Dolls are, for many, a priceless childhood memory. Sometimes we are lucky enough to find them in good condition after we have stopped playing with them for our entire childhood, but others, unfortunately, the story is not so.
In my case, in addition to playing with them, I would cut their hair playing beauty salon and, for some reason that I don’t remember well, I would paint their faces and bodies with marker and even nail polish, causing irreparable stains and making them look very bad.
If your kids have done the same or you have old toys that you want to recover and a basic cleaning has not worked, the best thing to do is to continue reading this article where I show you how to clean rubber dolls with homemade, cheap and easy tricks. Give them a new life and avoid harsh cleaners!
How to clean soiled dolls and toys?
You must be very careful when washing your wrists. If you use cold water you could cause the rubber to crack, and if it is too hot it will melt, deform and damage the original paint. It is also recommended that you wash them by hand to reduce the risk of damage. This is the indicated procedure when cleaning old stained wrists and improving their appearance.
You will need the following
- Warm water.
- Neutral soap or dishwashing liquid without humectants (to prevent unfavorable results on plastic and paint).
Large container. - Silk scarf.
- Brush or sponge.
Procedure
- Fill the container with warm water and mix with a little liquid soap until lathering.
- Insert the doll until it is completely covered with the mixture.
- Let stand for 5 minutes.
- After this time, with the sponge or brush, rub gently and successively. Increase the rate if the stain or soil is persistent. Do this until the entire surface of the wrist is clean.
- Rinse the wrist with warm water to remove soap residue. Take as much time as you need without rushing.
- Finally, remove the doll and place it in a clean, dry area with the silk handkerchief.
- Allow to air dry a little longer.
Note: If your doll has hair, perform the same procedure, but apply mild shampoo and rub gently and to one side only to avoid knots. Then remove with warm water and add conditioner to soften. Rinse and dry. Do not use a hair dryer or any other heating device, as it will melt and damage the product.
How to remove ink stains on rubber dolls?
It is very common to notice dirt, grime on joints, feet, face and dust stuck to the joints, feet and face on the entire body of action figures, Max Steel, the LOL Surprise, The Nenucos and especially in dolls Barbie and Ken and although you have given it a good bath with soap and water, it has not come out. Especially when it comes to crayon, marker or pen ink scratches. Fortunately, it’s faster and easier than you might think:
Baking soda, peroxide and alcohol… Quick solutions!
If your wrist has felt-tip pen or marker marks, baking soda or hydrogen peroxide is ideal for removal. For more severe stains, you can use 70% sanitary alcohol. See how to use each of these homemade tricks to remove permanent marker from a doll:
- Alcohol: Impregnate a cotton ball with this substance and rub where the mark is with circular movements. Do it insistently if the mark does not disappear. For hard-to-reach places, use a cotton swab.
- Hydrogen peroxide: Also known as hydrogen peroxide, it is very useful to remove these small stains effectively and quickly. In the same way as with alcohol, moisten a cotton or clean cloth and rub the stain with just enough intensity to remove it.
- Baking soda: make a paste with a tablespoon of baking soda and two tablespoons of hot water and rub with it and a handkerchief on the stain of the rubber dummy without fear of losing the color. Do this for a few minutes or until the stain comes out, leave for 5 minutes, rinse with warm water and dry with a clean towel.
Here are a few simple methods to make your beloved collectible dolls shiny and as good as new. Remember that these techniques also work to remove ink on plastic toys and any rubber objects without resorting to aggressive and toxic chemicals.