| CARING FOR YOUR SMURFS & CLEANING SMURFS |
Caring for Your Smurfs
Keeping your Smurf figures in great shape is easy! Follow a few simple steps and your Smurfs will look as good as the first day you got them. 1) Keep your hands clean, 2) No Smoking around Smurfs, 3) Keep your Smurf Figures protected, and 4) Avoid direct sunlight when displaying your figures.
Smurfs with Paint Rubs | Smurfs with Missing Paint
The painting on the Smurf is an important part of the value of your Smurf.
The better the paint job, the higher the value. When Smurf Figures have missing paint or paint rubs they are worth less than their perfectly painted counterparts!
Noses, fingertips and little blue tails are often places where paint rubs occur.
Repainting Smurfs or touching up Smurfs is an ongoing debate... |
TIP: Store your Smurfs figures carefully. Don't just throw them all into one big bag or they will rub against each other, which can result in paint loss.
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Broken Smurfette Cowgirl | Broken Smurf Figures
Sometimes Smurf Figures are broken. In this case, unlucky Smurfette is missing her arm.
Kids, pets, nasty older brothers, pesky little sisters - can "accidentally" break off parts of a Smurf.
Aside from accidents, Smurfs can also be damaged if not stored and protected properly. Keep your Smurfs safe in a display case to stop pieces breaking off. |
Yellowed Smurf Figure | Yellowed Smurf Figures
Why did my Smurf turn yellow?
Sometimes Smurf Figures show discoloration. Smurfs can fade or even yellow with age.
Red and Orange paint are particularly susceptible to fading.
Keep your Smurfs out of direct sunlight to help stop this yellowing process. In addition, smokers should not touch the Smurf with nicotine coated fingers - the stains are permanent. |
Burnt Victim Smurf
... perhaps Jokey gave him an exploding present! | Abused Smurf Figures
Melted, burned, chewed, dismembered and neglected on so many levels... not even Gargamel would subject the Smurfs to such torture! But the simple truth is that Smurf Abuse is a dirty little secret.
Some slobbering pets simply cannot resist seeing a Smurf as a new best friend worthy of a chew-toy status. Dogs may be man's best friend, but they aren't Smurfs'! |
Dirty Smurf | Dirty Smurfs
This Smurf's teeth may be clean, but the rest of him could use a good wash!
Crunchy, dusty, muddy, sticky, moldy and generally disgusting - there is no limit to how dirty a Smurf can become over time.
It's sometimes best not to know how a Smurf became so messy. |
CLEANING SMURFS
- How do I clean my Smurfs?
- How do I wash my Smurfs?
- What product should I use to wash my Smurfs?
First, note that Smurf figures absorb odors from the environment...and the chemicals that make up those odors. Avoid cleaning your Smurfs with perfumed soaps or anything scented - they're not really "clean" if you've given them a perfume bath that will never rinse off.
Clean your Smurfs with warm water and a very mild soap. Often you don't need the soap at all - warm water will do. If you do choose to use soap, don't use a harsh soap because it is abrasive. Make sure to rinse your Smurf thoroughly after you've cleaned him. (Soap residue can attract dirt) Use a soft cotton towel or cloth to dry the Smurf.
TIP: Use an old soft toothbrush to clean hard to reach areas of the Smurf figurine. Be gentle - your Smurf is delicate!
Another great way to clean your Smurfs is with Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. These cleaning pads are soft and delicate enough to keep your Smurfs safe and they really do erase dirt and marks on your Smurfs like "magic".
By now you've seen how important it is to keep your Smurfs clean and protected. Not only does it maintain the value of your Smurfs, but you'll enjoy your collection more! So follow the four "How to Clean Your Smurf" rules below to keep your Smurfs clean, safe and sound: |
Keep Your Hands Clean
Keeping your Smurfs clean can be as simple as keeping your hands clean. Wet Ones Hand Wipes removes the grease and oil from your hands and will keep your Smurfs clean for years to come. |
No Smoking
Cigarette and other smoke causes permanent chemical changes to the Smurfs' PVC. The color of the Smurf will change, it will become more brittle, and can even emit an odor. Keep your Smurfs away from smoke.
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Protect Your Smurfs
You want to keep your Smurfs clean - so you're going to need some long-term protection! A simple and inexpensive solution are tiny Zip-Loc bags. Put each Smurf in a plastic bag to protect them from rubs. A protective display case is another way to keep your Smurfs safe - and it's a good way to showcase your collection! |
Where to Store your Smurfs
Avoid sunlight and UV rays to help keep your Smurfs looking fresh. Choose a good spot to store your Smurfs: a dedicated drawer, cabinet, or room (away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures) is optimal.
Remember... a clean Smurf is a happy Smurf! |
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