May 27 2008 at 11:14am \| IP Logged

My very sweet DH took the kids yardsale-ing on saturday to give mommy a break, and my DD came home with a VERY yucky doll (DH says it was a quarter - he's a pushover with DD) and I have finally pried it away from her. It is not all fabric, so I didn't think I could throw it in the washing machine, and it has that "hair" on it and big plastic head. Any ideas on how to clean it so I can give it back?

Is it a hopeless cause? Should I throw it away? She has already had it for a few days, but I would like to know how to clean it, just in case.

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Fuzzy
Mom to DS 12, DD 10, DS 7, and DS 4, and DD 1!
Fuzzy Memories

JodieLyn
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Posted: May 27 2008 at 11:35am \| IP Logged

I've put dolls with plastic heads into the washer.. just hang it to dry so that the water would run out of it's head.. and use cold water.. heat can do interesting things to "hair". Rubbing alcohol can take some marks off the plastic head.. not sure there's really anything you can do for frizzed out hair though.

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Jodie, wife to Dave
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-Sir Walter Scott

Mackfam
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Posted: May 27 2008 at 1:37pm \| IP Logged

I've put them in the washing machine before on delicate cycle. Just don't spin it.

After washing, I use baby shampoo on the hair and then lots of conditioner. It probably won't ever be silky again, but you should be able to comb through it.

Then, take some scissors and trim the ratty ends off.

If you have a bowl that fits the doll's noggin you can smosh it on top of her head and sit her in the sun to dry. Her hair *might* dry flat. Some of the dolls I washed had hair that dried flat, and some of them had hair that sort of stood up on end no matter what I did.

Don't you just hate it when they latch onto the dirtiest thing in the house. My dd used to have this UGLY doll that came from the dollar store - a gift from someone I think. I couldn't pry it out of her hands. It disappeared mysteriously a few years ago.

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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19

, ds 16

, ds 11

, dd 8

, and dd 3

Wildflowers and Marbles

Matilda
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Posted: May 27 2008 at 1:39pm \| IP Logged

I have heard that Windex can be used as a shampoo on dolly hair and liquid fabric softener as a conditioner. Have never tried it myself though. Good luck. If it were me, I'd tell her I was cleaning it for about a week, put it out of sight and see if she misses it. Also, if you are worried about lice or anything like that, seal it in a plastic bag and put it in the trunk of a hot car for about 3 days. That will kill the little buggers.

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Charlotte (Matilda)
Mom to four (11

, 10

, 9

& 5

) an even split for now
with bookend boys and a double girl sandwich
Waltzing Matilda

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