I saw someone post this.  http://puppetproductions.stores.yahoo.net/casapuwa.html
I'm just wondering if there is something more home made. Something that may be a little more work but gets the job done just the same.  I'm almost done with my first puppet and noticed it has bit's of dust and other stuff on it.  I figure I would like him to be clean before I show him.

We quilters use a vacuum cleaner and a piece of screen for windows (without the frame).  You cover the puppet with the screen in the area you want to clean and put your vacuum on a lower suction and use one of the hand attachment tools and start vacuum over the screen and move the screen around as you cover each area.  Now this will only deal with dust and other minor build up of stuff on the puppet it will not take off any stains.

This will prevent the materials being sucked into the puppet pulling details/things off by the aggressive suction.

I have no suggestions on how to wash the puppet if that is a concern unless you buy the product that you found and follow the directions. 

I am wondering if any one has had any success with Febreeze to spray and keep the puppets head from smelling like sweaty hands?  It doesn't seem that it breaks down materials since it is safe to use on these products such as couches, seats, clothing and carpet.  I would suggest to do one spray inside the head not outside and allow it to air dry.  Just a thought.....

Daryl H

That method scares me =D  Yeah I would be curious about  febreeze to.  A long time back I saw a thread with a bunch of different ways to clean puppets but for the life of me I can't remember where it was from.  The first two days of research was a blur.

That method scares me =D

What method scares you?  Spray or Vacuum?

Daryl H

I have a Dryel brand home kit that you use to spot clean and freshen dry cleanables.  I use the spot cleaner on puppets and it works nicely.

Mild soap and water.   Don't forget that your puppet is simply fabric and foam, anything you would use to spot clean your cloths should work on your puppet. Always test on an area that does not show or on a scrap of fabric you used for your puppet. I have found the Tide sticks to work quite well on costumes and would imagine it would work well on puppets.

On the subject of keeping your puppets smelling nice.  When you are through working with them, do what we do in the costume world.  Spray the insides with Vodka.  Yep you heard me right.  Vodka kills the bacteria that is in sweat and keeps it from "smelling".  It well not damage the puppet or fabric at all and dries pretty fast.  With all the fancy products out there wardrobe departments still use this as a way to keep costumes smelling fresh.  Use the cheapest you can find but if you can get 100% poof it works better then 80% proof.

I love this site!  Thanks Shawn!