Washing Doll Hair?

[SarahO]

So, I've just bought a couple of Monster High dolls with the intention of re-painting their faces, and I noticed that some of the ones that have bangs, the hair is very stiff like it's been coated in glue. Does anyone have any suggestions about washing that out? Will it look weird if I do? If not, what's the best sort of soap to use to do that?

[Linainversetsg]

I'd soak the head in warm water for awhile to loosen up the substance (i hate it when they do that!) and once the hair is softer and pliable i'd give it a good wash with something like dawn dish soap. Once it feels like the hair is rinsed free of all of the stuff restyle it and let it dry.
the hair will likely be a bit more puffed up as it won't have the hard stuff forcing it to lay perfectly flat, but you can style it later to get rid of that without the hard stuff in the hair.

[SarahO]

Great, thanks so much for the advice ^_^

[magkelly]

I know there are plenty of people out there who will disagree with me on this one but I've found that Garnier shampoo and the conditioner in the tub can work miracles on doll hair. I've tried detergent and fabric softener like Downy which is supposed to be better for dolls and it works okay too but there is something in the Garnier that seems to work better. There is a rare doll, like the Bratzilla that doesn't respond to it, to anything, lol, but that's the exception to the rule. Most of the time I do the dolls in the Garnier and use the tub conditioner and their hair comes out just beautiful.

[Lamia of the Dark]

I just rinse my Monsters' hair in warm water and that usually gets the stuff out, without even actually washing it with any kind of soap or shampoo.

[SarahO]

Thanks guys! I think I'll try just straight warm water and go from there

[Greyhaunt]

The reason most shampoos and hair conditioners are discouraged for use on doll hair is because they have additives which will stay on the fibers of the doll hair and eventually make them limp and more likely to attract dirt. Doll hair isn't real hair, so all those good things in shampoo/conditioner that help our hair are pretty much useless for them. I did a lot of research into Barbie restoration when I unearthed my old ones and most authorities recommend the dish washing liquid and fabric softener route.

[catshem]

If you ever find the hair to be a REAL matted mess, a little conditioner goes a long way. I've also used a cleaned up eyelash brush on doll hair to de-stiff it, but that's been on the ones who haven't been caked with hair glue.