Barbie’s reasserted fame has reached all corners of the world with the 43rd Barbie movie released in 2023 to record audiences. But before she was a cinema star, Barbie played childhood companion to many generations of children.
The diversity of Barbie dolls and their limited production have created an opportunity for collectors, with some of the dolls selling on auction for thousands of dollars. According to Mattel’s estimates, there are more than 100,000 enthusiastic Barbie collectors, with vintage dolls being the most valuable on the market.
Barbie combines a passion for dolls with an opportunity to fatten your wallet. Needless to say, proper barbie storage is crucial to keeping your dolls safe and ensure their longevity not unlike other collectibles, such as comic books, vinyl records or collectible toy cars. Here are some useful tips on how to store your Barbie dolls.
1. Find the perfect place to keep your collection
Your Barbie collection needs a safe place to keep. Let’s explore some options you can consider:
- Keep your Barbie collection at home
If you have a small collection, an obvious Barbie storage idea is to keep your doll in your home. However, you want to find a spot that is sheltered from direct sunlight and is air conditioned in the summer and heated in the winter. A closet in a guest bedroom is an ideal spot for your collection, for instance.
- Put your Barbies in a storage unit
If your home can’t accommodate your precious items safely, you can turn to self storage. It’s a service frequently used by collectors as they seek to keep valuable items safe.A 5’x5’ unit should be a good fit for a Barbie collection and other small collectibles. If you have larger items that you need to store, such as old guitars, furniture or paintings, you can opt for a 5’x10’ storage unit.
For collectibles and other treasures, we recommend a climate-controlled self storage unit. This way, your valuables will remain protected from any weather-related damages. A few more dollars a month will give added protection to your investment, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.
2. Keep your Barbies inside the original box
After finding the right place for your Barbies, it’s time to think about how to take care of them. Be sure to keep the dolls in their original box if possible. This way, they are more likely to stay in pristine condition and their value will be higher. Also, keep in mind that a good-looking box is mandatory for a valuable doll, so you might wrap the box in protective materials, for example, a transparent plastic bag, to keep any dust away from the box. If you don’t have the Barbie’s original box, you can wrap the doll in acid-free archival paper and place it in bubble wrap or any other container. Make sure that the container is well-ventilated — if not, mold may grow and damage your collection.
The same thing applies to all other collectibles and valuable items in your self storage unit. A simple layer of plastic can save that old-school vinyl record your grandad gave you or that beautiful landscape painting you inherited from your grandmother. But most importantly, before packing your goodies in boxes or other containers, make sure you give them a good cleaning without damaging them.
3. Create the ideal environment for safe storage
Collectibles, such as vintage furniture, books, comic books, paintings antique electronics or vintage Barbie dolls, are often susceptible to damage caused by fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Extreme temperature can cause cracking, warping or fading of materials, while improper humidity can lead to mold growth, deterioration of fabrics and yellowing of paper-based items.
For that reason, controlling the climate of the space you plan to put your Barbie collection in storage is essential, especially when you want to ensure longevity. If you’re storing at home, make sure the room is heated in the cold season and is air conditioned in the summer.
4. Keep your Barbies organized
Keeping your stuff organized is important not only when you have a Barbie collection but for any collectible you might own. This will make your collection have a cleaner aspect and make it easy for you to find a desired item when you need it. Here are some Barbie organizers to help you keep your Barbies in good shape:
- Over-the-door organizer
You typically use an over-door organizer for shoe storage in your closet, but you can also use it to store your Barbies. The pockets are the right size to accommodate your dolls – you can fit one doll per pocket. This way, they can stay organized and have your collection visible when you open your closet.
- Under-the-bed clear bins
Turn to under-the-bed clear bins to help keep your Barbies safe, especially if you have an extensive collection. Lay them flat next to each other and dedicate a separate section of it for accessories. Put the latter in separate smaller containers to keep them together.
- Cube organizers
Cube organizers can also be great to help keep your Barbies put away. Use several cubes for the dolls and use one or two for accessories. Place cubes in a shelfing unit with cubes. A guest room or larger closet is a great to keep all of them.
- Tackle boxes
A tackle box that’s typically used for fishing or keeping for craft supplies can also be turned into a practical container for the smaller accessories for your Barbies. Compartments in most tackle boxes can be removed which makes them great for customizing them based on how much stuff you need for your accessories.
- DIY shelving
It’s easy to create your own storage Barbie solutions. All you need are some shelves and any storage furniture that can help you arrange your precious items. If you feel creative and would like to have them on display, place the shelves in an area of the home that you enjoy gathering, as they can work as great wall art. This is sure to give your Barbie collection a touch of personality.
Make sure that you place your collectibles with as much space between them as possible. For a better aesthetic, keep all the items upright and, voila! Your collection is stored securely and is ready to become a future fortune.
5. Take safety measures when relocating
If you’re planning to move, your collectibles deserve special attention. Pack individual items in bubble wrap, towels or another protective layer. Assuming that you’ll move the collection by car or moving van, make sure you secure it to avoid damage en route.
Having a collection might sound like a fun hobby, but it can also put some big bucks in your pocket if you learn how to treasure it. And with the recent Barbie craze, you might want to jump on the collectors’ bandwagon.
Frequently asked questions
When was the first Barbie doll created?
Barbie was first created in 1959 by Ruth Handler and manufactured by toy maker Mattel. It was advertised as a teenage fashion model, known as “No. 1 Ponytail”. She came in both with blonde and brunette options. The doll was named after the creator’s daughter, Barbara. Ken entered the scene later, in 1961.
How do you take care of a Barbie doll?
If your Barbie dolls carry a sentimental value, you should prepare them before putting them in long-term storage. Before you do that, clean your Barbie using lukewarm water and mild soap. Use conditioner and a soft brush to detangle the hair to get rid of knots. Besides cleaning it, do minor repairs if necessary. This can involve using clear nail polish to fix scratches and using superglue for minor cracks.
Can Barbies go in the bath?
Barbie dolls are waterproof. You can expect water not to cause any damage to the body or clothing. Keep in mind that all parts will be wet and you need to let them dry thoroughly to prevent any damage to metal parts if the model comes with them.
Is it OK to wash a Barbie doll’s hair?
You can wash your Barbie doll’s hair with shampoo and lukewarm water. Avoid hot water, as this can damage the vinyl skin. Use conditioner and a soft brush to detangle the hair to get rid of knots.
How much did the most expensive Barbie sell for?
The priciest Barbie doll ever sold is the Stefano Canturi model released in 2010 by the Australian designer with the same name. With her light blond hair and black party dress, this Barbie’s key element is her custom-made choker designed with white and pink diamonds. Only one such doll was produced and was sold at — are you ready — $302,500. Moreover, proceeds from the sale went to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which was the main reason for the production and sale of this special Barbie.
Besides this model, the older the Barbie doll is, the higher the price will be. For example, the first Barbie doll ever made, which was worth $3 in 1959, can now be found on eBay for $16,000. In addition to the vintage Barbies, limited production editions such as the 1999 De Beers 40th Anniversary Barbie was auctioned off for a whopping $85,000. Two other special editions that became worth a fortune are the 2000 Millennium Princess Barbie Doll, which is listed on eBay at $15,000, and the 2000 Holiday Celebration Barbie Doll, worth $11,000.
This article was written by Matei Popescu. With a big passion for storytelling, Matei is currently working as a Marketing Writer Intern for Yardi. He started his professional journey as a graphic designer, equipped with a B.A. in Advertising, and gradually got into writing, starting from technical writing and ending up in the creative arena.
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