How to Detangle Doll Hair | Easy Barbie Makeover!

Learn how to rescue a well-loved doll and give her matted hair a makeover! Over the years, our girls have collected quite a few dolls. We have Barbies, American Girl dolls, Rainbow High dolls, and classic baby dolls. If your kids love dolls too, you know the problem: that pretty synthetic hair gets tangled and matted surprisingly fast. Fortunately, you can detangle and fix doll hair with a few supplies you likely have at home.

This simple method for detangling doll hair is a fun project to do with kids! Here is exactly how we give an old toy a makeover.

Our Rapunzel Barbie Rescue

The doll that inspired this post was a Rapunzel Barbie my daughter found at a garage sale. She had a beautiful dress, but her long hair was badly matted. Instead of giving up on her, we gave her a hair makeover. A little conditioner and patience turned that tangled mess into smooth, brushable hair again. My daughter was thrilled!

What You Need to Detangle Doll Hair

• hair conditioner (we like TRESemmé)
• spray hair detangler (a kids’ formula works great)
• a wet brush or wide-tooth comb
• white vinegar

How to Detangle Doll Hair

Finger-detangle first – Gently pull the strands apart with your fingers, loosening the worst of the tangles as best you can. This protects the hair before you start brushing.

Rinse with warm water – Wet the hair thoroughly with warm water to soften it.

Add conditioner – Massage a small amount of hair conditioner through the strands. This is what makes the tangles slip apart.

Comb in small sections – Work through the hair a little at a time with a wet brush or wide-tooth comb, starting at the ends and moving up. Going slow keeps the hair from pulling out.

Spray in detangler – A few spritzes of detangler help the comb glide through any stubborn spots.

Rinse with a vinegar solution – Rinse the hair with a mix of equal parts white vinegar and water. This cuts the leftover residue and adds shine.

Final rinse – Rinse once more with clean warm water to wash out the vinegar.

Style and let dry – Comb the hair smooth and style it however your child likes.

A Quick Caution About Heat

Doll hair is synthetic, so it can melt or burn. If you want to curl or straighten it, be very careful with the temperature and keep any hot tools on the lowest setting. When in doubt, skip the heat and let the hair air dry after styling.

Give an Old Doll New Life

With a little conditioner and a gentle touch, you can rescue almost any tangled doll. It is an easy, satisfying project, and a great way to show kids that a well-loved toy does not have to be tossed out. Which doll in your house needs a hair makeover first?