Baby doll hair, just like your toddler’s hair, needs to be cared for, or it will get tangled. Not all baby dolls have brushable hair, but LullaBaby’s Baby Dolls with Hair feature a variety of hair types and shades so toddlers can see themselves reflected in their favorite dolls. Maintaining baby doll hair is especially hard because your little one might not understand how to play gently. Toddler hair can get pretty tangled, so these Lullababy dolls with hair are great for teaching kids to appreciate and prioritize hair care (we’ve got a whole post about it).
If you have a well-loved baby doll that needs some hair care, here’s how to fix doll hair, including tips to detangle, wash, and maintain your baby doll’s hair.
How to fix doll hair: Detangle
Doll hair is synthetic. While it might look and feel similar to real hair, typically it’s nylon, and that means it tangles and needs to be treated differently from real hair.
Don’t use the same tools and products on a doll as you would a child. If baby doll shares a hair brush with your child or grandchild, it will get the tangles out, but it also means your child’s hair oil transfers to the doll. This isn’t ideal for the doll’s hair upkeep and shine long term. To keep your doll pretty for years to come, make sure you get a hair brush or comb specifically for them.
Similarly, sprays or creams you might use on your little one’s hair may work to detangle doll’s hair, but those products weren’t designed for synthetic hair and could be doing more harm than good in the long run. Not to mention, it’s an ineffective use of those products. Detangling sprays are great for toddlers because they make brushing faster and pain free. As precious as baby doll is, it can’t feel any pain, so save your sprays for the ones who need them. A small spray bottle with tap water will do the trick instead.
Here are 5 simple steps that show how to fix doll hair that’s tangled or matted:
- Take out any hair clips or ties and get your doll brush or comb ready.
- Lightly mist the doll’s tangled hair with water.
- Section out the hair to detangle bit by bit. You can use hair clips to separate the sections.
- Brush several inches of one section at a time, starting from the bottom, working your way up to the roots.
- When the hair is detangled, tie the doll’s hair in a braid or pony tail to keep it from tangling again too quickly.
How to fix doll hair: Wash
It may be tempting to wash baby doll’s hair with your child’s shampoo and conditioner, but it’s not the best choice for synthetic hair. A better alternative is fabric softener.
Once the doll’s hair is detangled, you may notice it looks a little different. A quick wash will restore its shine and texture.
Here’s how to fix doll hair that needs a clean:
- Fill a bowl with cold or room-temperature water. Do not use hot water on doll’s synthetic hair. Heat impacts doll hair’s texture and could relax your baby doll’s wavy or curls.
- Cover baby doll in a towel to keep her soft fabric body dry.
- Soak baby doll’s hair in the bowl of water.
- Massage in a small amount of fabric softener. Don’t twist or rub the hair because that will tangle it. Run your fingers through it.
- Rinse baby doll’s hair under the tap until all the soap is out. Use cool water.
- Squeeze out extra water then towel dry.
- When the hair is still damp, brush it, using steps 3-5 of the detangling guide above.
- Let it air dry. Do not use a hair dryer because it will melt the synthetic hair.
How to fix doll hair: Maintain
As your little one grows, you can involve them in these cleaning and maintenance rituals. Eager children might be a little too rough when it comes to brushing, washing or drying doll’s hair, but involving them in their doll’s hair care will help them become more responsible and hopefully cut down on tangles in the future.
When doll’s hair gets tangled or dirty in the near future, don’t worry. You can wash its hair again and again, following the steps above. Try to keep oils and creams away from doll’s hair because they’ll attract more dirt.
Lastly, but most importantly, baby doll’s easy-open seams love to eat doll hair. If your little one loves to change and dress their doll, the baby’s hair will likely get caught and tangled in the adjustable closure. Make sure baby doll’s hair is tied up or secure before they change their doll to prevent tangles.
If your child’s baby doll is really dirty, you might need to look at our blog about how to properly clean and care for your baby dolls. For more tips and play ideas, sign up to our newsletter and get monthly blog highlights straight to your inbox. Or, join LullaBaby on Instagram and see all our new releases and giveaways.