on the Block, Inc.
School's Out--Time to Clean and Refurbish!
Here are a couple of helpful hints to start the next school year off right. Don't let summer pass you by without doing a little maintenance to your puppets and puppeteers!
To clean your puppets, you will need an upholstery cleaner (such as "Resolve Fabric & Upholstery Cleaner") and a damp sponge.
Remove puppet's clothing by pulling down over the feet NOT over the head (shoes and socks are not removable). Clipping the stitches at the shoulders and waist may be necessary. Machine wash clothes following the manufacturers instructions. Any clipped stitches should be re-sewn after cleaning.
After testing cleaning solution on an inconspicuous part of the puppet, lightly spray puppet's face, arms and legs. Avoid spraying the eyes, hair or "make-up" (brown lines around nose, eyes, freckles, etc.). Rub the surface gently with the damp sponge.
Use more cleanser to clean the opening at the back of the puppet, but DO NOT spray inside the puppet's head or body. Allow the puppet to air dry for 48 hours before re-dressing.
After the puppet has dried for 48 hours, you may freshen the "make-up" of fair skinned puppets (brown liner around eyes, noses, freckles, etc.) by carefully tracing over the original "make-up" using a fine, brown felt-tip marker (like a "Flair" or "Crayola"). DO NOT use a permanent marker.
If those old black turtlenecks have seen better days, retire them and pick up some official KOB Performing Shirts. Or, you can add a little polish to your troupe with Performing Hood & Glove Sets. Both are available through KOB National Headquarter's Supplemental Materials Catalogue.
