How to Clean a Mannequin

No matter how hard you try to prevent it, your mannequins will inevitably become dirty. Sitting in a store window for days or weeks on end attracts dirt, dust and debris. Your once pristine mannequin may know have a dingy appearance. While most mannequins are constructed with heavy-duty materials that protects them from damage, allowing them to gather dirt will negatively impact their look and overall effectiveness. The good news, however, is that you can clean them by following some simple steps.

Handle With Care

Before we reveal the steps to cleaning a mannequin, it's important to note that mannequins should be handled with care. Whether you're setting up a new window display, showcasing new products, or just moving your mannequins around the store, use caution when touching the fingers, hands and feet, as these parts are must vulnerable to damage. Granted, you can often replace broken parts of a mannequin, but it's best to avoid breaking them in the first place.

Cleaning a Mannequin

The first step in cleaning a mannequin is strip it down to its birthday suit, removing any and all clothes and accessories. Next, pour a small amount of distilled water on a washcloth and wipe down the surface of the mannequin. It's recommended that you use distilled water, as tap water and even some purified water may contain chemicals and other impurities that can damage a mannequin.

Of course, water alone isn't always enough to clean a dirty mannequin. If your mannequin has sports of grime that won't seem to come off, try scrubbing it with baking soda and a toothbrush. Create a paste-like substance by mixing some standard baking soda with distilled water. Now take a small amount of this paste, place it on the end of a toothbrush, and scrub the affected areas of your mannequin. This should make easy work of even the toughest stains without damaging your mannequin. When you are finished, wipe off any excess paste and wait for it to dry.

What About Vinegar?

Some people prefer to clean their mannequins with vinegar, which is perfectly fine if you use filtered, apple cider vinegar (not the organic or unfiltered variety). Vinegar is highly acidic, however, so you'll need to wipe your mannequin down with a damp washcloth afterwards to prevent any damage from occurring.