My Waldorf doll has dirty spots.
Waldorf dolls or sun-child dolls are always made of natural materials. They are filled with clean, carded sheep's wool. This filling makes the handmade doll feel warm and lifelike, inviting lots of cuddles. Because the Waldorf doll is made of fabric (eco jersey), it can naturally get a bit dirty after many cuddles. We see sun-child dolls being taken along for sleepovers, played with outside, or used in the doll corner at a daycare center. A Waldorf doll is very popular to take everywhere because for many children, it's a true companion. The handmade doll can then get stains or its hair can become sticky, for example, from being handled with sticky fingers.
Waldorf dolls can be washed, but it must be done carefully. In general, the doll should be cared for with attention, but it is a doll to play with, and it often gets dirty from playing. Washing and repairing Waldorf dolls is very natural. It's best to remove stains shortly after they appear; that's the absolute best. What can you do?
1. Washing dirty spots:
If the doll is lightly soiled, you can wipe off the stains with a wrung-out clean cloth that has been moistened beforehand with lukewarm water and a small amount of mild soap. After removing dirt, wipe the material again with a clean damp cloth and set your newly cleaned Waldorf doll aside to air dry.
2. Washing the complete doll
If your Waldorf doll is very dirty, wash the entire doll and rub with the cloth as described in point 1 for small stains. Try not to get the inside of the doll too wet (remember it's sheep's wool!). If the doll has mohair hair, it's a good idea to protect or secure it before washing the doll (e.g., put a bag/foil over it). After washing, when the doll is wet, wrap the Waldorf doll in a large towel and gently squeeze it to remove any remaining water. Reshape the head, body, and limbs, if necessary. Place your fabric doll face up on a clean/dry towel and let it air dry. Since the towels quickly become saturated with water, you should regularly use a new clean and dry towel.
Do not twist or wring the doll. The doll should also not be dried on a heater or in the sun. They don't really like that and it makes your doll stiff and hard. It's better not to put the fabric doll in the washing machine or dryer; high temperatures from washing and/or drying will felt the wool filling of the handmade doll, permanently losing its shape and softness.
3. Washing hair / doll wig
A Waldorf doll or sun-child doll often has a mohair doll wig. This is a very delicate thread and can quickly lose its shape or become frizzy. You can wash a mohair wig well from the doll. Just try not to do it too often, as it won't make the hair look better. You can gently wash your Waldorf doll's mohair wig in almost cold water with a little wool detergent. After washing, rinse thoroughly and then it is very important not to rub too much! Again, gently dry the wig by placing a clean towel around it and carefully squeezing out the worst of the moisture. Then let your Waldorf doll dry lying down, not in the sun and not on the heater.
How can I recolor a doll's face after washing?
Beeswax crayons:
Many Waldorf dolls or Sun-child dolls have a face with a minimal expression. The fabric dolls often have small blushes on their cheeks made with beeswax crayons. Colored cheeks give the doll a little life. However, they disappear over time. You can easily darken the cheeks by rubbing them with beeswax crayons. To color the cheeks, rub beeswax crayons onto a small cloth and apply it to the cheeks by gently rubbing in circular motions. Be careful to do this in several steps, not too thick at once and very gently. Your Waldorf doll's cheeks can quickly turn too red and then give a very different look than you are used to. It's better to reapply some beeswax crayon several times until you have the right color than to apply too much at once.
What should I do if I have moths?
Moths:
Waldorf dolls are filled with natural sheep's wool, so it can happen that moths nest in them. The carded sheep's wool is a natural product. However, this is very rare, especially if the Waldorf doll is played with a lot. If it does happen, it is advisable to wrap the doll in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer for a few days, preferably a week. Make sure the bag is well sealed so that no moisture can get in. If all goes well, your fabric doll should be completely free of those annoying critters after a week in the freezer.
