How to Detangle and Soften Doll Hair

Doll hair can get dirty and tangled during play or storage. Fabric softener or baby shampoo are both suitable for cleaning most doll hair. These products help soften the hair and eliminate tangles. After detangling and softening the doll's hair, make sure to brush it regularly to prevent similar issues in the future. These methods work well for most dolls, whether they are made of plastic or fabric. However, if the manufacturer provides specific instructions, be sure to read them carefully before washing or brushing the doll's hair.

Soak the hair in fabric softener. Choose a reputable fabric softener brand for the best results. Pour a small amount of fabric softener into a bowl or cup. The amount depends on the doll's hair. You should have enough fabric softener to submerge the doll's hair completely.

• To avoid wasting fabric softener, start with a small amount and gradually add more until the hair is fully submerged.
• Place the doll's hair in the bowl. Use your fingers to dip the hair into the fabric softener. Continue until the hair is fully wet.
• Set the doll aside in a safe place where it won't be disturbed. Leave the hair submerged for at least one hour. If the doll's hair is very stiff, it's recommended to leave it overnight.

Brush the hair while it's still damp with fabric softener. After soaking the doll's hair for a set amount of time, gently brush it while there's still fabric softener in it. Fabric softener works similarly to conditioner, softening the hair and making it easier to detangle.

• It's best to use a wide-toothed comb for doll hair, as this type of comb untangles the hair most effectively. If you don't have a doll hair comb, any wide-toothed comb will work. Brush slowly to avoid breaking the hair. However, for smaller dolls like Barbie, a regular comb can also work well.
• If you're working with a doll that has very long hair, use your fingers to detangle knots and tangles before combing.

Rinse the hair. Once you've finished brushing, the next step is to rinse out the fabric softener. Simply hold the hair under running water in the sink. Make sure you thoroughly rinse out all the fabric softener. If any is left behind, it could damage the hair. Squeeze the hair to check if any fabric softener is still dripping out. Continue rinsing until it's completely clean.

• You can use a clean towel to blot the doll's hair dry. Alternatively, you can air-dry the hair by placing the doll outside in the sun.
• Avoid using a blow dryer to dry the doll's hair. The hair is too soft and delicate to withstand heat from a blow dryer.

Brush the hair with a regular comb. Once the hair is nearly dry, brush it again. This time, use a regular comb to straighten the hair and smooth out smaller tangles. Brushing at this stage will also help the hair dry faster.

Fill a cup or bowl with cold water. You can use baby shampoo to soften the doll's hair. Choose a cup or bowl large enough to submerge the doll's hair completely. The water should be cooler if the doll has curly hair. Warm or hot water will straighten out the curls.

Stir ¼ teaspoon of baby shampoo into the water. Once you've filled a bowl or cup with water, add ¼ teaspoon of baby shampoo and stir until the shampoo fully dissolves in the water.

• Don’t substitute baby shampoo with regular shampoo. Baby shampoo is formulated to be gentle and safe for doll hair. If you don’t have baby shampoo, you can purchase some, or you can use a mild shampoo for sensitive skin or color-treated hair as an alternative.

Wash the doll's hair. After preparing the water, submerge the doll's hair in it. Gently swirl the doll's head in the water until the hair is thoroughly wet. Then, use your hands to lather the hair, massaging gently until you see small soap bubbles form.

Soak the doll's hair in the bowl for about 10 minutes. Once the doll's hair is washed, leave it in the shampoo water for about 10 minutes. This is the time for the shampoo to soften the hair, untangling it and making it shiny. Place the doll somewhere safe, away from any impact.

Rinse the hair three times. After 10 minutes, rinse the doll's hair. Pour out the shampoo water, clean the bowl, and fill it with fresh water. Rinse the hair in the bowl until the water becomes soapy due to the shampoo residue. Continue to clean the bowl and repeat the process two more times.

• Just make sure to rinse all the shampoo out. If there’s still soap in the third rinse, rinse the doll's hair under running water until the soap is completely gone. Any soap left on the hair for too long could damage it.

Dry the hair. Once the hair is completely rinsed, you'll need to dry it a little. Avoid brushing the hair while it’s still wet. Instead, wait until it’s slightly damp. To dry the hair, you can hang the doll upside down to air dry the hair. Alternatively, you can use a towel to blot the water off the hair. Again, do not use a blow dryer, as it will damage the doll's hair.

Brush the hair. Start the brushing process while the hair is still damp. For smaller dolls, a regular comb is sufficient. For larger dolls, use a wide-toothed comb designed for doll hair or any wide-tooth comb.

• Brush slowly to avoid breaking or damaging the hair.
• If the doll has long hair, use your fingers to detangle the knots first.

Remove accessories from the hair. Before washing the doll's hair, make sure to remove any accessories, such as bows, headbands, clips, or other decorations that may be attached.

• If the doll has been stored for a long period, some accessories may be stuck in the hair. Take the time to carefully check for any items still caught in the hair before washing it.

Brush the doll's hair regularly. To prevent the hair from tangling or getting damaged, it’s important to brush it frequently. After you or a child is done playing with the doll, make sure to brush the hair before placing the doll back in its resting spot.

• Brush the hair yourself, starting from the tips and working your way up to remove any tangles.

Avoid over-styling the doll's hair. Styling the doll's hair can be fun, but creating too many complex hairstyles will cause tangling and damage. Stick to simple styles like braids or ponytails instead of trying to replicate trendy looks you might see on TV or in movies. This will help keep the hair looking shiny and smooth.

Read the manufacturer's instructions first, if available. Before washing the doll's hair, check if you still have the manufacturer's instructions. Some dolls come with specific care instructions for their hair. For example, American Girl dolls may have hair that shouldn't be washed at home. The manufacturer often provides a phone number for additional advice if the doll's hair gets damaged.

Be cautious when washing dolls with motors. If the doll has a motor, you should be extra careful when washing it. Water can damage these types of dolls. If possible, remove the doll's hair or head before washing it. Alternatively, you can wrap the doll in plastic wrap to protect it from water damage during the wash.