Warning: abandoned ponies in poor condition

So I've started cleaning an abandoned building and found a bag of toys with some ponies. I don't know where to start with cleaning these but I also don't want to throw them out. They have mold and/or mildew. Advice please? Clean or toss? If clean, how? I'm sad.


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Oof, those ponies look rough. But I don't think they're unsalvageable, at least not all of them. Oxyclean and elbow grease can work wonders. If I were you I'd try to sort them into small manageable batches, and sort out which ponies need what kind of TLC. Some may unfortunately be beyond saving, but (for instance) that Zecora is still in her box, so she may be ok. Best of luck!!!!

Really, the only pony here I think you’ll have a really difficult time with is the CJ because of her flocking.

As you are aware the MLP Preservation Project is the best resource for restoration projects like this. You will likely need to utilize several techniques to get these gals all completely cleaned. But they will get clean.

The ponies without glitter/tinsel/flocking I highly recommend opening up (removing heads) and giving them a good soak in an Oxyclean bath with hot water. Let them soak outside in a clear container on a sunny day for the entire day. I find this helps keep the oxy solution reaction keep going. Then take them out and scrub them and wash with dish soap, this may honestly take it all off but you may have a few stubborn ones.

Your ponies with glitter/tinsel/flocking need to be cleaned in cold water and dish soap. They can be very sensitive to other products. So these may take a few baths but the will eventually come clean. For CJ I would suggest while washing the hair with shampoo/conditioner to wash her whole body with the shampoo too and use a soft bristle toothbrush to gently clean the flocking and vinyl (again must be cold water or flocking will come off).

Then just shampoo and condition hair for everypony and leave the to dry upside down (head/body still separated) so all the water can drain out properly. I like to leave them for 48-72hours to ensure fully dried in all the nooks and crannies a pony has.

my heart hurts for these ponies, and those G3's!! hopefully they can be restored. poor amberlocks, desert rose & large rarity. the mcdonalds toy & ponyville's should be fine though

I wanna scrub them so bad!!!

Gingerbread said:

I wanna scrub them so bad!!!

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I want to help them so bad

Thank you Skybreeze and everyone for the Preservation Project link and instructions. I will gather supplies tomorrow and see what happens.

Recyclebella said:

So I've started cleaning an abandoned building and found a bag of toys with some ponies. I don't know where to start with cleaning these but I also don't want to throw them out. They have mold and/or mildew. Advice please? Clean or toss? If clean, how? I'm sad.

Spoiler: Here is picture for sensitive viewers.

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Theyre definitely salvageable!! They just need some deep cleaning, poor things! If you decide you would rather toss them please dont throw them away, Id gladly take them off your hands! i couldnt pay much but Id help with shipping if it meant keeping them from the trash.

those poor ponies! they're absolutely salvageable, but in need of a very good bath! as stated above, an oxi clean soak will do wonders for this crew. if any of them have mildew or mold inside, pipe cleaners are handy for scraping legs and other hard to reach crevices inside the pony.

I had a princess Tiffany who was disgusting and she actually came out really good!

Owlbeast that's a great idea about the pipe cleaners. Thank you.

I have a an extra straw/bottle brush that I use.

You can do it! Save those ponies!! I'm so glad they have been rescued. I agree with all of the above.

You can clean them put on gloves, put them one at a time into a trash bag, for the love of god save Cherry Treats and Desert Rose. Zecora is still MIB! It's just that each pony will need it's own spa day with the head taken off and oxy-clean, etc. At least they aren't sun faded

Oh wow Id be dying to clean them all up. They really look rough but I see potential there.

You can do it. Time patience, and persistence. I am so excited to see the after photos!

Tak said:

You can do it. Time patience, and persistence. I am so excited to see the after photos!

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Slow going with my elbow injury though. I got the major surface gunk off half of them today. I'm nervous about taking off the heads that are firmly glued on but I watched the tutorials and I think it'll be ok. I haven't taken ponies apart like that in probably 10 years. I started with Cherry Treats...I hate that she is so dirty because her hair is actually really nice. Zecora is liberated from her box but safe, and Ponyvilles cleaned up fine with Dawn and magic eraser. Will post pics when I get more done.

Recyclebella said:

Slow going with my elbow injury though. I got the major surface gunk off half of them today. I'm nervous about taking off the heads that are firmly glued on but I watched the tutorials and I think it'll be ok. I haven't taken ponies apart like that in probably 10 years. I started with Cherry Treats...I hate that she is so dirty because her hair is actually really nice. Zecora is liberated from her box but safe, and Ponyvilles cleaned up fine with Dawn and magic eraser. Will post pics when I get more done.

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Don’t make your injury worse! Take care of yourself. :xmashug:

So...I started on the first group with a preliminary bath and I thought I would share progress. G1s still have a long way to go, but G4s & Ponyvilles seem fine now and G3s look like they'll be ok for play quality after more work. There was a plastic zipper bag in there with a bunch of accessories and McDonalds Kimono who I thought was so cute!

they look so, so much better even now. you really are doing a great service for these ponies. glad that desert rose still has her light pink hair.