{how-to} washing and taking care of natural soft dolls

Today's how-to tutorial comes from Austrian Waldorf doll-maker Marie of Knecht Ruprecht (visit her lovely shop here). You can also visit her blog here.

Children fall in love with Waldorf-style, natural dolls almost immediately. Their wool stuffing, natural fibres and creativity-inducing features spark a magical chord with little ones. As Marie quotes (from Shariffa Oppenheimer) on her shop site, "As the child nurtures & mothers the doll, he is - not simply metaphorically but also in reality - caring for himself." All that love and attention can leave parents wondering how to best take care of these dolls, and how to go about giving one a bath. Well, here's how!

When your doll becomes soiled from play, you can give it a bath.
If possible try to do spot removal before giving a whole bath.



Sometimes it is just necessary. Fill a basin with cool water and add a small amount of mild soap. Immerse the doll in the water.



Let the doll soak for a some time, especially if it is heavily soiled. Gently squish the soapy water in and out of the doll. Empty the water out of the basin, and press gently down on the doll to squeeze out as much water as you can, but don't twist or wring the body.



Refill the basin with clear water, and rinse the doll thoroughly. Do this several times to get all the soap out. When the doll is rinsed, wrap it in a towel and squeeze gently to remove more water. Reshape the head and limbs if necessary. Place the doll, face up, on a towel and let it dry.



Since the towels will get saturated with water, use a few and keep rotating to soak up the water.



posted by Jen of SewnNatural