Barbie Basics – Tips for Playing and Caring for your Barbie Dolls

Articles on Dolls | Topic: dolls

by Olya Yang

Barbie Dolls never seem to go out of style. For the past 40 years, she and her friends has been a staple in nearly every little girl's toy box. With all the use Barbie receives, it is little wonder that she gets a bit worn now and again. Therefore, it is helpful to know a few tricks and secrets about how to properly play and care with Barbie to ensure she will stay around for many years of playtime.

Barbie's Hair

When it comes to the monetary value of a Barbie Doll in the eye of the collector, one of the most important features of Barbie is her hair. Barbie's hair has continually changed since her creation and, in fact, she has easily sported more dos than any single human or doll to ever exist. In addition, some of Barbie's hairstyles have not been able to last long after she has put in a little bit of playtime.

Of course, children are not concerned about the monetary value of their Barbie Dolls. They do, however, usually want to keep their Barbie looking good. Part of her allure to little girls is her sheer beauty. Therefore, while you may not be interested in keeping Barbie's hair in mint condition, you do want to keep it looking good. This can be a bit difficult at times, considering her hair is probably the part of the doll that is most prone to damage and discoloration.

To keep Barbie's hair clean, you can actually shampoo it. This process will likely be quite fun for your child, as she can play "Mommy" to her Barbie and splash around in the water at the same time. A gentle shampoo should be worked into Barbie's hair along with warm – never hot – water. After the hair is sudsy, rinse it out with clean water. Then, give Barbie a dab of conditioner and work it into her hair. You can then take a small comb or hair pick to comb any tangles she may have out of her hair. You might need to help you child with this part because pulling the tangles too hard can also pull the hair out. Afterward, rinse out the conditioner and dry her hair with a towel. Never use a blow dryer because the hot air can cause her to melt.

After cleaning Barbie's hair, you can even style it if you like. If she originally came with her hair in a ponytail, some of her hair might be longer than other portions. Be sure to gather the shorter hair beneath the longer hair. Then, wrap the longer hair around the rubber band you use to hold it in place. This will help to hide the rubber band and keep her hair looking good. You can even curl Barbie's hair with small rollers and a commercial curling solution if you like!

Quote of the Day

Because the priest must have like every dog his day
Or keep us all awake with baying at the moon,
We and our dolls being but the world were best away.

—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)

Barbie's Skin

Many little girls have a tendency to draw all over their Barbie's with marker and crayon. Of course, this doesn't help keep Barbie looking good! Luckily, most marks can be removed with soap and water. Just be sure to wash Barbie's skin with a clear soap and warm – never hot – water. Colored soaps should not be used because the color in the soap can actually seep into her skin and discolor it. Be sure to move Barbie's body parts around to get all of the dirt out of her crevices. A cotton ball filled with a non-scratch cleanser, such as Softscrub, can also be used to work grime and dirt out of Barbie's vinyl skin. You will, however, need to be careful around her face so you do not flake or scratch of her paint. Clearasil and Oxy-10 are also great for removing magic marker and ballpoint pen. To use these products, dab a little on the area and let it dry. Then, simply scrape it away with your fingernail.

Barbie's Clothes

For older Barbie Dolls, you need to be careful about washing the clothes. Many of these clothes can easily become damaged if washed or even if they come in contact with water. Luckily, the clothes that come with newer Barbie Dolls are more tolerant. The best way to wash Barbie's clothes is to soak them in cold water with Woolite. You should avoid scrubbing or rubbing the fabric. The clothes should then be laid out to dry or hung to dry on a line.

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Please note: All personal opinions expressed in the "Barbie Basics – Tips for Playing and Caring for your Barbie Dolls" article belong to the contributing author and are not necessarily shared by ToysGiftsPresents.com.

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