I bought my daughter a doll made by Fisher Price a few days ago. She loves it to bits and plays with all the time. The problem is that Fisher Price infused it with that horrible fake baby powder scent. We didn't realize this until we got it home and she started playing with it. The longer it's here the more it's setting off my asthma. My chest is closing up and it's giving me a terrible headache. I don't want to take it away from her. It was the only doll for younger children that we liked. She's almost 16 months and it's for 18 months and up. Most of the other dolls are for 2 or 3 and up and the ones for younger children are the stuffed kind which she's got some of but she likes the more "realistic" vinyl head and limbs. It's got a soft stuffed body with the vinyl head and limbs, it has no hair or eyelashes.
What can I do to make the stench go away? I thought of washing it in a lingerie bag with some vinegar or something.
If the stench won't go away does anyone know of some nice dolls for younger children that won't break the bank? I'm not buying her a $50 or $100 doll at the age of 16 months.
Thanks!
Well, I've given up. I washed it twice with towels in hot water and white vinegar added. I ended up running it through the dryer after the second time. I had to rewash the entire load of towels as they all came out smelling like this doll. It isn't as overpowering as it was when we brought it home but it's still there. It's in the garage for the time being. We had to go to Target a couple days ago for some things and I picked her out a new doll which she is very happy with. No smell, no anoying sounds and movements. Just a plain old doll. Why are they so hard to find? It's even harder to find one without hair which she's not ready for right now. I may try again when I have more patience as she's still asking for the doll (she found the hat and blanket that came with it and is asking for the doll, her new one won't do so I know she knows the difference. I'm going to hide the items when I can.) Thanks everyone!
After reading comments I got the nerve to throw it in the laundry. Figured if the smell doesn't come out I'm getting rid of it anyway so who cares if it gets ruined. I sprayed the doll with white vingegar & really squished it into it & put it into a mesh wash bag. Put it in the load of towels with hot water, extra rinse & white vinegar in the fabric softener dispencer. It still smells some but not nearly as bad as it did before. I'm going to run it through a second time to see if the rest comes out. Doesn't look to have damaged the doll but I didn't take a really good look at it. I'm still debating on putting it in the dryer or just hanging it to dry. I'm going to complain to Fisher Price, I've been more and more disappointed with their toys, they used to be so amazing :(
Please post an answer if you find something that works. We put "stinky baby" in the back of the pickup for the ride home from grandmas.
We left it outside in the sun for three weeks. Still, she stinks. She is the one with clouds all over the box that was $ 9.99 at Tuesday Morning.
I hear ya' on the nasty scent. If the smell is in the vinyl, it may not wash out. And Kimberly's right that you shouldn't put baking soda and vinegar in the same cycle, but I would try them in separate cycles where they won't neutralize each other. But they are both good odor neutralizers.
I always encourage consumers to contact the manufacturers of products that have negative effects on consumers. You know that if you're getting asthma from this doll, other moms and children probably are, too. Fisher Price should hear your preferences. There may be a toll-free number to call, or websites always have a "contact us" option.
Unfortunately, the smell in incorporated into the plastic the doll is made out of and it could take YEARS for it to fade. I have scented baby dolls that are 7 years old and still slightly retain their scent. Your only real recourse, if it's truly something you can't live with, is to get her a different doll right away and donate that one, before she becomes too attached. Good luck!
I hand wash all my daughter's stuffed animals to get rid of the dust that they collect. I just use a lysol wipe to wipe them down. But if you are talking about the smell being IN the doll I would try to wash it in the washer. If it wrecks the doll you daughter is way too young to know that it is missing and if you just bought it there hasn't been enough time for her to grow attached to it. I know that Avon sells dolls that are equivalent to the American Girl dolls for like $25. Other than those I can't give you any advise about dolls...my daughter is a big tom boy and doesn't really play with them.
Put it in a pillow case and tie it shut or a laundry bag if the netting is tight before putting it in the washer. If you don't, the face will be beat against the side of the washer and scratched or damaged. Vinegar in the wash may help or Baking soda in the wash may help. I don't think they should be used together though. We have dolls that smell that way, but they have never bothered my asthma. I am so glad because they don't because I can't stand the feeling of struggling to breath. I completely understand your discomfort. I hope that you can get rid of the smell or at least most of it.
http://books.google.com/books?id=Q0ZVkNeA21MC&pg=PA20...
Toss it in the washer with your towels. Being Fisher Price, I would think the stitching would be good enough quality that it won't fall apart. Then put it in the dryer with the same load. We've had dolls that have gone through the wash by accident (hidden in a pile of clothes) and they've come out fine.
I would try putting it in a sealed container with baking soda to see if it would help absorb some of the odors...sunlight may help fade the scent, or tossing it in a gentle cycle wash with towels and then drying it might help too. I will say my daughter has a Madame Alexander doll baby doll from Walmart that was around $20 ish that has the soft body and plastic arms, legs, head, no hair. Also they are expensive but the Bitty Baby ( American girl dolls) that is adorable but runs about $45...most dolls do say for ages 3 and up...but as long as they do not have the button or glass eyes, I cannot imagine why it would be unsafe.
I would do as others have suggested and give the doll a bath. As for suggestions for other dolls, my 2 yr old has dolls from Target that are great for this age. They are soft body but vinyl head and arms/legs. The clothes come off but no eye lashes or actual hair. She loves to push them in a little stroller. She has had them since last Christmas and I can throw them in the washer on gentle cycle though I do put them in a pillow cash since I ahve a washer with the agitator and don't want to ruin them. I think they are less than $20.
I'd bring it back. There has to be some basic baby dolls at Target or Walmart that don't have that horrid smell. It's the worst.
