A crocheted doll made with love deserves a little extra care to keep it beautiful and long-lasting. Here are some practical tips for washing and maintaining your handmade dolls, depending on the materials and structures used.
🧵 Caring for Cotton Dolls
Dolls made with cotton yarn are generally sturdy and can handle washing fairly well — as long as you follow a few key precautions:
- Hand wash recommended: Use lukewarm water and a mild soap. Avoid wringing or twisting the doll, which could distort its shape.
- Machine washing is possible: If you choose to machine wash, place the doll in a mesh laundry bag and use a gentle cycle with cold water.
- Follow the yarn label instructions: Always check the yarn label for the recommended water temperature. If your doll combines multiple types of yarn, go with the lowest temperature indicated.
- Lay flat to dry: Gently press out excess water with a towel and let the doll dry flat, away from direct sunlight to avoid fading or warping.
🧸 Caring for Chenille or Velvet Yarn Dolls
Dolls made with chenille or velvet yarn need extra care — they’re more delicate (and if you’ve ever washed one, you know exactly what I mean… yikes!).
- Always hand wash: Chenille yarn is fragile and can shed or lose its texture when scrubbed. Stick to a gentle soak with a soft soap, no rubbing.
- Loose fibers or ends: Tuck loose ends in with a blunt yarn needle. Some crafters carefully melt the ends with a lighter to seal them — but only if you know what you’re doing, and with great caution!
- Lay flat to dry: Press the doll gently in a towel to absorb water, then let it dry completely on a flat surface, away from heat.
🧍‍♀️ Dolls with Aluminum Armature
If your doll has a wire armature for posing, here’s how to take care of it safely:
- Don’t fully submerge: Prolonged moisture can damage certain metals inside.
- Surface clean only: Use a damp cloth or lightly spot clean the outer areas.
- Air dry: Let the doll dry naturally, in a neutral pose, to preserve the internal structure.
🧺 General Tips to Keep Your Doll in Top Shape
- Wash only when truly necessary
- Store in a dry, cool place, out of direct sunlight
- Repair small damages quickly (loose threads, small snags, etc.)
With just a little care, your crocheted doll can stay soft, pretty, and huggable for many years — through playtime, snuggles, and memories to come 💛