Guest Author - Susan Kramer

Wooden dolls need to be carefully cleaned and maintained to look their best. Dolls are little companions and deserve the best treatment possible. Wooden dolls are special enough to pass from generation to generation and you will be able to do this with some special care.

The first step in cleaning your wooden dolls is to dust them with a feather duster or lambs wool duster - the important point being not to use an abrasive cloth or one of the sponges from the kitchen that have a rough side to be used on pots.

Moving to the next step if needed. If your wooden doll has a varnish finish you can first use a damp cloth dipped in plain water. Water is always the first liquid substance to try when cleaning hard surface vinyl and wooden dolls. But do be sure not to dip your doll in water - no bathtub companion!

Cleaning the wooden doll surface is especially tricky over portions that are painted on, like eyes, for instance. Some wooden dolls even have hair painted on - we'll talk about wigs in a moment. Be especially careful to go gently wiping dust or light grime from those painted portions. First dab the paint with a damp cloth to make sure it is permanent paint, before giving it a wipe.

If plain water is not sufficient I like to use fine wooden furniture polish. It is made to clean wood and after all, your doll is a fine piece of wooden art. Just put a dab of polish on your cloth and gentle rub along the grain of the wood.

I do not recommend using floor wax under any circumstances. The point is not to leave a surface finish behind! That's why I recommend a gentle furniture or dusting polish first sprayed or dabbed onto a cloth, not directly sprayed on your doll.

Moving on to the wig. Wooden dolls either have painted on hair or glued on wigs and a glued on wig, in my opinion is the most vulnerable part of a wooden doll. First try dusting the hair. But it is likely to need a new wig from the doll hospital or craft store if it is in very bad condition. Do not immerse the wig in water. At most use a hair dryer to blow dust from the wig if it has been sitting out on display.

With regular care and cleaning your dolls will look their best over the longest period of time. Enjoy your wooden dolls!

Article by Susan Kramer