I have numerous Indian porcelain dolls. Most of them have feathers on their head and throughout their clothes. In the few years that I've had them, they have gotten extremely dusty. I'm not sure how to clean them without messing up their braided hair and their feathers. Can someone please help me? Thank you.
Wrap the dolls carefully and securely in nylon net and then use your vacuum cleaner to suck the dust through the net. The net will hold the hair and feathers in place while the holes in the net will allow the dust to be removed. A similar method can be used to remove dust/dirt from antique clothing. Lay the garment on a flat surface and cover the garment with a window screen. Then vacuum the window screen.
My daughter has a collection of porcelain dolls from all over the world (about 50 of all different sizes)and they are really dusty. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas as to how to clean them. The clothes are also smokey (we used to smoke in the apt. before buying a new house and no longer smoke in the house. We are working on quitting permanently.) and I would really like to get the smell and dust off of them before we put them up on shelves again. Any and all suggestions greatly appreciated.
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Request: Cleaning Porcelain Dolls (09/27/2009)
My porcelain dolls are from 1985 and there is graying on the cheeks of their faces. How do I clean it off without destroying them?
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Request: Cleaning Porcelain Dolls
Archived on 09/27/2009
My porcelain dolls are from 1985 and there is graying on the cheeks of their faces. How do I clean it off without destroying them?
cjmm from Jacksonville, FL
Feedback:
RE: Cleaning Porcelain Dolls
I believe you can use white bread, like an eraser. You tear the bread (not the crust) and squish it into a ball, then rub the surface of the dolls face. It will pick up any dust dirt/grime without any damage to the porcelain. It is an old fashioned tip, but I believe it will do the trick. Good luck. (01/05/2009)
I use rubbing alcohol. Use a container large enough to immerse the entire doll. Soak a few minutes and then swish or dunk a few times to remove any solids. Drain until dry. This removes nicotine stains, too. (02/23/2009)
Cleaning Porcelain Dolls With Hair: I have porcelain dolls and want to clean them and wash their hair. They were given to me and the hair needs to be cleaned and styled. Can you tell me how to clean and style their hair?
Thank you, Oceans
Answers:
RE: Cleaning Porcelain Dolls
My suggestion would be buy a can of air like what is used to clean computers or find a friend with an air compressor and blow the dust off. If the clothes are stained by nicotine, (they are yellowed) make a mild solution of oxy-clean and gently wash them and then let them air dry. Then I would spray them with Fabreeze to get the smell out.
You might also try putting the clothes in the dryer on an air only cycle and see if that doesn't get rid of the dust. I also collect Porcelain dolls and I smoke but I try to take all of their clothes to the dry cleaners to get them clean. They only charge me a dollar per outfit. I have also hand washed the outfits so I know that will remove the discoloration of the clothes. Good luck. (12/07/2004)
By Debra in Colorado.
RE: Cleaning Porcelain Dolls
Hi. I collect porcelain dolls as well as many of my family members. There are a couple different techniques that actually work very well. One is to get some "Static Guard", and hold it about 4-6in. from dolls clothing and hair and spray them down. Next take a vacuum hose and vacuum the dolls. If you let the static guard sit about 5 minutes, the dust vacuums right off.
Also, for the actual porcelain parts of the doll, there is a cleaner called "Awesome", and that is exactly how it works! It also works to clean hundreds of other things too. (04/10/2005)
By Bubbles76
RE: Cleaning Porcelain Dolls
Most dolls have painted faces. Most cleaners will wash the paint off so go gently and test it in smaller areas before using cleaning products. (09/08/2005)
