Restoring fuzzy flocking and hair smoothness?

[jillrose]

Hi everyone!

What is the best way to clean the fuzzy flocking?  I imagine there are techniques out there used for So-Soft ponies, etc I am actually hoping to restore my Li'L Litters Mommies.  They are not losing fuzz, just looking a little...loved from my childhood! A tad dull and dusty!  What's the best way to brighten them up again? 

Also, what methods work best for smoothing pony manes or the all-hair ears (like Dalmatian Dots)?  I have a couple baby ponies and Li'l Litters puppy moms who needs hair sprucing after being packed up for a big move a few months ago.  Any help is appereciated, as I'm a total novice when it comes to these techniques   So psyched to go for it though, now that my new displays are up!

[Karebearcntdwn]

I believe with the flocking people put the toy in a pillow case and run it through a washer machine with cool water. (You never want to put them in hot water because that will loosen the glue and result in flocking loss) What I did with my flocked mlp was sat them in an old oxy clean tub with lukewarm to cold water and some oxyclean mixed in. I let them sit there over night then in the morning take a soft bristle toothbrush and carefully brush them down. After that I rinse them in lukewarm water and condition the flocking with hair conditioner and rinse once again. Then let them dry and you should be golden.

 Note: watch out not to get water in the body, I'm not sure with the li'l litters but with ponies there is a washer that can rust.

I hope this helps at least a little, the above information is something I do for flocked ponies who have deep set in stains. As I don't have any Li'l litters toys perhaps someone else who does could tell you if this would work or not.

[ponyqueen]

I've never put my flocks in a washing machine...

I prefer gently brushing with a soft toothbrush, shampoo and cold water. If the flocking is otherwise clean, use tape (like those pet fur/lint rollers) to remove fuzz. This is how I touch-up my so soft ponies and Calico Critters.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes!

[dragonfly]

Toothbrush and clarifying shampoo works for me too. I am always worried that too hard of a wash will do more damage than help, this way I can just brush very gently.

[Leave a Whisper]

These are all good ideas.

[mothums]

I've washed all of my so-softs by hand with a little bit of shampoo and cold water. After I rinse the shampoo, I work a little bit of conditioner onto them as well and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing. And in my experience, it leaves the flocking super soft and smelling nice. Just my routine though (:

[ponyqueen]

Yep, I use conditioner too. I think it adds shine.

[Baby Sugarberry]

Depends what's causing the flocking to look loved.

If it's dirt/grease, then shampoo or soap plus some gentle lathering will usually do the trick, follow up with conditioner to make the fibres more silky.  If the matting is physical damage, there isn't usually as much that can be done to improve - brushing can help re-fluff the flocking though.  If it's debris/dirt stuck in the flocking, then brushing or (VERY time consuming) carefully picking out the foreign fibres with tweezers works.

As mentioned, you have to be gentle with flocked toys.  I wouldn't recommend washing machines, though Lil' Litters don't have washers to rust only rooted hair from what I recall. 

[hathorcat]

I agree with the more gentle method suggested here. I have seen plenty of people use washing machines and dish washers over the years for so soft ponies...some with great success, some with disaster. The problem is it comes down to how damaged the glue holding the flocking in place is; good and the pony could well survive a washing machine; poor and it could loose a lot. In either way I would think its possible you will loose flocking in the most easily damaged areas - i.e. the edges of the plastic.

I mix toothpaste and baking soda and rub it into the flocking with my fingers. Leave it to set and then rinse It works for me assuming we are just tying to clean up the flocking in general and freshen it up.

As for the hair - it depends how bad as to what kind of treatment. Most hair if its just been in storage will not need shampooed/conditioned or even washed. But perhaps a light spritz of water, comb through, set and allow to air dry may be enough. Do you have pictures or more description on the issues?

[Leave a Whisper]

I use oxyclean spray and gently rub and rinse. Though one time I accidentally put my daughter's Scrumptious in the washing machine. Her flocking came out a lot cleaner and softer but I wouldn't reccomend doing it on purpose.

For hair I just use shampoo/conditioner like I do with all my other ponies.

[jillrose]

Thanks everyone! I will give some of the gentler methods a try