Girl and Woman styling an American Girl dolls' hair
Girl and Woman styling an American Girl dolls' hair

Doll care & keeping

Everything to help her best friend look and feel her best

Doll care & keeping

Everything to help her best friend look and feel her best

Committed to quality and craft

The materials we put into our products must live up to—and stand up to—any world your girl imagines. Playtime with our dolls never needs to end, with hair that can be brushed every night and soft, huggable bodies. They're made to love for a lifetime and pass down to generations to come.

Committed to quality and craft

The materials we put into our products must live up to—and stand up to—any world your girl imagines. Playtime with our dolls never needs to end, with hair that can be brushed every night and soft, huggable bodies. They're made to love for a lifetime and pass down to generations to come.

 

Care items & sets

All the accessories and supplies for her doll to shine


Care items & sets

All the accessories and supplies for her doll to shine


 

Woman styling an American Girl dolls hair
Woman styling an American Girl dolls hair

Doll hair care

Doll hair care

Illustrated image of hair brush

Step 1

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For wavy or straight hair, use a wire wig brush. For curly textured hair, use a hair pick.

Illustrated image of water spraying from spray bottle

Step 2

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Firmly hold the doll by sitting her between your legs, then grasp the neck, but not so hard as to loosen the head.

Illustrated image of water spraying from spray bottle

Step 3

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Lightly mist the hair, using just enough water to make it easier to work with.

Illustrated hand brushing hair with downwards motion

Step 4

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Take hold of a small section of the hair near the ends, then gently brush or pick out the tangles.

Illustrated hand brushing hair with downwards motion

Step 5

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Keeping working with small sections, moving up toward the wig's base, but always brushing or picking down toward the ends.

Step 1

Black line

For wavy or straight hair, use a wire wig brush. For curly textured hair, use a hair pick.

Step 2

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Firmly hold the doll by sitting her between your legs, then grasp the neck, but not so hard as to loosen the head.

Step 3

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Lightly mist the hair, using just enough water to make it easier to work with.

Step 4

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Take hold of a small section of hair near the ends, then gently brush or pick out the tangles.

Step 5

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Keep working with small sections, moving up toward the wig's base, but always brushing or picking down toward the ends.

Helpful hair tips & tricks

Helpful hair tips & tricks

Expect a few hairs to come off the first time you brush or pick–that's normal.

Expect a few hairs to come off the first time you brush or pick–that's normal.

For wavy hair, be very gentle at the ends to preserve the curl.

For wavy hair, be very gentle at the ends to preserve the curl.

For tight curls, finger-style the hair by separating a small section and gently working your fingers through it, twirling as you go.

For tight curls, finger-style the hair by separating a small section and gently working your fingers through it, twirling as you go.

Braid hair while damp and let dry overnight. Careful, braids left in too long may result in a permanent wave.

Braid hair while damp and let dry overnight. Careful, braids left in too long may result in a permanent wave.

Do not use a comb or plastic-bristle brush, which can snag or frizz hair.

Do not use a comb or plastic-bristle brush, which can snag or frizz hair.

Do not get water in the doll's eyes–they may rust!

Do not get water in the doll's eyes–they may rust!

Do not use styling products such as gels, mousses, or sprays, as they can damage hair over time.

Do not use styling products such as gels, mousses, or sprays, as they can damage hair over time.

Do not use a blow dryer, curling iron, straightening iron, or hot rollers, all of which can dry, stiffen, or even melt hair.

Do not use a blow dryer, curling iron, straightening iron, or hot rollers, all of which can dry, stiffen, or even melt hair.

 

Doll skin care

Doll skin care

American Girl doll wearing a pink beret
American Girl doll wearing a pink beret
American Girl doll wearing a pink beret
American Girl doll wearing a pink beret

Doll skin care

Doll skin care

Illustrated image of hair brush

Step 1

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Dampen a soft washcloth with lukewarm water.

Illustrated image of water spraying from spray bottle

Step 2

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Make a paste of baking soda and lukewarm water.

Illustrated image of water spraying from spray bottle

Step 3

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Rub the vinyl gently in a circular motion with the paste.

Illustrated hand brushing hair with downwards motion

Step 4

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Wipe with a wet washcloth to remove residue, and rinse washcloth frequently with lukewarm water.

Illustrated hand brushing hair with downwards motion

Step 5

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Towel-dry the doll.

Step 1

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Dampen a soft washcloth with lukewarm water.

Step 2

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Make a paste of baking soda and lukewarm water.

Step 3

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Rub the vinyl gently in a circular motion with the paste.

Step 4

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Wipe a wet washcloth to remove residue, and rinse washcloth frequently with lukewarm water.

Step 5

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Towel-dry the doll.

Helpful skin tips & tricks

Helpful skin tips & tricks

Always cover the dolls eyes to avoid getting water on them, which can lead to rust.

Always cover the dolls eyes to avoid getting water on them, which can lead to rust.

Keep the fabric body and hair as dry as possible.

Keep the fabric body and hair as dry as possible.

Never submerge the doll in water.

Never submerge the doll in water.

Girl holding an American Girl doll that's wearing a Doll Care Center hospital gown
Girl holding an American Girl doll that's wearing a Doll Care Center hospital gown

American Girl® Care Center

Visit the American Girl Care Center, where wellness begins so friendships never end

American Girl® Care Center

Visit the American Girl Care Center, where wellness begins so friendships never end

Woman, girl, and an American Girl doll at the American Girl store salon
Woman, girl, and an American Girl doll at the American Girl store salon

In-store salon

Looking for a new style or to add some sparkle? The salon can make it happen. Plus, in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas, girls can get pampered too.

In-store salon

Looking for a new style or to add some sparkle? The salon can make it happen. Plus, in Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, and Dallas, girls can get pampered too.


About American Girl® doll hair care


About American Girl® doll hair care



Keep your American Girl® doll looking her best with proper doll hair care and styling techniques. Whether your doll has straight, wavy, or curly hair, using the right tools and gentle detangling methods can help maintain her hairstyle and keep her hair looking smooth, shiny, and play-ready for years to come.



Keep your American Girl® doll looking her best with proper doll hair care and styling techniques. Whether your doll has straight, wavy, or curly hair, using the right tools and gentle detangling methods can help maintain her hairstyle and keep her hair looking smooth, shiny, and play-ready for years to come.


Frequently Asked Questions


How do I care for American Girl doll hair?

Caring for your American Girl doll’s hair can help keep her looking tidy for years to come. We recommend gentle styling with tools designed for the doll’s specific hair type—straight, wavy, or curly.


What brush should I use on American Girl doll hair?

For straight or slightly wavy doll hair, we recommend using a wire wig doll brush, because plastic or fiber brushes designed for human hair can cause extra frizzing or breakage of the synthetic hair fibers. For curly doll hair, we recommend gentle use of the American Girl wire hair pick, plus finger-styling to restore shape to the curls.


How do I detangle American Girl doll hair?

To detangle American Girl doll hair, start by lightly misting the hair with water, being careful to avoid the eyes. Divide the hair into small sections and gently brush each section beginning at the ends and gradually working upward toward the scalp. This helps remove knots while minimizing pulling and breakage.


Can I wash or style American Girl doll hair?

You can gently style American Girl doll hair, and lightly misting the hair with water can help with brushing and styling. Many hairstyles can be created using doll hair accessories and gentle techniques. We recommend you avoid heated styling tools such as curling irons, straighteners, or blow dryers, as heat can damage synthetic doll hair.