Friday, May 16, 2014

Helpful Guidelines For Collecting Soft Dolls And Caring For Them

By Minnie Whitley


Adults and children alike can enjoy the hobby of collecting dolls. The choice of enchanting dollies one can add to her collection ranges from the delicate china ones to the huggable soft dolls with stuffed bodies made of cloth like the celebrated Raggedy Ann and Andy. A collector should have a good idea of what factors can affect the price of these treasured playthings, and also how to give them the care they require to last and stay looking lovely.

The doll's era often plays a big part in determining how valuable it will be considered on the market. Typically antique and collectible dolls will fetch a higher price than newer ones, but not always. An informed buyer will also be aware of particular details to note which are tell-tale marks of quality such as hairstyle, features, stitching, and even the clothing they are wearing.

Things like being played with and simply aging can cause a doll to develop a crack, hole, or worn-out spot, but in most instances such minor flaws can be fixed by someone who specializes in toy restoration. Valuable dolls with signs of wear or damage can often be bought for a great, low price and then restored to their former glory.

How in demand and popular a doll is also plays a major role in determining how much it's worth. Doll buyers whose goal is to select items for resale will need to research market prices for the dolls they are looking to purchase, but they must realize that these are normally based on a mint condition doll, so those in poorer shape will go for less.

Whether a fabric doll is part of a treasured collection or a child's beloved companion, it may eventually need to be cleaned in order to stay looking its best. Special care must be taken when it comes to cleaning as to avoid permanently harming the doll and spoiling its appearance. If done properly, it can revitalize how the toy looks and assist in its preservation.

Prior to cleaning, it's advisable to try to determine what materials the doll has been made from. Labels, if they are still intact will normally provide this information, but if these are gone some cautious investigation be needed to reveal the most suitable cleaning approach. Taking a damp cloth and lightly dabbing the doll's back will help determine if the fabric's dyes are prone to bleeding, if they do water cannot safely be used on the doll.

Dolls that can be washed, should then have their stuffing taken out via a slight opening in one seam. Next, washing can be done using either a gentle baby shampoo or a detergent for fine washables, thorough rinsing to wash out any residue, wringing out, and finally hanging to dry can then be carried out. When the body is completely dry, stuffing can be put back and the seam neatly sewn up.

Dolls in reasonably good condition made of cotton fabric, which contain polyester stuffing and have acrylic yarn hair, can even be washed in the gentle cycle of the washing machine with regular detergent and hot water. If they have no plastic parts sewn onto them, they be tumble dried on low heat, but in most cases air drying on a line is recommended.




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