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

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

Thursday, February 4, 2010

{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

8 Comments:

Blogger Sue said...

Wonderful post Marie!
I'm sure it will help many people to take care of their natural dolls.
Love the pictures! :0)

Sue

February 4, 2010 at 9:12 AM  
Blogger FairiesNest said...

This is a fantastic article and great info for all natural doll lovers!

February 4, 2010 at 10:02 AM  
Blogger prettydreamer said...

Thank you ... wonderful post!

February 4, 2010 at 6:08 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

i love those waldorf dolls in the first photo. i really would like one but unfortunately i can never really afford one. so very sweet though!

February 4, 2010 at 6:13 PM  
Blogger germandolls said...

Great Post! I also love the pictures that go along with it!

February 5, 2010 at 6:41 AM  
Anonymous The Magic Onions said...

Yes, very sweet photos. And lovely post... good to know how.

February 5, 2010 at 11:05 PM  
Anonymous Lovealittle said...

Thank you for those clear instructions, Jen.

One of my huggy dolls accidentally found herself in a regular machine wash followed by a tumble dry. I'd never recommend but she seems to have survived ;)

February 7, 2010 at 1:00 PM  
Blogger Barbara Oudejans said...

Hi Beth, I saw you visited my weblog! Thanks for leaving a comment! I am from Holland, so Dutch. I will come to visit your weblog when I have more time, because I see a lot of nice things and I want to take a good look! Bye! Barbara

February 8, 2010 at 11:50 AM  

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