The skin of American Girl dolls is made of vinyl with a soft, matte finish. It's been developed to look as authentic and lifelike as possible. Unlike hard plastic, this soft vinyl is a porous material that will absorb some strong dyes found in textiles, makeup, colored markers, pens, and ink. That's why American Girl creates doll clothing with colorfast dyes to prevent any staining of the doll's skin, particularly over a period of extended wear.
While cleaning your American Girl doll, always cover her eyes to avoid getting water in them, which can cause rust, and try to keep her soft-fabric body and her hair as dry as possible. And remember, never submerge your doll in water.
For ink stains or other blemishes that won't come out, ask an adult to read our Doll Care section for more information.
For general cleaning of your doll's skin, ask a parent or trusted adult for help. We recommend the following simple method using water and baking soda:
- Dampen a soft washcloth with
- Make a paste of baking soda and lukewarm water.
- Rub the vinyl gently in a circular motion with the paste.
- Wipe with a wet washcloth to remove residue, and rinse washcloth frequently with lukewarm water.
- Towel dry your doll.