I have an old Arne Hasle elf doll that has sticky latex legs, face, and hands. How do I clean them? Is it toxic?
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
WebMD has a good article about this and from being in the medical industry for 19 years, it is one of the trusted sources that provides facts to allow consumers to make up their own minds of their risk--which for some people appears to be minimal, and for others it could be of concern.
They talk about the chemical changes and who may be at risk, and they do make a comment somethign to the effect that for most people it is not like rat poison, which is toxic to people and rats.
www.webmd.com/
If you are highly sensitive chemicals, then yes, you may want to avoid contact with the dolls and even remove them from your home. But if you don't feel you are at risk, you can work to keep the issue away with regular cleanings with Dawn dish soap (only use the blue--avoid the red, pink, yellow, green color versions as they may stain the doll).
Some people find baby powder dusted over them (or corn starch) after they are clean helps keep the "sticky" away...but I am sensitive to those things (so I do not use them).
Knowledge is key and then make up your own mind about your risk.
One caveat I have is if you ever go to sell the dolls, common courtesy is to tell the buyer you have treated them for the stickiness and let THEM decide of they want to buy. Some people don't care, but those who are sensitive do!
Oh my word I am so angry with Google right now. I searched and searched and searched for how to clean my Arne Hasle nisse, asked doll groups and got nowhere. Finally, I just decided to go for it with the soap, water, baking soda, type stuff and am almost done when this popped up in my search for sticky latex doll!
Yes, "sticky doll disease" is toxic -- the result of oils and chemicals coming to the surface of the material as it breaks down. I would advise putting your doll in a bell jar for display only.
Add your voice! Click below to answer. ThriftyFun is powered by your wisdom!
