How to Untangle and Soften Doll Hair

Doll hair can get dirty and tangled during play or storage. Fabric softener or baby shampoo are suitable for cleaning most dolls’ hair. These products soften the hair and detangle it. After untangling and softening the doll’s hair, try to brush it regularly to avoid the same situation. For most dolls, either plastic or fabric, these methods work very well. However, if there are instructions from the manufacturer, read carefully before washing the doll’s hair to see if you can wash and comb the doll’s hair yourself.

Table of Contents

Use fabric softener

Soak your hair in fabric softener. Choose fabric softener of a reputable brand for the best effect. Put some fabric softener in a bowl or cup. The amount depends on the amount of hair on the doll. You should get enough fabric softener to soak the entire doll’s hair. ^{[1] X Research Source}

To avoid wasting fabric softener, start with a small amount. Then, gradually add until enough to soak the doll’s hair.
Put the doll’s hair in the bowl. Use your fingers to dip your hair in fabric softener. Repeat until the hair is wet. ^{[2] X Research Source}
Set the doll aside. Keep the doll in a safe place, free from scratches. Soak your hair for at least 1 hour. If the doll’s hair is extremely stiff, you should soak it overnight. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

Comb your hair while there is still fabric softener on it. After soaking the doll’s hair for a certain amount of time, comb it while there is still fabric softener. Fabric softener, like conditioner, softens hair and helps tangles to be combed easily. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

You should use a wide tooth comb to brush the wig because this type of comb is the best to remove tangles. If you don’t have a wig comb, any wide tooth comb will work. Comb slowly so as not to break your hair. ^{[5] X Research Source} However, with small dolls like Barbie, a comb is also effective.
If you are dealing with dolls with very long hair, remove tangles and knots with your fingers before combing. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Use baby shampoo

Get a cup or bowl of cold water. You can use baby shampoo to soften the doll’s hair. Choose a cup or bowl big enough to put the entire doll’s hair in. The temperature of the water should be colder if the doll has curly hair. Because hot or warm water will make the hair stop frizz. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Stir ¼ teaspoon of infant shampoo into the water. Once the bowl or cup has been filled with water, stir in ¼ teaspoon of infant shampoo. Stir until the shampoo is completely dissolved in the water. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Don’t replace baby shampoo with regular shampoo. Since baby shampoo is usually gentle, it is safe to use on doll hair. If you don’t have this shampoo, you can buy it. Besides, you can also use a mild shampoo like those for sensitive skin or those for dyed hair.

Shampoo the doll’s hair. Once the water is ready, add the doll’s hair. Rotate the doll’s head in the water until all hair is wet. Then, use your hands to wash the doll’s hair. Massage your hair until you see small soap bubbles. ^{[12] X Research Source}

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Soak the doll’s hair in the bowl for about 10 minutes. When the doll’s hair is finished washing, leave the doll’s hair in the shampoo for about 10 minutes. This is the time for the shampoo to soften the hair. Hair will be free from tangles and become shiny. Place the doll in a safe place where it won’t be bumped. ^{[13] X Research Source}

Rinse hair 3 times. After 10 minutes, rinse the doll’s hair. Discard the shampoo water, rinse the bowl, then add clean water. Rinse the doll’s hair in the bowl until the water becomes soapy from the shampoo.. Continue washing the dishes and repeat the process 2 more times. ^{[14] X Research Source}

You just need to rinse off all the shampoo. If the water is still soapy on the third rinse, rinse your hair under the tap until the soap is clean. Because soap left on the hair for a long time will damage the hair.

Dry the hair. Once your hair has been rinsed, you need to let it dry slightly. Do not brush your hair while it is wet. You will brush while your hair is still slightly damp. To dry the hair, you can hang the doll upside down to dry it. You can also use a towel to blot the water out of your hair. ^{[15] X Research Source} Again, do not use a hair dryer as it will damage the doll’s hair.

Brush hair. When the hair is still damp, start the combing process. With small dolls, just use a regular comb. For large dolls, use a wide tooth comb to brush the wig or any wide tooth comb.

Comb very slowly to avoid breaking or damaging your hair. ^{[16] X Research Source}
For dolls with long hair, use your fingers to untangle the hair.

Avoid some trouble

Take out the hair accessories. Before washing the doll’s hair, be sure to remove the hair accessories. On the doll’s hair will have a bow, scarf, clip or other accessory attached to it.

If the doll is stored for a long time, some objects may get stuck in the hair. Take the time to double-check before you wash your hair to see if there are any accessories left in your hair.

Brush the doll’s hair regularly. If you don’t want your hair to get tangled or damaged, you should brush your doll’s hair regularly. After you or your child has finished playing with the doll, comb the hair before returning the doll to its original position.

Brush the doll’s hair yourself. Start at the ends of your hair and work your way up to remove tangles. ^{[17] X Research Source}

Avoid over-styling the doll’s hair. Styling doll hair is often a lot of fun. However, doing a lot of complicated hairstyles will make the hair tangled and damaged. Go for something simple like braids and ponytails, instead of trying to follow some trendy hairstyle you see on TV or in the movies. This will keep the doll’s hair shiny. ^{[18] X Research Sources}

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Read the manufacturer’s instructions first, if possible. Before washing your doll’s hair, read the manufacturer’s instructions if you still have it. Some dolls have special instructions for washing and caring for their hair. The American Girl brand, for example, has hair that you shouldn’t wash yourself at home. The manufacturer will provide a phone number so you can ask them for more advice when the doll’s hair is damaged. ^{[19] X Research Source}

Be careful when washing motor dolls’ hair. If the doll has a motor, you should be careful before washing it. Water can damage this doll. You can try removing the doll’s hair or head before washing it, if possible. Or you can wrap the doll in plastic wrap so that the doll won’t get damaged by water during washing.

Advice

For young children, adults in the family should provide additional support when performing.
If you want to treat the American Girl doll’s hair, don’t let water get in the doll’s eyes or it will rust.

Steps

Use fabric softener

Use baby shampoo

Avoid some trouble

Advice

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