Are you attempting to remove a permanent marker on your doll’s face, but none seems to be working? Sure, that’s one tough job, especially when the stains are on the doll’s face.
Marker accidents on dolls could be from kids trying to be artistic or preexisting if you got your doll from a thrift store or it is a hand-me-down.
But thankfully, such hard stains do not have to be permanent. In this article, we will give you the ultimate solution to your dilemma on how to remove permanent marker from doll face.
Table of Contents
Ways to Remove Permanent Marker From Doll Face
Method 1: Anti-Acne Gel With 10% Benzoyl Peroxide/ Benzoylperoxidum
This method can be used to get permanent marker off Barbie face and arms or, more specifically, marker stains from vinyl doll.
It is also proven effective in getting marker stains off silicone dolls like acid patch dolls or a reborn doll. If you do not have all the tools for heating, then you can simply put it under the sun for days before washing it off.
What to prepare:
- Anti-acne cream with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide/Benzoylperoxidum
- Cotton buds
- Cotton pads
- Plastic wrap
- Lampshade or blower
- Prepare your doll, and remove the clothes and accessories.
- Squeeze a small amount of anti-acne cream, use cotton buds to pick some, and apply it on the marker stains avoiding the eyes, mouth, and other details.
- Cover it with plastic wrap.
- Appy heat, put it under a lampshade, or use a blower.
- Remove the wrap, and clean Barbie dolls face.
- Reapply, wrap, heat, and clean until all permanent marker stains are gone.
Note that it is totally normal that you won’t get marker off Barbie face right away on the first application. Mostly, you will see significant results after the 2nd or 3rd application. Just be patient.
If you are using the sunlight to heat a reborn doll, you will not need to wrap it up. Still, it will take several applications before you can get rid of the permanent marker stains.
Method 2: Deodorant
Typically the face and body of the doll are made with different materials. You can use this method to remove stains on dolls body. This method can also work on removing old marker stains.
If the doll’s face has ink stains too then, you can use any acne cream or gel with 10% Benzoyl Peroxide to remove ink from doll face.
What to prepare:
- Deodorant (aerosol type)
- Clean towel or rag
- Remove the doll’s clothes and accessories.
- Place the doll over a big clean rag or a towel
- Apply deodorant spray on the doll’s body with a permanent marker stain.
- Once the ink starts to dissolve, wipe it with the rag.
- Spray again and wipe clean.
- Repeat the process until you have your doll’s body nice and clean.
Method 3: Remove-Zit Stain Remover
This is another method that is very effective in removing ink stains and get Sharpie off a doll, especially for cleaning American girl doll skin.
You can also safely use it on Barbie dolls, soft vinyl dolls like Baby Annabell, plastic dolls, and other plastic toys.
What to prepare
- Remove-zit stain remover
- Toothpick
- Paper towel
- Using a toothpick, get a small amount of Remove-Zit remover and apply it to the ink stains.
- Leave it for 24 hours.
- Lift the spent cream using a toothpick.
- Wipe excess with a paper towel carefully. Do not let the excess touch the eyes and mouth of the doll or other areas with painted details.
Method 4: Grandma’s Secret Spot Remover and Soft Scrub
These two are household names for cleaning that can also be a great combination to clean and remove marker stains from your cabbage patch doll.
What to prepare
- Marker stained cabbage patch doll
- Grandma’s secret spot remover
- Soft scrub
- Sponge
- Brush
- Tub
- Dish soap
- Water
- Take off the clothes and accessories of your cabbage patch doll
- Fill the tub with water. Then, add a little dish soap to make soapy water.
- To get marker off dolls body, spray the spot remover concentrating on the areas with dirt and marker stains.
- Let the spot remover soak on the doll for a while.
- Scrub the areas with stains using a sponge.
- Use the brush to remove the tougher stains left after using the sponge.
- To clean the face, use Soft scrub and a sponge.
- Soak it in the soap water for another few minutes.
- Scrub the remaining stains.
- Rinse, wring, and dry.
Other Tips and Advice
- Either try to remove doll face paint without acetone or use other methods, be careful not to overdo the scrubbing. Spot cleaning is a perfect way to start.
- When applying ink-removing solutions, do not apply near the eyes, lips, and other areas with painted details, as it will potentially remove the details along with the ink marks.
- After cleaning, make sure to drain the water and dry your dolls totally to avoid mold formation.
- Do not store dolls in plastic bags, as this will also cause moisture that could lead to mold formation. Use acid-free tissue paper to wrap your dolls and store them in a box.
- Always remove doll accessories, clothing, and jewelry before storing them to prevent the garment’s color from transferring to your doll. Keep them in appropriate bags with the doll’s identification so you would easily recognize each set.
- If you have dolls with realistic eyes that open and close, do not store them lying down on its back. Store them in a vertical position or horizontally while resting on their face. This will help your eyes function even after long storage.
Conclusion
There are plenty of ways how to remove permanent marker from doll face but acne cream with at least 10% Benzoyl Peroxide is by far the ultimate solution you can get.
Another professional way to do it is to use Remove-Zit stain remover, specifically designed to do the job.
However, if you do not have these items or cannot find one, the deodorant method, Grandma’s Secret and Soft Scrub tandem is the next thing you can try.
Keep in mind that solutions depend on the type of doll. Read each method carefully to find one that perfectly suits your doll.
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