posted on April 20, 2002 08:35:46 PM new
Hi all and especially doll collectors,
Someone once posted a way to safely clean an antique doll and dress. I have a Chatty Cathy (1960). She is mine, she's perfect, and I'm keeping her for display. But I could use some advice.
Doll body: She's only soiled from air-carried dust and minor handling. No stains or marks. Just old-man time. Her skin has not turned orange or white as many have. I have no idea how to safely clean the "skin" without removing freckles, eyebrows or skin tone. The face, arms, legs are a hard rubber. The body is plastic.
Dress: The skirt of her dress is white lace. I'm afraid to use the usual commercial stuff for whitening. The top is red (was velvet) so I can't soak the whole dress, it will bleed. There are no loose threads, seams, or holes (in other words it's not too fragile to work with). I think someone mentioned soaking the skirt part in something, but I don't know what. I think I can soak her socks in whitener without harming them.
I know there are several antique doll experts on this board, so I'm all ears.
[ edited by alwaysbroke on Apr 20, 2002 08:51 PM ]
posted on April 25, 2002 01:45:28 AM new
TO ALWAYSBROKE: you responded to my listing quite some time ago .. but I had a problem getting an email to you .. remember the MEMOREX EQUIPMENT ... I've got tons of photos now ... send me an email at [email protected] ......Virgil
posted on May 14, 2002 10:24:11 AM new
Alwaysbroke (I just love that name, wish I'd thought of it!),
Over the past several years I've sold a good part of a large doll collection of my own. When I started, I left all the dolls alone and let the buyers (who presumably knew better than I how to do it) clean the dolls and clothes. A buyer wrote to me after she received a Madame Alexander doll and mentioned two products that she used - one for the clothes and one for the doll. I can't remember the names of the products but they sounded like they were specifically made for dolls and doll clothes (as I recall "doll" or "dolly" was part of the name.
I eventually got brave and started cleaning the dolls and clothes myself. Can't remember who told me this but I use an alcohol free baby wipe and it works great for normal age type dirt, without harming the doll. For clothes I've had great luck with oxy-clean - especially on the attic dirt that seems to accumulate on such things.
I've also had a few dolls that were so filthy I figured I had nothing to lose and used Spray Nine cleaner on them. I figured it would either work or destroy the doll and you know what, it worked great and didn't harm the plastic or painted surfaces at all. Of course, I wouldn't suggest that unless you're in a situation where it's so bad you have nothing to lose!
Good luck!
posted on May 14, 2002 11:32:05 AM new
Thanks, odaychris! I have Oxy-clean and can try that. I'll bet eBay has some actual "doll" cleaning products. I haven't heard of Spray-Nine before but will keep an eye out for it.
lurking is not an option
