How to Clean Your Elf on a Shelf Doll

At the end of the season, this is a great time to Clean your Elf on the Shelf before packing him away! I’m sharing tips on how to clean your Elf on a Shelf Doll. 

How to Clean Your Elf on a Shelf Doll

If you have an Elf on the Shelf doll, you know how dirty he can get on his adventures. After all, he likes to play in sugar, flour, cereal, toiletries, and more. If your Elf on the Shelf is looking a little dirty, take him on his next adventure…the bath! Here are some helpful tips on how to clean your elf on a shelf doll so he can be sparkling and like new.

Step 1:
Loosen any dirt or debris that you can. Take a spoon and gently scrape away anything that will come off easily. A spoon is gentle and won’t snag the doll, so it is perfect for scraping away stuck on grime. This step should be used on the body only, not the face.

Step 2:
Spot treat. Place some gentle dish soap such as Dawn on a soft cloth, dampen it, and spot treat any stains on the doll. Try to blot, don’t rub. Soak up any extra moisture with a dry and clean towel. This might tickle him!

Step 3:
Focus on the face now to remove any markings or stains. Use a soft sponge or a piece of Magic Eraser to gently buff away stains on the face. Avoid the eye area as there is a great deal of paint there that you don’t want to buff off. Expect him to giggle as you do this.

Step 4:
Take him for a dip. Place him in a lingerie bag and wash him on the gentle cycle in your washing machine. If you are not comfortable with this step, you can always opt for steps 1-3 and then finish off with a hand wash using Woolite or some other gentle detergent. Don’t forget to tell him to plug his nose before tossing him in.  *Be sure to let him air-dry. If necessary putting him in the dryer for about 5-10 minutes on cool to help speed the drying process up!

Step 5:
Now you just need to make him smell good. Febreeze is perfect for removing odors and making him smell fresh. Don’t forget to spray a little under the arms!

Your Elf on the Shelf doll is now ready to play! When he is clean and sparkling, there is no telling what adventures he may get into. By taking good care of your Elf on a Shelf doll, you can be sure he lasts for many holidays to come.

Give these tips a try and never find yourself with a filthy Elf on the Shelf again. If he could thank you, I am sure he would.

If you’re new to the whole Elf on the Shelf idea, then you can read about what this whole crazy phenomenon is all about HERE and the introduction of our Elf- Elfie!

You can get your own Elf on the Shelf from Amazon.

Welcome your elf with this awesome Elf on the shelf Welcome Breakfast idea:

Be sure to check out these:

Elf on the Shelf Chocolate Nutella Cupcakes

Join in on the Elf Fun with so many ideas posted below- Follow our Elfie on his journey and find other Elf on the Shelf ideas in our Elf on the Shelf section on my blog!

Find more great Elf on the Shelf ideas, including:

• 50 Easy Elf on the Shelf Ideas (For Busy Moms) & Printable
• Elf On The Shelf Ideas Boys Will LOVE {Ideas for Boys}
• Fun, Creative & Appropriate Elf On The Shelf Ideas
• 27 Creative & Best Elf On The Shelf Ideas **most popular one*
• Interesting & Slightly Inappropriate Elf On the Shelf Ideas

And if you’re looking for Adult Elf on the Shelf ideas, I have you covered as well:

• Top Naughty & Slightly Inappropriate Elf On The Shelf Ideas
• 20 Naughty Elf on the Shelf Ideas for Adults
• More Naughty & Slightly Inappropriate Elf On The Shelf Ideas

Do you know what to say to your kids when you forgot to move the Elf? I’ve got you covered with 15 clever things to say when you forgot to move the Elf!

Did you forget to move your Elf on the Shelf? Here’s 10 Quick Last Minute ideas to try!