Learn how to restore vintage fashion doll finds that are soiled.

By A. Glenn Mandeville

At a doll show recently, I saw a played-with 1950s Revlon bride doll that does not appear in any Ideal catalog. The dealer allowed me to inspect the costume and the doll. It was definitely all-original, and I decided that, with a little work, this might be an opportunity to add an outstanding doll in a rare costume to my collection. I am using this doll to show how to restore just about any vintage fashion doll made of hard plastic and vinyl.

My doll came with everything except the veil, which was a minor factor. Other accessories were present but dirty. The methods I used to clean them worked for me. If you have your own or better ones, let us know!

I spent six hours on this project from start to finish. You might want to break it down into two parts by doing the doll one day and the clothing the next. Make sure you give your project your full, uninterrupted attention, and assemble all the materials you’ll need before you begin.

Cleaning the doll
My doll had surface soil, but the paint was intact. Always start with soap and water and then see what dirt is left. In this case, I needed some degreasing dish detergent to remove all of the soil. A loop lamp (a clip-on lamp that has both a bulb and a magnifying glass) mounted on the table is helpful. It allows you to see the soil in the nostrils, ears, eyes and eyelids. Use a dry toothbrush at first to loosen the debris, then rub the brush across a bar of soap. After rinsing gently, work the toothbrush into the crevices. One particular ground-in spot of soil required some kitchen cleanser, but I never use it on an entire doll because it contains bleach and pumice, both of which are not good for dolls.

The hair was the most desirable collector color, a gorgeous movie-star blonde. I had to look between the soiled, dingy brown layers to see the true color. To clean dirty hair, use a grease-removing dishwashing detergent. Squirt a small amount in a glass bowl, then add lukewarm water.

With the face turned up, carefully dip the head into the water and use your fingers to work the detergent through the hair. Be careful not to get the solution into the doll’s eyes. After a minute or so, transfer the head, again face up, to a bowl of clean water. Dip and then work the detergent out of the hair. You might have to repeat this step four or five times until the water remains clear. If water gets in the eyes, wrap the wet head in a white paper towel and immediately use a hair dryer on low, held about 5 inches away from the eyes. The water will come right out!

The next step involves combing the hair out and then setting the hair with small rollers from the drugstore. It is helpful to have a mint doll to copy from or a photo of one so that you can give your doll an authentic style. I clip the stray hairs at the top of the section, just like a real hair stylist would do. This makes for a smoother set.

Revlon hair has acetate plastic in it and, because of this, care must be taken to avoid extreme heat. I gently dried the curls with a hair dryer on low. Some fashion dolls can have their set hair dipped in boiling water for a tight curl, but it is best to clip a tiny section of hair from the center back of the head and do a test curl to make sure the hair doesn’t frizz, or, in the case of the Revlon dolls, turn white in boiled water.

Using a new hair net, bobby pins and hairpins that are in scale from a doll supply house, comb out the set and then copy the curl pattern from your mint doll or photo.

If you don’t like the first results, comb out the hair again and repeat the process. When finished, spray with an unscented hair spray and use your fingers to smooth strays. You can clip stubborn hairs here as well. I then use a touch of creme rouge to add some cheek color. Since this will come right off with soap and water, you don’t have to worry about putting it on incorrectly. Just a small dab, fanned outward with your fingers while you have the doll under your loop light, will restore the factory finish. Should the nail or toe polish be worn (in this case it was not), a concentrated acrylic paint in a matching color applied with a fine brush can replace it. The paint also can be removed easily with soap and water or a swab dipped in alcohol. The doll portion of this project is now finished.

Cleaning the dress
The costume on this particular doll was a challenge. There was heavy soil on the neckline, sleeves and bodice. The Revlon tag was crisp, so I needed to clean the dress without fading the tag.

Wearing latex gloves, fill a large glass bowl with non-chlorine bleach cleaner. Have another large glass bowl filled with clean water nearby. At this time you must not be interrupted. Hold the dress by the tag with your gloved fingers tight against the tag at the waist of the dress. Submerge the dress in the bowl, holding the tag out of the water with one hand. With the other hand, agitate the solution until you see that the soil is gone. Since this can take five to 20 minutes, you have to be patient. Keep a firm grip on the tag tight against the dress and it should stay dry.

When the dress is clean, while still holding on to the tag, dip the dress repeatedly in the clear water. If you have to change the water, ask for assistance; or do it all with your other hand, but do not let go of the tag. Refill the pan with clear water and keep rinsing the dress until the water remains clear.

The next step to me is the most important one in this process. Lay a clean, white towel on an outdoor table. Holding the dress in one hand, gently shake, or swirl, it around and around until it falls into shape. Then lay it on the white towel and shape it by hand. This process will help avoid all but the most minimal touch-up ironing.

Put a white paper towel over the tag and let the dress dry. After an hour in the sun, it should be dry. If the dress isn’t dry, keep checking until it is. If some ironing is required, use the cleanest iron you can find and set it on the steam setting. Try to let the steam touch up the areas that need it. Do not press on the material—that leaves a shine.

For the dry Revlon tag, I used spray starch and saturated the tag. When it was almost dry, I ironed the Revlon streamer and then clipped the stray strings off the ends with manicure scissors. The like-new feeling returned to the tag!

Underwear, stockings, shoes, etc., can be laundered safely in soapy water, then dried in the sun. Be sure they are completely dry. Never put them in a dryer.

Final details
This particular doll required a replacement veil. Remember that with most vintage fashion dolls, less fabric is more. Take the dress with you to a bridal shop or cloth shop and match the color and scale of the net.

For this veil, I cut a rectangle that was twice the width of the spread of the dress. I then folded back a 6-inch section and ran a gathering stitch by hand quickly through the net. Fitting it to each corner of the end of the bangs on the doll’s head, I pinned it in place. Since the scale and color were a perfect match, the veil looks authentic. Since I have no idea what the original veil was like, I could be creative. If you know what the originals look like, it is best to match accessories. The vintage flowers and ribbons came with the doll, as did the bouquet. I soaked the ribbons in non-chlorine bleach until they were clean and then I sewed them by hand to each side of the veil at the temples and on the wrist bouquet.

Be aware that when fixing up a vintage doll, less is often more. Consult with doll friends if you are about to attempt something about which you have doubts.

A doll spruced up like this Revlon doll is worth at least twice what she was before this project. For a very reasonable price and six hours of my time, I put this doll into such good condition that she now lives in one of my display cabinets. Learning these skills will help a collector on a budget to amass an outstanding collection at affordable prices. And, bonding with a doll that you have restored enhances the collecting experience for any doll lover.

Remember that this doll had all the essentials, and no accessories were missing except for the veil. A collector must inventory what is being sold and assess what has to be replaced, such as hard-to-find vintage shoes. Factor in the cost of supplies and the time finding missing items. The best buys are ones like my doll, soiled but with most accessories. Finally, write down what you have fixed up on your doll on a tiny piece of white paper and pin it to the inside of the dress so that another owner can appreciate your talents someday!