If you’ve worked hard on something (say, your car or a model plane), it’s natural to want to protect it. Your figurines shouldn’t be an exception. But where do you start? What solutions are there to protecting your figures? In this article, we’ll show you a couple of methods on how to not only keep your valuable collector’s figurines clean and tidy, but also how to keep them that way as well.

As passionate collectors of figurines ourselves—whether anime figures, Funko Pops, action figures, or statues—we understand that being able to protect our investment is essential. Figurines can fade, scratch, or degrade over time without the right care.

This guide will teach you how to clean, store, and preserve collectible figurines so they stay in mint condition for years to come.

In this article, we’ll discuss:

• Gentle cleaning solutions for figurines

• Methods of preservation for figurines

• Other tips on how to keep your toys in tip-top shape

Cleaning Your Figurines

Generally, you should first be testing any products you use on your figurines in a small area - this will help to ensure it doesn't catastrophically damage the paint or plastic. Additionally, one should be gentle as gentle products such as soap or even just water may lead to unwanted abrasion. Avoid harsh chemicals and cleaners, and be cautious when cleaning to prevent damage. 

To properly clean any figures, it’s best to start by dusting them with a soft, dry cloth or a gentle brush. For stubborn smudges or marks, use a soft-bristle toothbrush with diluted dish soap and warm water. Figures can then be placed next to a cool fan (avoid heat solutions such as air-drying) or simply left to air-dry by themselves. Now your figure’s looking squeaky clean!

Methods Of Preservation

Now that your figure’s all dolled up, it’d be nice if we could keep it looking that way. Let’s take a look at some of the ways we can do this:

Protective Cases

• Soft Protectors (Funko Pops): These are inexpensive, clear plastic sleeves designed for standard 4-inch Funko boxes.

• Hard Stacks (Funko Pop Stacks): Rigid acrylic or polycarbonate cases for added protection from drops and crushing.

• UV-Protective Cases (Any figurines, though your mileage may vary as you’ll have to find ones that fit your figurine): Blocks sunlight to prevent fading of boxes and figures.

Other Tips

Here are some other general tips that you might find useful on your collecting journey!

Dusting: 

• Use a microfiber cloth or a gentle brush to remove loose dust and debris. 

• For more difficult-to-reach areas, a canned air duster can be helpful. 

Cleaning Stubborn Spots: 

• For smudges, grease, or sticker residue, try a dilution of rubbing alcohol in water on a soft cloth or toothbrush (remember to spot test first).

• If the stain is particularly stubborn, use a soft-bristle toothbrush with a diluted dish soap and warm water solution. 

• Gently clean the area, avoiding soaking the figurine and let it air dry. 

Storage:

• Keep figurines in a cool, dry place.

• Use a dehumidifier in very humid climates to avoid possible mold or warping.

• Store them away from windows or use UV-blocking window film.

• Sunlight can bleach both the box and figure over time.

• When storing multiple figurines on top of each other, avoid stacking too high to prevent crushing the lower boxes.

• Use shelving units with dividers or spacers for stability.

• Oils from hands can cause discoloration or wear - try to minimize contact with your figurines if possible, other than to clean them when necessary.

Conclusion

Whether you're a casual collector or a die-hard figurine fan, keeping your collectible figurines clean and protected can greatly extend their life and preserve their value.

In short, these are our top tips on how to keep your collection in check from Cooledtured:

• Clean gently and regularly

• Use protective display cases

• Avoid direct sunlight and humidity

• Minimize physical contact

• Store smart and display safer

What did you think? Did we miss any? Fixing to implement any of these solutions in your collection? Let us know by reaching out to us on social media!