Cleaning a Doll?

Throw it in the washer on delicate or perm press. I just did this for the first time with my daughter's favorite doll -- she had been put in the litterbox. The washer did a wonderful job of cleaning her all up. Then let the doll airdry in the sun.

For the marker spots on the face, you can try dabbing a bit of rubbing alcohol onto a q-tip, and trying a spot-wash that way. If the face isn't painted, you can try a little bit of nail polish remover - again, scrubbing with a q-tip, it doesn't take much. (But the nail polish remover will take off the paint on the lips, eyes, or cheeks, so be careful around those areas.) I had some luck cleaning up my old My Little Pony and Barbie doll toys that way when my mom found them in the garage, and my daughter inherited them.

Washing machine on a gentle cycle in a lingerie bag- no dryer though! Let it air dry in the sun.

There is a doll hospital in Berkley, not sure where you live. I haven't been there but they have a website and I've had recommendations for it.

What have you got to lose by attempting to really clean it? It was free, right?

I would take a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to the marker and any other such spots on the "skin" of the doll, then maybe some Clorox wipes to be sure. (I am a home daycare provider and will buy gently used things from sales too..but will dolls I never get ones with hair as mine have to be washed on a regular basis). If the hair is out of control, put it into some ponytails (or braids if its super long?), then wash it like the others said, in the machine on delicate? And see what happens. Let it airdry, as the hair will be plastic material and will get funky and melty if you dryer it. But definatley restrain the hair first or it will be a crazy un-doable mess after for sure!

Good luck!

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers! I cleaned my mom's old beat up Poor Pitiful Pearl doll (from the 50's) w/ one and she looks a million times better!

i'd give it a bath with a clorox wipe and be done with it...

No worries!! I have washed MANY dolls, leather tennis shoes, sandals of all kinds, even toiletry bags, for your luggage....So far, so good.
Garage sales ARE THE BEST for all things for kids. Some dont like the thought of others peoples things, but I tell myself, I can wash it, descank it, and if it doesn't work, i am only out a small amount of money. If it works, wow did I get a deal!! Ok enough with my pushing shopping resale! I just love shocking people when i tell them what I paid for this amazing, looks brand new item!!!
DOLLS- I take laundry stain remover (BEST PRODUCT FOR LAUNDRY STAINS is, WHINK in the brand, WASH AWAY is name of product- Meijers carries in kitchen/laundry room accessory aisle) and touch up any spots on fabric, use softscrub or liquid cleanser on ink marks etc on skin (those may not come out at all). I put the doll with a small load of towels, so it can really move around in there. You can add bleach to the load too if you like. Make sure to use a cooler water temp.. The hair can get frizzy it too much heat. I wouldn't put her in the dryer... just sit her outside to dry or wherever you want.
STUFFED ANIMALS -basically the same way. I have heard people put them in zipppered pillow covers before putting in machine. If it states on tag, not to machine wash...hmmmm... well I have done it, but if it means a lot to you, don't risk it. But, you can put in pillow case cover, with some baking soda and toss in VERY delicate cycle (no heat) in dryer. It will remove odors. Just to fluff up fur. I have done that and it does help.
SHOES- Tennis shoes, rubber shoes, leather sandals, leather shoes, any resale shoe! I use a soft brush, with a stain remover, I have soaked in oxy or bleach water overnight, if real bad. I put them in load of towels (take laces out and put in garment bag). You can even add bleach to the load. I don't like to put in dryer, but will on low heat for small amount of time to really beat out excess water. Then I place outside in sun to dry. You can stuff paper towel or washclothes inside reshape or even stretch a little but. I purchased cheap leather t-shoes for my daughter about 2 yrs ago and have washed them I bet at least 6 times (nasty when I bought them too!), and they look clean & bright! scuffs, well can't make them go away! I have done this my skecher sandals with rhinestones, came out awesome! Figured they couldn't look any worse than when I put them in. Ive done it with kids suede, leather, canvas, espadrille sandal (has the straw looking heels on them) all type of shoes, all winter boots, you name it I have probably washed it!!! LOL!
Lastly, people get kinda weird about pots and pans, well I got wolfgang puck stainless steel pans at a sale, nice heavy duty ones for $5 a pan!!! they looked terrible!! stains from burnt food, too hi of heat stains on underside... some people stomach would turn. BUT took the greatest product, called BAR KEEPERS FRIEND and sprinkled some on there, took a scotch bright pad, lightly scrubbed it (inside and out). Rinsed with hot water, rescrubbed if needed and then washed throughly with hot soapy water. LOOK BRAND NEW... NO JOKE! Bar keepers is at dollar stores, if you are interested. great for stainless steel, ceramic sinks, tennis shoes, hard anodized pans, really anything that you wanna scrub. Its like a comet/ajax cleanser. I use them all the time on all my pans, stainless steal gets those weird colors on the outside, when you have the heat too high, well it takes those out!! Just be careful to not scrub too hard with the scotchbrite pads. They have softer versions out now too.
Well I know you didn't ask for allll this, but it is so great to see someone old stuff become new again with some tlc and elbow grease. I just wish people would stop throwing their stuff out when they are done with them... people like me love NEW stuff!! LOL! good luck! ____@____.com is my email, if you want info. I can send you link to site for those products if you haven't heard of them. Even pics of how well stuff comes out.