Hi, all. We went to a garage sale this morning. While there, DD found a Raggedy Ann doll that she simply had to have. I normally don't like to buy that kind of stuff at garage sales because I like to to clean whatever I buy, but I decided to let her have it. So the question is--is there a good way to clean off this doll? Based on its condition and the overall condition of stuff at the sale-- and the condition of the sellers!--I don't think it's dirty-dirty, I just would like to clean it. Any ideas?
One thing I didn't mention in the original post is that the doll is like 50 years old, so I am a little reluctant to put in WM, but if others have had success I will give it a try! Thanks.
PS--I tell my daughter 'no' to a lot of things, and I am not interested in responses that tell me I should have told her 'no.' Thanks.
Just toss her in the washer. You can put her in a pillow case or lingerie bag to keep her a little safer. For any stains, try a some spot shot (get the low odor stuff in the spray bottle, not the aerosol). I would also add a scoop of oxyclean.
Take her clothes off and wash them in Joy lemon dish soap. Gently squeeze Raggedy in the same concoction(very gently). Then take all of her clothes and Ann herself outside and lay the on GREEN bushes to dry in direct sun. Repeat slow drying in the sun til all are dry. Joy is gentle and the lemon scent will help freshen her up. The sun and chlorphyll from the bushes will act as a bleaching agent to get any stains out. Once she and her clothes are clean, iron the clothes gently and redress her. She should be good to go. I love Raggedy Ann and still have the one my Mom made for me 40ish years ago. This is the ONLY way I have ever cleaned her and was recommended to me during my time with doll clubs and people who restore antique dolls. Best wishes and good for you for rescuing a Raggedy ... If I see old ones, I like to buy them too, especially if they have been loved. I hope your daughter knows how special this beautiful little rag doll is.
Raggedy will die a terrible death if you wash her on gentle cycle...her stuffing will go to her extremities because of the weight of the water from the spin cycle in the washer. She will not air dry because she will mildew from the inside because her stuffing will be too thick.
In order to thoroughly dry her, you'd have to use a dryer, but you'll find you have to leave her in the dryer so long that she'll start having more stuffing shifting to her extremities, scorching of fabric or details like buttons or yarn will melt. Also, her yarn may bleed and her face will fade from the washing too. I know from experience. I killed a couple of nice rag dolls this way.
I'd suggest using something like Dryell - those home dry cleaning products. That way she'll get freshened up and sanitized from the dryer's heat, but won't be in there long enough to reposition all of her stuff or melt her effects. Those products use a special heat resistent bag, so that should help protect her as she's tumbling around.
If she has visible stains or marks, I'd spot clean with a damp cloth...and avoid harsh cleaners...just mild soap if necessary. Otherwise the dry cleaning kits do have a stain remover...try it on a spot that's not visible on the doll and take it from there.
Whatever you do, don't wash her! Have you checked collector's catalogues? Raggedy Ann and Andy, Holly Hobbie and Robbie Hobbie, and Betsy Clark dolls are all big bucks with collectors if they're in mint condition.
Just throw it in the washer with lots of detergent and a little oxy clean! Sometimes I put my kids dolls/toys inside pillow cases so that they don't whack directly against the sides of the machine where they can get hair caught or smudged (especially if there are any plastic parts) and they still get perfectly clean. I put then in the dryer too and haven't had any issues yet.
take her to the drycleaners. they can do it for you. not sure what it will cost but a raggedy ann that old is probably worth some money if it is in good condition
hot water in the washing machine, doll in a pillow case.
khairete
S.
Put the in the washing machine on the gentle cycle. If you can fit in one of those netted bags that you might use for bras, it might also help keep her together.
My babies always want stuffed animals and dolls at garage sales too. It's hard because just like you I have to clean them. What has ALWAYS worked was putting it in a pillowcase and tying it shut with a hair tie or string and throwing it in the washing machine. That does include 3 different raggedy ann and andy dolls that are around 50 years old. Not to mention my name is H. so everyone buys me every single H. Hobby doll they find. Learned how to do this when I was pry 5 my mother did this when my older sister threw up on my beloved cabbage patch doll and it never fails with dolls and stuffed toys that are fabric. She actually called the babyland general hospital and this is what they told her to do to clean my beloved cabbage patch doll. Worked like a charm. Got the stains out, didn't mess up her hair either.
After that I just lay them flat to dry outside usually. I bet a line outside would work even better but we don't have one. So I just lay it out every day till it's dry. Does the trick. Good luck!
Put it in the washing machine in closed pillow case on a gentle/cold wash cycle. Air dry.
If you are okay with washing in the machine, why not just soak her up in soapy water and hand-wash & rinse? you will reduce the risk of her getting torn!
You may hang dry her outside for a few days.
