Marsha Y emailed asking if I could clean two of her dolls from the late 1950’s-early-1960’s. She wanted to could give them to her new granddaughter. 
Yes, I said, and met her to do the “pass-off” in a Walgreen’s parking lot.
Marsha’s dolls had their original clothing on. One she said was called “Marge the Teenage Doll,” and the other was a ballerina. Both dolls’ outfits were in good condition, though one dress was badly yellowed. I suggested that Marsha take the clothing to my textile cleaner downtown. She did, but the cleaner didn’t get the yellow out of the dress. So my client decided to use Oxyclean and she was happier with those results. It all depends on what you would like to accomplish with the clothing. The textile cleaner errs on the side of caution, knowing the chemicals and the fibers’ reaction to them. But for general bleaching, yes, Oxyclean and other agents (like Borax) will also lift stains. I leave that part to either the pro cleaner or to my customers.
I also asked that Marsha keep all the dolls’ accessories (shoes, hair ribbons, flocked hair flowers, nylon hose, plastic shoes, undies.) This is so nothing gets lost in the exchange, and she can keep them with the doll’s box or label them for the appropriate doll.
With the now nude dolls in hand, I set out to clean them. Here are the two of them, prior to cleaning:
Here are some areas that were cleaned:
There were mildew spots and some discoloration from dirt on the face, eyes, torsos and limbs. Both dolls’ wigs retained a good level of shininess, but after bathing the dolls, I carefully (so as not to get water inside the head) shampooed each head of hair. Once that’s completed, the wigs are brushed out with a detangling agent and then set with curlers (for Marge doll) or styled in a bun (for the ballerina.) The ballerina’s wig was totally made for a bun, as only the outer hair was long. The inner hair near the scalp was only made to have the outer hair pulled over it. So back it went into that style.
The Marge doll had a split in her rubber face at the chin, and I tried to glue it with special cement for gluing rubber, but it did not work. I ended up getting it together with a simple stitch (beige thread) knotted on both sides. This will work well for a “shelf sitter” type pretty doll, but not for one that will be played with.
Both dolls looked great once I was finished. I’ve just been too busy to get photos from Marsha (and forgot to take them like I always do) but will post soon with “After” shots. Until then, here “Before” photos of their wigs. As stated, the ballerina’s (Left) went up into a high bun and the Marge doll’s went back the same way, but with more curl, and with her bangs smoothed down and more evened out:
Okay, Marshas sent these “After” photos! Don’t the dolls look great?! I just love how she had all their accessories. And the ballerina’s dress did wash up nicely.
