TexasAntiqueMall.com Cleaning Plastic Toys** While most toys can be kept looking good by simply dusting them, there are times when you will want to clean the toy. The simpliest and best way to clean plastic toys is with soap and water. The water should be room temperature and the soap used should be a gentle, non-abrasive one. A good dish liquid usually works well for this. There are a few things to remember before beginning the cleaning process, particularly when the toys to be cleaned are older ones. Handle all toys with care. Older toys may have become brittle or have hairline cracks. Work over a padded area. An old towel folded over works well. Have everything ready before you begin. Dust the toys thoroughly before cleaning to remove any surface dirt or dust. Make sure there are no parts that the cleaning process could damage, i.e., decals, cloth, metal pieces, etc. Never apply excessive pressure, attempt to scratch the dirt off or rub so hard as to cause any damage to the surface. Once you're ready to start, the following steps will help guide you through the process of cleaning your plastic toy with soap and water. Have two containers ready before you start. One with the soap and water mixture, the other with clean water for rinsing. Use a soft piece of material or a cotton-tipped swab dipped into the soapy water to gently wipe the surface - wiping in one direction to remove the grime. Do not scrub the surface or wipe in circles as this may cause scratches. And, never completely submerged the toy in the water - soapy or clean. Wipe the washed surface in the same manner with a clean piece of cloth dipped in non-soapy water. This will remove any soapy residue. Dry the toy by gently patting the surface and then leave it sitting out to finish air drying. Do not use a hair dryer to expedite the drying process as this may cause damage. Your toy is now ready to display. When displaying toys consider the position and location. Always be careful that the toy should 'rest' in a position so as to not put pressure on any part thus causing weight damage, i.e., old rubber tires can go flat over time. Also, displaying toys in direct sunlight may cause damage if the toy is exposed to the sun's rays for too long a period. Therefore, it is best not to keep anything on a shelf too near a window. The best way to keep your collector toys looking their best is to have a closed display cabinet for them. Again, follow the rules for positioning the toy and the location of the cabinet with regards to exposure to the sun. ** User understands and accepts all policies associated with use of this procedure. View policies.

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