Dress dolls from the feet & layer down or in to save mussing fabrics & wigs. (ballgown first, then hoopskirt, panties & shoes last.)
Most doll wigs can be combed out no matter how matted, if you have hours or days. Mousse helps. Take a lock of hair, start combing at the bottom ends and work up toward the scalp, being very careful to keep a finger pressing the stitching at the hair roots tight against the scalp. Doll hair doesn't grow back.
Sunlight eventually fades all colors.
Soaking in effradent whitens without bleaching. Careful, some fabrics shrink.
A dry cleaner that does heirloom items might be able to clean doll clothes. Question first and be warry.
When sewing with a doll, carefully wrap face & wig in a hankerchief to prevent scratches to the face & tangles.
A doll is a tool for teaching children to care for their things and for developing their imagination (boys & girls), IF they can play with the doll - not just look at it on a shelf. My skill at sewing, concern for my things, appreciation of quality and beauty started from playing with the Madame Alexander dolls people are now collecting. So give a beautiful, valuable doll as a present, but include an everyday suit of clothes, then put the original outfit away in a box for special ocassions or a special reward. The doll re-presented in it's original, near mint outfit will bring back the thrill of getting it brand new. A doll in mint condition isn't that much more valuable than one carefully played with anyway.
The eyes are the soul of the doll. Buy for beauty & quality, (especially of the face). These will last; a name won't. Buy what is stunningly beautiful, forget the rest.
Wash hands with soap & water before touching anything you don't want to yellow with age. Hands have oil.
Ball point ink doesn't come out. Don't close old dolls up airtight. Mold will eat the eyelashes.
Little boys like dolls. They like dolls with finely finished facial features - if they do take them apart and inspect their construction or ride them around on their tricycles. . . .
