A Barbie doll's hair is usually smooth and silky when you buy it. But after playing with it for a few months, the hair starts to get tangled and messy.

  1. If the doll is really dirty soak it for approximately ten minutes. If it has just a little dirt, soaking it for just four minutes is enough. The main purpose of soaking its hair in water is to let the dirt wash off. [1]
  2. You can use the same shampoo which you use on your hair or buy a separate little packet for the doll.
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  3. With the shampoo still in the doll's hair, comb it from top to bottom, like how you would comb your hair. For this step, do not use your comb, or any comb which your family uses. Use a separate comb because the comb will get really messy. [2]
  4. Keep rubbing the head as if you're giving it a head massage.
  5. If you are leaving it free, using the conditioner like clay, mould the hair in a free-hair style. If you are putting it in a ponytail mould it in a ponytail hair style.
  6. Add some more shampoo and rinse it out again.
  7. Your doll is all clean!
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      Tips

      • If you're doll's body is dirty, put some baby soap all over the torso,hands, and legs and massage. Then, rinse it off.
      • A baking soda paste works wonders on the body or limbs to remove stains. Just put it on the stain and rub it in, let in sit for 30-60 seconds, rinse off, and repeat.
      • Vintage Barbie dolls are very different from new ones, mainly their hair texture and quality. You should treat the hair differently than you would a new Barbie Doll.

      Tips from our Readers

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      • If the hair has a greasy or sticky substance in it, use a small amount of dish washing soap to remove the grease. have bad and greasy hair on the doll, put some dish washing soap on it.
      • If your Barbie's hair is very tangled, add some baking soda and vinegar to warm (not hot) water, and apply it to her hair. This makes it easier to comb through.
      • If your doll's makeup is all scratched up, you can remove it with nail polish remover and repaint it. Try very thin-tipped paint markers to get fine lines.
      • Blow dry your Barbie's hair on the coldest setting. If there is too much heat, her hair could melt.
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      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about caring for doll hair, check out our in-depth interview with Raymond Chiu .

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