Storage

Doll collecting is a very personal and often times expensive hobby, and it’s important to adequately take care of your dolls and their accessories so that they may last for many years to come.

Personally I do not purchase any dolls without the accompanying box, or I look for a replacement. One reason is that there is a better chance that the doll has been stored properly by the previous owner. Another reason is that it is much easier to properly store your collection if they have their own box to lay in.

The most important thing you can do is purchase acid free, archival safe tissue paper from a craft store or places like Walmart, Amazon or eBay. I use size 20 x 30 for doll boxes and larger accessories and 15 x 20 for smaller boxes and most accessories.

Step 1: If you have any documents or pamphlets that go with the doll (I would always recommend keeping any supporting receipts, papers, COAs, etc with the doll itself), place them into the box, toward the bottom of the box bottom. Then lay a larger 20 x 30 piece of tissue paper at the center of the bottom of the doll box so that an equal portion lays on each side. Crinkle up 3 or 4 smaller 15 x 20 pieces of tissue paper and pad the bottom of the box.

For storing dolls, it is important that no matter if you store the doll in a plastic bin or cardboard box, to buffer the doll with tissue paper to protect from contact between the doll and container.

Step 2: Next, lay the doll face up into the box and rotate the head to the side. This will help prevent damage to the lashes or sleep mechanism of the eyes. After that, I fold a smaller 15 x 20 piece of tissue paper in half and lay that over the front of the doll. If there is original tissue paper in the box, I like to fold it up to the size of the width of the box and  lay that gently on the top of the doll.

Step 3: Long term storage is especially important. Always store your doll in a moderately temperate location. Never store the doll in an excessively humid or hot area, such as an attic, basement, un-air conditioned storage unit, or garage. Make sure the temperature and humidity level is as comfortable as it should be for you. Also, they should be stored upright or on the doll’s back. An upper shelf in a bedroom closet works well. You can store them like shown or you can lay the boxes flat, upright is always preferable.

For accessory pieces:

For my accessory pieces, I store them wrapped individually in the smaller 15 x 20 sheets of tissue paper, then placed inside their original boxes. If I don’t have the original box, I like to use shoebox sized rubber or plastic containers, found in craft stores or big box stores and cluster them by collection.

Care

Now that your dolls have been properly stored, it’s important to maintain your dolls too. At least once a year you should check on your doll to make sure there are no new funny smells, spots, or dust on the dolls. Dust is a very important thing to avoid, and is especially prevalent in arid western states. For dolls that are displayed, be sure to dust them frequently or better yet, display in an enclosed glass case or curio. For dolls that have been stored, I just suggest to check in on them once in a while and air them out if needed.

For dolls with dirty vinyl, I like to clean it with a soft cloth, warm water, and baking soda. If possible, I always like to use items I might otherwise have on hand in my home. It makes jobs a lot easier to handle when I have the right equipment anytime. After cleaning, wipe off the baking soda with another damp washcloth and wipe dry. Sometimes they start to get an “old doll smell” and airing it out, even just for a day, will help.

Dusting is a simple job that will prolong the life of your doll. I suggest using a duster made without chemicals, such as an old fashioned feather duster. Products like Swiffer have chemicals in them that make them “grab” dust, but may not necessarily be the best thing for your doll.

Sometimes dolls develop spots on the vinyl. There are 3 main types and it’s important to distinguish the differences.

1. If properly stored this is less likely, but surface spots in colonies (not just a single spot), is more than likely mold. You will need to clean that with hot water and bleach in the affected area. I suggest never placing the whole doll in the washing machine, as water can get trapped in the limbs and eyes and develop even more mold. If you do get mold, it means either something in the vicinity is or was wet, or the humidity level of the storage area was too high.
2. I have seen deterioration spots that look sort of like beauty marks, but they develop from the inside out. So at first it may look faint and as it comes to the surface, it becomes darker. Generally these spots are brown and are virtually impossible to remove. This is due to the separation of color from the vinyl and is a natural occurrence. Remember, mold grows in colonies and starts on the surface. Don’t be so scared of a little deterioration spot, but please make sure that it isn’t mold by doing a baking soda clean up. Mold spots may fade after the cleanup, but deterioration spots won’t. Generally these deterioration spots occur when in direct sunlight or heat.
3. Spider and other insect droppings cause these spots too. Doing a normal baking soda clean up they should come right off. Again, if you are properly storing your dolls in an interior closet or room, this will be less likely an issue. This most often occurs when in a storage unit, garage, basement, or attic.

 

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