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


 

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

Black line

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

Black line

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

Step 4

Black line

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

Step 5

Black line

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

Doll skin care

Doll skin care

Illustrated image of hair brush

Step 1

Black line

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

Black line

Towel-dry the doll.

Step 1

Black line

Dampen a soft washcloth with lukewarm water.

Step 2

Black line

Make a paste of baking soda and lukewarm water.

Step 3

Black line

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

Step 4

Black line

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

Step 5

Black line

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.

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

Learn more
Learn more

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.

Learn more
Learn more

American Girl® doll hair care

Want to keep your girl’s forever friend looking flawless? Explore advice from the experts on how to care for your American Girl doll’s hair and skin. Provided by the professional stylists of our in-store salons, these step-by-step instructions detail how to untangle doll hair, how to wash doll hair, and the proper cleaning techniques to prepare your girl’s doll for storage. More than hair care tips for 18-inch dolls, check out the dos and don’ts of doll care—as well as browse an array of hair care accessories, including doll hair brushes, salon chair sets, and more. Looking to add more sparkle and shine? Visit us at the American Girl Salon for a new hairstyle, ear piercing, manicure & pedicure, and a full list spa services. For extra TLC and advanced repair, connect with the American Girl Care Center online or admission sites within our store locations in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Washington, D.C.

Want to keep your girl’s forever friend looking flawless? Explore advice from the experts on how to care for your American Girl doll’s hair and skin. Provided by the professional stylists of our in-store salons, these step-by-step instructions detail how to untangle doll hair, how to wash doll hair, and the proper cleaning techniques to prepare your girl’s doll for storage. More than hair care tips for 18-inch dolls, check out the dos and don’ts of doll care—as well as browse an array of hair care accessories, including doll hair brushes, salon chair sets, and more. Looking to add more sparkle and shine? Visit us at the American Girl Salon for a new hairstyle, ear piercing, manicure & pedicure, and a full list spa services. For extra TLC and advanced repair, connect with the American Girl Care Center online or admission sites within our store locations in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Washington, D.C.

Find your inner star