For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
I have porceline dolls from when I was small. I need to clean them. Any help on how to accomplish this would be greatly apprieciated.
Jenn, are the made from porcelaine completely or just the head?
I guess, a slightly wet towel would be best. And not to fuzz about too much, to avoid any damage.
And where it´s hard to reach, try a soft brush.
Good luck...
Gaby
The wig is really dusty!
I went to a doll conservation seminar with my mom a couple of years ago, and the presented several steps that you can take. Obviously, if the doll becomes clean, you don't proceed to the next step, as each step has a higher likely hood of causing harm.
I think that most doll conservation folks start with a soft dry cloth... lightly dust
Then a slightly damp cloth....
Then a cloth that has a bit of foam from some Ivory dish soap.
I know that they suggest that you use a white cloth, so you can check the cloth from time to time to make sure that you aren't taking off any of the paint.
A small soft brush, like a paintbrush or a baby toothbrush is good for getting into creases and crevices.
Can you tell what the wig is made out of? How old are the dolls?
Kim Basta
They are 25 years old and unfourtunately I don't know what it is made of.
Hi Jenn! If they are early 1980's dolls, their hair is probably saran, or nylon, or some other "plastic" based product. It's probably woven into sort of a mesh "skull cap" looking thing that is then glued to the head. I'd try canned air first... it's often used to clean out computers... sometimes you have to actually ask a salesperson for it as some people "huff" the stuff!
Then try the dry cloth. If that doesn't get the dust out, wipe with a slightly damp cloth. If they have straight hair, you can comb through with a small, fine hair comb or toothbrush. If they have curly hair, you can try a comb as well, but you might displace the curls a bit. When combing, start at the ends of the hair and work up toward the scalp, being careful not to break the hair off, or pull it out where it has been "rooted." Be sure NOT to get any water on the skull cap itself. Sometimes water can cause the glue to come undone.
Kim Basta
Thankyou guys.