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How to keep TPE dolls longer life?

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Bruce Chan
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How to keep TPE dolls longer life?

Post by Bruce Chan »

Careful maintenance of physical dolls is very important, because a well-cared doll can be kept for many years.

Clothes:
The brand new clothes you buy must be washed! No matter how good the clothes are, there will be traces of dyes, which can be washed to remove residues on the fabrics. It should be noted that some clothes may also be stained after washing, so it is best to test on TPE samples.

Dark clothing is a no-no for dolls, and there may be a risk of staining even after washing. It is best to avoid wearing dark colors, but if necessary, try to shorten the time of wearing dark clothes. In addition, tight clothing is not recommended because it will cause dents and marks on the doll.
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Moisturizing:
Water-based lubricant is the safest moisturizing lubricant recommended by any doll. Oil-based lubricants can cause minor damage to the material and are not easy to clean, and are not recommended; silicone-based lubricants must not be used.

Of course, many manufacturers also recommend petrolatum and mineral oil as moisturizing and lubricating solvents. Vaseline is a very good lubricant, because molds and bacteria cannot grow in pure Vaseline, but because there are too few re-searchable conditions and the product is difficult to distinguish between true and false, it is recommended to use water-based lubricants as the mainstay.
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Cleaning:
TPE dolls are fairly easy to clean, because TPE is a porous material, so it cannot be sterilized. It can be cleaned with diluted antibacterial/mild soap or a special toy cleaner. Do not use cleaning agents such as bleach, alcohol, boiling water and detergent, and high-power cleaning tools, which will damage the material of the doll.

Slight stains can be wiped with a wet microfiber cloth. If there are detachable parts, they need to be taken out and rinsed with spray needles, showers, etc. during cleaning. They must be thoroughly rinsed and completely drained before they can be installed.
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Decontamination:
Due to the porosity of the TPE material, it is easy to dye. Most stains will eventually disappear on their own, but it is recommended to remove them as soon as they appear. Most doll manufacturers will provide stain remover for free. In addition, there are some homemade methods to remove stains:

1. Mineral oil wiping is effective for light stains, while petrolatum can help remove deeper stains.

2. Many people successfully use benzoyl peroxide cream (acne cream) to remove stains, let it sit for several hours after applying it, and then wash it off. It has also been heard that some people use whitening toothpaste (containing hydrogen peroxide) as a substitute.

As a last resort not recommended, some baby friends use odorless mineral oil to remove the most stubborn stains. This method is not recommended, unless as a last resort, because it may damage the doll.
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Dry:
After cleaning, you must ensure that it is completely dry to prevent mold formation.

Use a soft cloth or soft towel to absorb residual moisture, and dry it naturally or with a fan. Do not use a hair dryer. Because it is made of TPE, it takes more time and effort to dry completely, and it may take several hours. Many people use air pumps or electric air pumps, which is a good idea. In addition, some gaps can be wiped dry with tampons or rolled paper towels.
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Storage:
A cool, dry and dark place is preferred. Try to avoid hard places as it will flatten the doll and avoid any storage tools that may fade. It is best to have a flat, wide environment that is neither soft nor hard, and ensure that no joint is bent.
For short-term storage, it is recommended to place the doll on top of the foam. It is best not to keep the doll in one position for too long, as changing the position or moving frequently will prevent flattening.

For long-term storage, the head of the doll needs to be taken off and packed in boxes. If the doll can stand, it can be leaned against a padded wall, but it is not particularly recommended because it may cause wear on the doll’s knee joints.
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Maintenance:
Grease and dust the dolls regularly to extend the shelf life of the dolls. Need to pay attention to the amount of each time, do not over-apply.

The general treatment method is to clean and dry first, then apply the oil evenly to the whole body, and massage lightly. After the oil is fully absorbed, use a talcum powder puff. The suggestion is to apply powder once a month, apply oil once every three months, and carry out a major maintenance every six months.

Why should you grease and powder your doll? TPE material will naturally oil out over time, and oiling the doll will help replenish this oil. TPE material will also become sticky over time, especially after cleaning, so dusting powder helps smooth the skin and prevent the doll from sticking to dust.

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