The Lovely Doll Company
 
In a word, yes. Read on for details.

My first adventure in cleaning Dy-Dee was a disaster. I had read some directions in Barbara Hilliker's book, Dy-Dee, The Complete Collector's Book, and went straight at it. Ok, tepid water, keep the body weighed down and the head above the water line, and let the doll soak for a few hours. Got it.
I lovingly weighted her body down and propped her head up, and went on to other things. Three or four hours later I came back and... what I thought was my almost perfect, just dirty, Dy-Dee now showed fine crackling along her tummy, back, arms and legs. But I did it right! I followed the directions so carefully! I went back and reread the directions.... soak for a few minutes...oohhhh.

First lesson: Read the directions, calmly, twice.

Since then I have been cautious about soaking, preferring to use terry cloth and diluted Dawn dish washing liquid in a bowl. Rub doll with soap mixture, wipe with a clean cloth, rinse in the sink with running water, dry and try again. For the little places between fingers and toes, I've used a baby toothbrush (the softest I can find.) The dolls have gotten cleaner, but still show some of that gray grime that comes with time.

A few weeks ago I was perusing Barbara's book again when I came across advice given by Nicholas Hill, an organic chemist and expert in the preservation and cleaning of dolls. He wrote that the ONLY products that should be used on old rubber dolls are diluted liquid dish detergent or diluted Formula 9-1-1.

I've heard good things about Twin Pines of Maine, Inc and the products they make for dolls. They advertise Formula 9-1-1 as cleaning old blood, smoke, crayon, chewing gum, food stains, grease, lipstick, tar, tape and sticker residues, wax and most other soils out of vinyl dolls. Also excellent with "time grime". Ok, if Nicholas Hill says it's safe, and he doesn't want you putting almost anything on dolls, I'll go for it. I ordered a bottle. ($14.95 + shipping for 8 oz, but it goes a long way.)

Today I tried it out, and yes, it works! Much better than Dawn. My mold 3 Dy-Dee is much, much  cleaner. But it won't remove the green coloring along the hairline of my Tiny Tears or that deep blue blotch on the thigh of my well-loved Victoria doll. In other words, it's not much for stains.

They have another product called Remove-Zit that they claim will remove ink, magic marker, mold, mildew, fungus and food stains from dolls and vinyl action figures. Based on the performance of Formula 9-1-1, I'm willing to give it a go. But for those of you who, like me, read something and then quickly run off to try it, BEWARE. Remove-Zit also removes paint, like those used in doll's facial features. I'll report back after I've tried it.

*I know pictures would help with these articles. I'm trying! It's just hard to get it all done and still have something new to share : )
 


Comments

Ann

03/11/2011 13:58:13

I enjoyed looking at your new website and reading about cleaning the dolls. I have a vinyl doll, not sure how old, maybe 20 years, it looks a bit scruffy and it's hair is weird. The head is soft vinyl and the arms legs and body is hard. My other dolls are new. I got into dolls last year, it was after my little dog died, I must have needed something to take his place.

 

Ellen

03/12/2011 20:02:06

Hi Ann!

If you only have one vinyl doll, I'd try cleaning her in the kitchen sink with Dawn or Tide. Scrub-a-dub-dub :D

I'm not sure what to do about weird hair either. I've read a few articles, and went as far as getting a wig brush (a flea comb would also work, I think.) Once I used No More Tears Detangler to brush out tangles on saran hair, and that worked well.

I've read about doll collectors using Windex or fantastic to clean synthetic hair, as well as advice to try vacuuming the hair with a stocking over the vacuum hose to serve as a filter.

And I've read that steam will lessen frizzies for awhile and is also used to "set" synthetic doll hair. I have a few dolls with Saran hair that I will be attending to soon. I'll be sure to let you know how my "experiments" turn out!

PS I have a little dog too, I am so sorry for your loss.

We also lost a little dog that was the light of our lives. At first I did not want to get another little dog, but my husband was insistent (he also really missed her.)

It's been 6 years now since we got Gabby, and though she is not the same as our first, she is as special in her own ways. It will be ok to get another when you are ready : ).

 

Ellen

03/12/2011 20:23:21

Hi again, Ann! I just clicked through to your blog and saw the types of dolls you are working with. Made me think of Pleasant Company & American Girl dolls. I went to their site to look up what they suggest for vinyl doll care. Here it is:

For general cleaning of your doll’s vinyl parts, a gentle paste can be made of baking soda and water. Apply the paste using a circular motion, carefully rinse the vinyl, then dry with a towel. Be careful not to get the doll’s body wet. For very dirty vinyl and other stains, please call Customer Service at 1-800-845-0005 for assistance.

Your doll’s hair is a wig; it is not rooted. We NO LONGER SUGGEST that you wash and condition the doll's hair. The best way to remove tangles is to spritz the doll's hair with COLD water and use a wire wig brush to slowly work out the knots (working from the bottom up). DO NOT USE A BLOW DRYER OR HEAT OF ANY KIND. Kirsten and Molly’s hair wigs may be tightly braided while damp, and Samantha's hair can be set on rollers while damp (not wet). AIR DRY ONLY FOR ALL DOLLS.
********

Seems they are not recommending steam or even shampooing anymore... but maybe they are pushing their doll hospital services?

I've also enjoyed the articles from Just Magic Dolls... let me know how it goes if you try any of this!

http://www.justmagicdolls.com/articles/article_index.htm

 

Ann

03/13/2011 01:41:10

I'll try the baking soda for her face and the spritzing for her hair. Later today I will put a picture of her on my blog so that you can see what she is like. I think she was one of the really cheap play dolls so I'm not expecting much from her but it would be nice to smarten her up a bit.

I really love the dolls I have now and really enjoy making their clothes.

I won't get another dog, I would worry it would outlive us. I still feel upset about losing him, they really are part of the family aren't they.

 

Ellen

03/13/2011 14:48:21

My dogs have been my truest friends, Ann. Much more so as the kids have grown : ). They are there when we need them.

Yesterday my husband was cutting a toenail for me, and Gabby was on my lap. She lets us cut her toenails, but it scares her. She saw what daddy was doing, came up to my face and gave me three of the softest, most comforting little kisses right on my lips. Not the begging kind of kisses, not the "I'm your puppy" kind of kisses... kisses of empathy, pure and simple. Then she sat on my chest and kept watch until daddy was done.

I was so touched. When dogs can understand what we're going through, or can relate directly to our experiences, they have hearts of gold.

She also pooped in the house two days ago, and got demoted back to first grade :D. Big girls do not poop in the house!! I know, it's silly. When we cuddle at night I tell her she gets an "A+" ...she likes the sound of that : )

 



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