Asked on Aug 21, 2020
How do I clean porcelian doll clothes that are yellowed?
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Answered
have a bunch of dolls I bought that were kept in a attic, clothes are yellowed ? some have small stains of what I havent a clue any suggestions? Please and Thanks!!
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Here are some gentler ideas! https://housekeeping.wonderhowto.com/how-to/10-ways-whiten-clothes-without-using-any-bleach-0162473/
I have used Biz in hot water, soaking overnight on 30 year old baby clothes, white and colored. Worked great.
how about the cloth on the doll herself? I know I cant submerge them or can I?
Thank You so very much!!!
Here's a step-by-step process that makes sure you don't damage the fabric:
https://ourpastimes.com/clean-antique-doll-clothes-2123424.html
Here's what I found online. Hope it's helpful!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQa19yGKvSY
you all have been so helpful!!! So excited to get started!! MANY THANKS AGAIN!!!
Wash them in Ivory liquid by hand and rinse well. Then soak in BIZ a safe bleach product and every day change the water and add more BIZ to soak again until they are white enough for you. It works beautifully!
Good Luck, Ann
This site might have some useful information for you:
https://www.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-a-Porcelain-Doll
Soak in baking soda and water. Rinse well. Or add Oxiclean to the baking soda for extra hard stains
Hello, hope this helps you out, A mixture of baking soda, peroxide, and water applied directly to the yellow stain will remove it. Mix equal parts of baking soda, peroxide, and water in a small container. Apply the mixture to the stain and use a bristle brush to rub the mixture in to the fabric.
Hello. A soak in an Oxiclean solution might be advisable. I have soaked some vintage lace with success.
Hi! I always start with a basin with warm or hot water and Oxiclean for vintage and older fabrics. Gently swish them around and let them soak. When the water looks cloudy, change it, gently rinsing the fabric with the water as you fill the basin. Linens and lace often require an overnight soak. The final basin of water is clear and I don't add anything, gently agitating any residue out. You can also rinse under running water. I always air dry, either on a towel or draped on a rack. Be careful of dark colors, especially red, because they often run. Only use cool to cold water with them and wash alone. Since you mentioned yellowing, I'm assuming they are mostly white fabric. Some fabrics become very fragile when stored in hot, dusty attics, so handle them gently. Good luck and stay safe!
Just saw that you also asked someone about the dolls themselves. Surface cleaning with a gentle hand is usually the best method. You do not want to get the body or porcelain really wet or soak them. If there is any odor, wrap them in a pillowcase with a bag of bamboo charcoal and that will help. I have a collection of old dolls, and they are easily damaged with water. Most cloth bodies are stuffed with anything from cotton, sawdust, wool and even horsehair - stuff you don't want to get wet. Don't use anything stronger than a little baby shampoo on a damp cloth on any part of them as you may remove the original finish or if there is any damage, like a small crazing, the moisture could seep in. Dolls, especially vintage and antique have a lot of information online and people who repair and restring them, professionally.
I vote for Oxiclean solution.
Dollar stores have generic oxygenated bleach that works well.
Hi Moonstruck: Here are a couple of sites that talk about vintage clothes and how to clean them:
https://www.fashion-era.com/Vintage_fashion/a13_cleaning_vintage_tips.htm
https://2beesinapod.com/2018/02/23/clean-vintage-linens-fabric/
https://bloomersandfrocks.com/pages/caring-for-vintage-clothing
Good luck
Wash them by hand dish soap or woolite hang dry
Oh! I am a BIG fan on Oxi-Clean. Soak them overnite, turn once or twice and then wash on gentle. Hang to dry.
I use Young Living’s Thieves cleaner on all our laundry