Look what the post man (almost) brought

[skypurr]

Gosh! what a haul - that looks like my idea of heaven 
Lucky You!

Elaine

[Martin Milner]

I like the igloos! I think there's plenty in there that's rare, I saw bids going over $50 for a single igloo set recently.

[Richard]

I'm curious, Ras ...

When you buy a huge lot like this, are they usually clean or do have to stick them in the washing machine or dishwasher and clean them up before you let your boys go through them?

I have read Little Jo's posts about how he cleans all of his Playmobil that he buys (or sells) at auction. And, I was just wondering if most sellers also do the same thing.

All the best,
Richard

[Martin Milner]

Very good question Richard. I had a set recently that had clearly come from the home of a heavy smoker, it really stank. I fear for the lungs of children from such households, if so much tar and nicotine deposit can land on their toys.

The larger pieces I put through the dishwasher (now I have one!) easily, and just required a little extra drying with paper towels or a cloth in the nooks and crannies. The smaller pieces (figures and all the accessories) I put in a bra-bag! This was a very fine mesh bag that's designed to hold two bras and prevent fraying and catching in the washer, and proved ideal for containing all the tiny parts safely.

Happy to say that after just one trip through the dishwasher all smell of smoke residue has gone, and any vaguely stinky eBay wins will get this treatment. Otherwise I don't bother washing stuff unless it's particularly dusty.

I'm curious, Ras ...

When you buy a huge lot like this, are they usually clean or do have to stick them in the washing machine or dishwasher and clean them up before you let your boys go through them?

I have read Little Jo's posts about how he cleans all of his Playmobil that he buys (or sells) at auction. And, I was just wondering if most sellers also do the same thing.

All the best,
Richard

[Tiermann]

I typically wash mine in a sink filled with hot water and dish soap. The only dishwasher here is me.

Great haul there, some wonderful stuff. If you're not aware of it that hoop piece with the hook attached in your last picture belongs to your pirate island set, it's the parrot perch that hangs in the gazebo.

[Gepetto]

After reading Little Jo's post I wash anything I receive in  nylon stockings which is put in a fine 'delicates' bag and run through the washer with the next batch of towels.

[Richard]

Very good question Richard. I had a set recently that had clearly come from the home of a heavy smoker, it really stank. I fear for the lungs of children from such households, if so much tar and nicotine deposit can land on their toys.

The larger pieces I put through the dishwasher (now I have one!) easily, and just required a little extra drying with paper towels or a cloth in the nooks and crannies. The smaller pieces (figures and all the accessories) I put in a bra-bag! This was a very fine mesh bag that's designed to hold two bras and prevent fraying and catching in the washer, and proved ideal for containing all the tiny parts safely.

Happy to say that after just one trip through the dishwasher all smell of smoke residue has gone, and any vaguely stinky eBay wins will get this treatment. Otherwise I don't bother washing stuff unless it's particularly dusty.

I typically wash mine in a sink filled with hot water and dish soap. The only dishwasher here is me.

After reading Little Jo's post I wash anything I receive in  nylon stockings which is put in a fine 'delicates' bag and run through the washer with the next batch of towels.

Thank you, Martin, Tim and Gepetto for your responses.

I have visited enough homes throughout my life to realize that everyone isn't quite as concerned about "cleanliness" as I am.

And, it's very nice to know that I'm not the only one who's a bit "compulsive clean" here at Playmofriends ... Actually, I would probably also use a disinfectant ...

Thanks again for your replies.

All the best,
Richard

[Rasputin]

What a haul! Lucky you!

This one? Stagecoach passenger.

30 05 2850 - Bowler hat

Drat!  Heather, you beat me to it!      Just kidding!   

Thank you Heather & Indianna, That is indeed the one I like and the fat man was in this lot so through process of elimination, and that fact that the old red stagecoach was there as well it is rather safe to say it came from set 3245.

Thanks again for the info
Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

[Rasputin]

I like the igloos! I think there's plenty in there that's rare, I saw bids going over $50 for a single igloo set recently.

Hi Martin

Yes the igloos are a somewhat rare and they can get expensive. I would have been a lot happier if there was also the sled and harness with the 4 dogs that came in the lot. I will appreciate the igloos when I make a winter scene some day. It rarely snows on the coast of California .

I'm curious, Ras ...

When you buy a huge lot like this, are they usually clean or do have to stick them in the washing machine or dishwasher and clean them up before you let your boys go through them?

I have read Little Jo's posts about how he cleans all of his Playmobil that he buys (or sells) at auction. And, I was just wondering if most sellers also do the same thing.

All the best,
Richard

Hi Richard

They are no cleaner of dirtier than the ones in my own collection. All my sets are out so they collect dust, cobwebs and the oh so annoying fly poop, barf ?  I usually spot wash anything that is extra dirty or where some kid threw in a few sticky raisins. I am by no means a overly clean person. My better-half takes care of that necessary department. The tobacco, tar smell is quite annoying when you first open a package or zip-lock baggy full of bits. The smell goes away pretty quick and I really just let them air out in the fresh air.

My wife really gets thing clean and she would be concerned if she saw how I do it. She still gets annoyed when she puts items in the fishtanks and they get stained green. I guess she has no idea what is rare and not.

 Plastic is an interesting compound and I do not know but have an inkling that it has a sort of oil in it. I speculate that if it gets washed too much with detergents it could strip these oils and make it more fragile similar to the way the sun bakes it crispy. In cars we spray silicone to lubricate plastic which makes it more flexible.  just a guess driven by either my laziness to clean or impatience to play with them 

Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

[Richard]

They are no cleaner of dirtier than the ones in my own collection. All my sets are out so they collect dust, cobwebs and the oh so annoying fly poop, barf ?

 

I usually spot wash anything that is extra dirty or where some kid threw in a few sticky raisins.

Hate those "sticky" raisins ... 

The tobacco, tar smell is quite annoying when you first open a package or zip-lock baggy full of bits. The smell goes away pretty quick and I really just let them air out in the fresh air.

Hmmm ... 

Plastic is an interesting compound and I do not know but have an inkling that it has a sort of oil in it. I speculate that if it gets washed too much with detergents it could strip these oils and make it more fragile similar to the way the sun bakes it crispy. In cars we spray silicone to lubricate plastic which makes it more flexible.  just a guess driven by either my laziness to clean or impatience to play with them 

Rasputin "The Mad Monk"

Interesting theory, Ras ... 

All the best,
Richard