Care and Cleaning Guide for Joyk Empathy Dolls and Doll Clothing
Joyk empathy dolls are used in family homes as well as in nurseries, therapeutic settings, hospitals, care facilities and services supporting people with disabilities, people requiring care and people living with dementia. As the dolls are often handled, carried and cuddled frequently, regular yet gentle cleaning is especially important.
The following guidance is based on the care information provided by the manufacturer, Dusyma, together with the instructions on the product labels. Different washing temperatures apply to the dolls and their clothing: Joyk empathy dolls may be washed at a maximum of 40 °C, while the doll clothing and separately available clothing sets may be washed at a maximum of 30 °C. A wool wash cycle should be used for both.
Machine washing a Joyk empathy doll
Joyk empathy dolls may be machine washed at a maximum of 40 °C using a wool wash cycle. The manufacturer recommends washing the doll separately from other textiles wherever possible. This helps reduce the risk of colour transfer and allows the doll to be cleaned particularly gently.
Use a mild detergent and place the doll inside a suitably sized laundry bag. The hair should also be covered with a thin stocking or a pair of fine tights. This provides additional protection during washing and helps prevent the hair from becoming tangled or matted.
Remove all clothing from the doll before washing. As different maximum temperatures apply, the doll and its clothing should be cleaned separately.
Hand washing the empathy doll
Alternatively, the Joyk empathy doll may be washed gently by hand at a low temperature. Use lukewarm water and a small amount of mild detergent.
Soiled areas may be cleaned carefully with a soft sponge or cloth. Rub only lightly to protect the fabric, filling and hair. Rinse the doll thoroughly afterwards so that no detergent residue remains in the material.
Hygiene where the doll is used intensively
Additional hygiene requirements may apply when the doll is used in communal, care or therapeutic settings. Dusyma states that, where required, a textile-safe antibacterial laundry additive may be used together with the mild detergent.
Always follow the dosage and usage instructions of the chosen product as well as the internal hygiene procedures of the relevant organisation. The maximum washing temperature of the Joyk empathy doll remains 40 °C.
Washing Joyk doll clothing and clothing sets
The clothing supplied with Joyk empathy dolls, as well as the separately available clothing sets, may be washed at a maximum of 30 °C using a wool wash cycle.
Use a mild detergent for the doll clothing. Coloured garments should preferably be washed separately to reduce the risk of colour transfer to other textiles or lighter garments.
As individual items may contain different fabrics, decorations or fastenings, always follow the care label attached to the particular garment as well.
Drying the doll correctly
After hand washing, roll the doll in an absorbent towel and press gently to remove some of the moisture. Do not wring or strongly twist the doll.
The doll may then be left to air dry lying flat on a clean, dry towel. According to the manufacturer's guidance, it may also be hung from a washing line by both feet.
Allow the doll to dry completely before dressing, using or storing it again.
Reshaping the body and hair
After washing and during drying, gently return the doll to its original shape. Lightly shaking the doll can help loosen the body and, in particular, restore the appearance of the hair.
Arrange the hair carefully with your fingers afterwards. Avoid pulling strongly or brushing vigorously.
Drying the doll clothing
The doll clothing and separately available clothing sets should also be allowed to air dry gently. Carefully reshape each item before drying and ensure that it is completely dry before putting it back on the doll.
Care instructions at a glance
- Wash Joyk empathy dolls at a maximum of 40 °C using a wool wash cycle.
- Wash doll clothing and clothing sets at a maximum of 30 °C using a wool wash cycle.
- Wash the doll and its clothing separately.
- Use a mild detergent for both the doll and the clothing.
- Wash the doll separately from other textiles wherever possible.
- Place the doll inside a laundry bag.
- Protect the hair with a thin stocking or fine tights.
- Gentle hand washing of the doll is also suitable.
- Wash coloured garments separately where possible.
- Allow the doll and clothing to air dry completely.
- Gently loosen and reshape the body and hair after washing.
- Always follow the care label attached to the individual product.
Note: These care recommendations are based on information provided by Dusyma and on the care labels attached to Joyk empathy dolls and their clothing. The instructions on the individual product label should always take priority.