Vintage rag doll. To wash or not to wash

[70sWitch]

Hi. Posting shamelessly for traffic (and because frankly, I have no idea where to put this)

We are doing a 70s Christmas this year - thread here for anyone who fancies a nostalgia trip www.mumsnet.com/Talk/Christmas/3650918-70s-Christmas?pg=1&order=

I have bought DD a vintage Hollie Hobby rag doll which is fab, but a little grubby.
I need advice on cleaning her up a bit. I'm loath to risk the washing machine tbh, but I don't know if I'm being over cautious.
Any advice gratefully received. TIA

I have those dolls - I had them when I was 11! Mine definitely went through the washing machine before I passed them on to my daughters.

Ah right. It was the hair I was mainly worried about.

On The Repair Shop they fill a bowl with mils shampoo & froth it up, then pat just the foam on the toy and wipe gently.

MILD not mils! You don't need to use your mother in law's shampoo

Into a pillow case, tie up the hair and a wool wash.

I would risk that in a very gentle wash as it looks in good condition.

I'd hand wash her in the sink and dry her like a pillow. I had one too. I don't know where she went.

iklboo haha. Just as well. I don't have a MIL so I'd be a bit stumped.

I like that idea. Truthfully I'm terrified of ruining her . She's so pretty.

I had a doll like this growing up and she's still around somewhere.

I was born in 1990 so mine is only around 20 years old and is already pretty delicate now, I definitely wouldn't chance the washing machine, maybe if it was reasonably new but not on one from the 70s.

Spot wash only like a pp mentioned with mild soap, foam only.

She's lovely btw op, your dd is very lucky!

She's in excellent condition. I'm really pleased with her. She's just like the one I had. No idea where mine ended up. DD loves dolls and bears. I know she'll love her.

I had to wash a very beloved stuffed platypus last week and found this from a cleaning expert. She goes through all the instructions and for something like this, she recommended a hand wash and tells you how in steps, including how to fix “grubbiness.”
offspring.lifehacker.com/how-to-wash-your-kids-precious-stuffed-animals-1803133014

This is Hollie Hobbie from the late 70s/80s.
I also had Heather her friend.
Sadly neither survived!

Beautiful @70sWitch
Hope you have a fabulous Christmas !

Thanks @RightYesButNo. I'll take a look after dinner.

AnneKipanki thank you. you too. 🎅🎄

I'd hand wash it in a bowl with soap. That way if you see colours beginning to run etc you can get her out asap.

I split my Raggedy Andy’s face by machine washing it I would wash on a gentle wash personally though she does look more robust than he.

My SIL has three of those exact dolls at my MIL's house! My DD's call them the "sister dolls". No comment on cleaning, just know they can still be loved a generation on!

I'd stick her in some thick tights and then wash on the delicate cycle

Ok. Thank you guys. I think I'll start off with a spot clean on the worst bits and if that's not good enough move on to a gentle hand wash.
Wrapping her up and machine washing as a last resort. Wish me luck 🤞

Emmapeeler I'm so sorry about your Raggedy Andy. What a shame

@70sWitch thanks, I was pretty gutted but I might try and mend him at some point. He won’t be quite the same but better than seeing the stuffing! Shame there are no longer doll’s hospitals

Ps Love your doll. I bought a Holly Hobby flask a while back just for nostalgia