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How Do I Clean Liddle Kiddles Dolls?

Liddle Kiddle dolls were favorite toys for little girls in the 1960s. Manufactured by Mattel from 1966 to 1970, these dolls ranged in size from 2 to 3 1/2 inches and were available in a variety of forms, from the original 24 characters (like Florence Niddle, a nurse, and Bunsen Burnie, a firefighter) to Storybook Kiddles (such as Cinderiddle) and Kiddle Kolognes and Locket Kiddles. The dolls have vinyl bodies and rooted hair. Cleaning these dolls may seem challenging because of their small size, but there is plenty you can do to restore them.

Hair
- Liddle Kiddle hair is made of synthetic material rooted into the head. If the hair has become dirty, you can easily washed it with water and a mild cleaner such as window cleaner or dish detergent. The hair should retain its original curl, but be sure to work gently to avoid pulling the hair out. Spray the hair with the cleaner and gently work the solution through the hair with your finger or with small items such as toothpicks, needles or even a doll brush. Rinse the hair thoroughly.
  
  If the hair is tangled, you can spray hair detangler, conditioner or liquid fabric softener on it and gently comb through each portion before rinsing it out.
  
  Styling the hair is easy: Simply wrap the curled portions around your finger and brush the hair into place. If your Liddle Kiddle has pin curls, wrap them around a needle or a thumb tack. Always work with the hair while it is damp.
  
  Some Liddle Kiddles dolls have ribbons, flowers, hats or other decorations in the hair that may or may not be removable. Work around them carefully.
Body
- Liddle Kiddle bodies are made of vinyl-covered wire, which allows them to be posed. Fortunately, vinyl can be easily cleaned by carefully applying window cleaner or dish soap. You may want to sit the doll in a "tub" (such as a margarine container) filled with dish soap for a half-hour or so. Ink stains may be removed by rubbing with a paper towel dampened with rubbing alcohol.
  
  Because Liddle Kiddles dolls are so small, you want to use a cotton swab to lightly clean the face and ears of your doll. Use a needle to gently pry out any dirt in the hands or feet where the wires may be protruding. Gently rub your doll dry with clean white towels. Allow the doll to dry in the sunlight if possible.
Clothing
- In general, Liddle Kiddle dolls larger than 2 inches have removable clothes and shoes, whereas the smaller models do not. If the clothing is removable, place it in a container containing a mixture of mild detergent and tepid water. Let the clothing soak for at least 30 minutes. Rinse and let it dry. Repeat as necessary until the dirt is removed. Repair any tears by sewing or gluing them.
  
  If the clothes are not removable, gently wipe any dirt or stains with a damp cloth. For persistent stains, consider using a clothing stain remover pen.
  
  Use a toothpick or needle to pick out any dirt from the crevices of shoes.

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