quilter1

We are packing to move and I found my old black Barbie case filled with clothes from the 60s, who knows what happened to the doll. A couple of the lace dresses are falling apart, so they will go into the trash but others are in really good condition. There are several outfits that my Mom knitted or sewed for the doll, even an argyle knitted sweater and skirt set. She couldn't afford to buy them. I remember her up at night on the black Singer, sewing clothes for my doll. I miss you Mom- it's been 30 years.
I would like to pass them on to a little girl who collects Barbies, but they have that basement musty smell. I was thinking of hand washing them in cold water with some baking soda and putting them on a towel to dry. Any other suggestions?

dd

That sounds about right. I bought an antique white lace small purse a long time ago. That guy told me to use dish soap and only use the bubbles. Not to submerse it. Blot it with a towel and dry on another towel. Baking soda would definitely freshen the smell. I probably have that same black case on my attic!

QuiltE

I'd probably hand wash in warm water with a little dish soap. Swish them around a little by hand.
Then I would run a string thru the armholes and let the whole bunch drip dry!
That way you could finger press them a little while wet and as they dried.
I'm thinking on a towel, they might flatten out ... particularly if they were poofy dresses.

Phyllis nm

A doll collector told me to drop 2 tablets of denture tablets in to water and swish the dress around while it fusses. Then Towel dry.

Tartan

I would gently hand wash in cold water with the baking soda and block them on a towel to dry. When they were dry I would mount a cute little outfit in a shadow box for hanging on the wall ( maybe the little knit set) The rest of the outfits could be passed on to the child.

barny

I think denture tablets have some kind of whitener in them[ Maybe bleach?] ugh.

oksewglad

Borax works, too. I use Oxy-Clean too. It takes out many set in stains, gives a fresh smell. A tablespoon in a container of warm water (unless they are wool, then cold water). Let them soak overnight. Rinse in fresh water. I like QuiltE's drying suggestion!

QuiltE

For some reason, I can see you doing that, OKSGlad ... and stringing it from one coat hook to the other, like you hung those mini's for their Kodak Moment!!

oksewglad

OMG do you remember everything?

QuiltE

Definitely NOT! ... just somethings stick in my brain ... and that was ever so cute that I couldn't NOT remember it!