Water damage to Monster High dolls?

[Samseramsamsam]

Sadly, my apartment got flooded during a thunderstorm (monsoon rain/whatever). I stored some of my "less valuable" (as put aside for custom and/o sale) MH dolls in a rather beautiful, but sadly cardboard, carton.

Thought the dolls should be dried out by now, I have the sinking feeling that somehow their hair took damage ("glue seepage" feeling; simply washing did not help much, will try again the whole routine of washing, fabric softener and boil...).

Any tipps? Might they just need more than five days to completely dry out? Can the leg mechanism take damake from being submerged, even if only for some short time?

Always BUY PLASTIC BOXES for storage...!

[victoriavictrix]

Try getting some desiccant packets and seal the dolls and the packets inside an airtight plastic bin.

[Kd_Bunchanumbers]

Just be careful of mold forming in the hair since I've found dolls stored in damp places can result in moldy stuff growing on them.

[DollyKim]

After baths I let everyone air dry in the tub or on a towel incase they make puddles. Some of my dolls used to get baths and go swimming all the time.

For the hair boiling could change the texture, I've ended up with frizzies on some Mattel dolls that way. Liquid dish soap might work to get rid of the glue, it for icky greasy messes, something that doesn't leave a residue.

[Samseramsamsam]

Thanks for the tipps!

Have now ordered desiccant packets (and bought a nice plastic container), and checked the poor things for mold, but so far they seem ok (Kd, what were the first signs for mold on your dolls...?).

DollyKim, I always use liquid dish soap, and as "conditioner" they get a quick rinse with fabric softener (Peach scented ^^"). It will still be some time until I have enough space to have them sit and airdry after a "hair session", but that is always quite relaxing for me ^^"

Some people swear by mixing fabric softener with water and spraying it to the doll hair, not washing it out, has anyone of you tried that yet..?

[Tasuke]

NVM, SORRY...

[victoriavictrix]

Some people swear by mixing fabric softener with water and spraying it to the doll hair, not washing it out, has anyone of you tried that yet..?

When I did fashion dolls--and for BJD wigs--my go-to is to rub them down with a new fabric softener sheet.

[DollyKim]

I'm going to try the fabric softener sheet.

Recently I've been have some success with rubbing baby powder in to Jackson's hair, wet or dry, letting it sit for awhile then rinsing with cold water. It might take a few times.

[Quillis]

When I did fashion dolls--and for BJD wigs--my go-to is to rub them down with a new fabric softener sheet.

Ooh, think I'll go try that too. I just got a J-doll whose hair is somewhat unmanageable at the moment. Thanks Victoria!

[Samseramsamsam]

That is a great tip, with the fabric softener sheets! I tried it with one I had washed already, and it leaves the hair a) smelling very good and b) nice and smooth, but still soft