Effective Methods to Prevent Color Transfer on TPE and Silicone Dolls

Dec 9
2 min read

1. Why TPE and Silicone Are Prone to Color Transfer

TPE: Due to the nature of the material, TPE contains oils and is more prone to “absorbing” dyes, making it more susceptible to color transfer.

Silicone: Silicone is less prone to color transfer than TPE, but its surface has fine textures, so prolonged contact with dark dyes can still cause staining.

Color transfer is especially likely to occur in the following situations:

Prolonged contact with clothing
Exposure to high temperature and high humidity
Dressing the doll with clothing while sweat or oils are present

2. The Most Effective Ways to Prevent Color Transfer

1. Always Wash New Clothing First

Dark-colored clothing such as black, red, or navy is the main source of color transfer.

It is recommended to wash at least 2–3 times before use.
Wash with cold water to prevent further color bleeding.

2. Avoid Dressing the Doll in Dark Clothing for Long Periods

Pay special attention to:

Tight-fitting clothing
Long socks
Close-fitting lace or similar materials

Even if washed, dark clothing may still have residual dye. Prolonged contact increases the risk of color transfer.

3. Protect with White or Light-Colored Fabric

Areas prone to color transfer include:

Underarms
Inner thighs
Areas where straps touch the skin

Using white or light-colored cotton fabric as a barrier can help protect these areas.

4. Consider Using a Skin-Colored Bodysuit (Body Stocking)

These types of garments are highly elastic and can be freely cut to fit the doll’s outfit needs.

Sleeve length can be adjusted to long or short sleeves.
The design can be modified to expose larger areas of skin.
This allows for customization according to the doll’s clothing or desired look.

5. How to Treat Color Transfer if It Happens

You will need: cooking oil, paper towels, and plastic wrap.

Soak a paper towel with cooking oil.
Apply the paper towel to the stained area.
Cover the area with plastic wrap.
Replace the paper towel every 24 hours.

By using this method, in most cases, the color transfer will noticeably fade by the next day.