Maintaining Fursuit Care

Remember that the more you do know, the less you have to worry about later. Making sure that you properly manage your fursuit, you can elongate its longevity and quality.

FURSUIT CARE BEFORE SUITING:

Bathing before suit/ How to clean. Its always imperative to prep both people as well as the suit. Making sure the body is clean prevent odors and bacteria from setting in the wet, and moist environment that can become your suit! By making sure your clean, you can make sure yours suit stays clean longer.

It’s encouraged to wear a Spandex or Lycra based fabric to prevent the spread of human oils on the backing of the fur. This creates a barrier to protect both you from the fibers of the suit as well as the suit from human oils that can damage the backing and overall strength of the suit. Oils can lead to bacterial buildup so make sure to wear clean clothing and practice good hygiene before going suiting. This will increase the longevity of the suit. If you are intending to suit multiple days at a convention or event, make sure to clean your clothing and Lycra/Spandex underneath your suit each day. If you do not have access to a washing machine, you can clean them by hand and hang them to dry overnight. It is also important to sterilize your suits on the outside and inside. When using sprays avoid using scented sprays inside the head and suit and restrict it to areas away from the mouth. Spray the inside of your suit with scentless spray to reduce risk of skin irritation and/or asphyxiation. Sterilizing your suit does NOT replace washing it, it is for stopping bacteria growth and the spread of illness from interacting with others.

Make sure to research the area and its conditions to understand possible risks. It’s advised to scout areas before suiting so you can see things that might be a hazard that can be but is not limited to things like elevated paths of concrete, holes, and traffic. Always be wary of things that can permanently damage your or the suit like chemicals, paint, swimming pools, fire, and more.

By doing these before suiting, you can prevent the synthetic fibers and fabrics of your suit from becoming damaged visually, structurally, and hygienically.

FURSUIT CARE WHILE SUITING:

UNDER NO CONDITION USE FEBREEZE OR ANY PRODUCTS SIMILAR. IT TRAPS ODORS AND PUTS YOU AT RISK FOR ASPHYXIATION.

Be aware and avoid potential hazards when suiting. Try to bring someone to watch out for you and alert you of any potential dangers in the nearby vicinity. Remember that the people that you interact with will also have obscured vision so avoid approaching places that might pose risk to damage or stain your fursuit. Sometimes people asking for a hug or photo can be a risk because the could have chocolate on them. Try also avoid being around food and drinks other than water. Holding a grease covered McDonald’s bag walking down the street does not and did not end well, trust me.

Most importantly, avoid pool water, chemicals, and open flame because each will and can burn/melt the fibers on your fursuit. Pool water has chlorine and/or copper which can melt acrylic fibers on suit while also weighing you down. Just because your fluffy doesn’t mean you’ll float as well as having a aquatic fursona doesn’t mean that you can breathe at the bottom of the pool. Most of all, avoid open flame. You don’t want to struggle to get out of your suit in a panic while becoming a smore. Becoming Furry À la flambée is not ideal.

Avoid horseplay, even if you are not a horse. A lot damage to suit come from extreme activities This can lead to popped seams, stained fur, and puts you at risk of getting injured. A lot damage to suit come from extreme activities such as but not limited to rough housing, fighting, crawling, flipping, or becoming a contestant onWipeout.

Stay off the floor. You never know what was on the floor before you got there. Friction with the ground can scrape of parts of your fursuit leading to fur balding, melting fur fibers together, and setting stains. This should be adhered to especially outside. Think about how hard it is to clean a dog after its rolled in mud.

Always be mindful of the weather. Foam absorbs water which can not only weigh down the suit but can actually lead to popped seams due to increased weight and pressure in foam based areas. Water can also lead to mold, so be sure to wash your suit after being exposed to rainwater, snow, etc. Precipitation commonly can have small trait amounts of chemicals as well as bring oils and dirt to the surface of outside areas when wet. Much like that of with cars, rain can create low traction resulting in slipping and fall so make sure to be safe Make sure to also watch temperatures both in fursuit and outside of it. Your internal temperature will always be influenced by the outside elements. Humid environments can increase the amount of sweat produced due to already an excess of water vapor in the air. Sweat can spread bacteria, weigh down the suit, become uncomfortable, dehydrate more quickly, and degrade the overall experience, so make sure to take breaks regularly.

FURSUIT CARE AFTER SUITING:

Cleaning the Head

-Remove any loose items such as removable eyelids, horns, antlers, and electronics

With a Water Vacuum…

-We recommend using a water vacuum like a Little Green® Portable Carpet Cleaner because it reduces the risk of damage to your fursuit while ensuring the inside is clean thoroughly.

-When using the Water Vacuum, ensure to follow the directions stated on the machine and follow them.

-Before beginning to clean, put something in the eyeblanks to protect the see-through mesh. This can be a small rag or some paper towels

-Also place a towel for this cleaning to take place and keep in mind anything in the general area might become part of the “Splash Zone”

-Fill the vacuum to the specific model and companies instruction.

-Spray the mixed water and cleaning solution onto and inside your head ensuring to get every spot.

-Turn of the machine when the desired area has been sprayed and use the brush to gently scrub the fur with the nap.

-You can do this in sections or in entirety. Sections usually work the easiest.

-Once scrubbed, turn the machine back on and suck the water and soap solution out of the fur and lining. There should be a lot of water at first but then become a trickle.

-Repeat this process

-After this, either with the solution in the machine for just water or run water over the top and inside of the head

-Scrub once again with the grain and on the lining, ensuring the soap has been completely removed.

-Turn on the machine and suck out the remaining water

-Use a dry towel and wipe the outside of your fursuit head and the inside and dry to get the most of the surface.

-Place the head near a fan and have it blowing on the inside of the head.As it dries when right-side out, make sure to use a pet slicker brush with rubber/soft ends to brush it every few hours. Make sure to brush with the fur grain/direction and hold the slicker brush upside-down to prevent pulling out fibers.

-Once this part is bone dry, place the fan blowing towards the outside.

-After the suit is completely dried, spray the inside of the head with a bottle, not an entire bottle, of diluted isopropyl alcohol and water spray (the percentage of alcohol to water should be higher than 50% but lower than 70%). Scented and/or unscented spray can be used on the outside of the head, on the fur, but try avoiding putting scented sprays in areas in contact with your eyes mouth, and skin to avoid irritation. Make sure the spray dries before wearing!

In a Washing Machine…

It is not advised to put you fursuit head in a washing machine because it can but is not limited to creating bald spots, damaging eyes, and popping stitches. If you decide this is what you want to do, make sure to wrap the head in a casing, preferably a fursuit travel bag to protect the raw fur

In a Container

-If you decide to clean your fursuit by hand, fill a container big enough with water that is able to submerge the entire head.

*Note that bathtubs are full of hair, dirt, grime, and cleaning agents. If you are to use a bathtub, please ensue it is clean.

-Add a soap of choice that you have tested on a given swatch to ensure their is not discoloration

*We do not have any soap recommendations but look for soaps that are scentless or fragrance free.

-Once the soap is in the tub, mix up the water so that soap is evenly distributed.

-Once finished, add the head into the container and submerge it completely

*Make sure to knead parts of your fursuit gently to avoid busting a seam and to ensure the soap is getting to the foam core.

-Run your fingers through the outside of the fur and the inside of of the head in the tub and scrub gently.

-A brush can be used but make sure it is a sifter brush to avoid pulling out fur.

-Most of the cleaning should be focused on the inside of the head on the lining considering that is where most of the the wear and oils are located

-Once scrubbed, pour the water out of the tub and try do push as much of the water out of you head as you can

-Once your done with this, run water over the top of your heads and keep kneading and running water over to ensure that soap is removed from the inside.

-Once done, take a towel and wipe the suit and then put a dry towel on the inside of the suit with a fan on the outside. On the towel has absorbed most of the water. place the fan in a place in which it can blow inside the head and dry out the lining and foam. If you have another fan, have it blow towards the outside of the head to dry faster.

Cleaning the Bodysuit:

-Check pockets for any items like devices, stickers, etc…

-Remove any padding and/or electronics embedded inside the suit. Wash the padding separately on the same settings.

Washing Machine

-Before putting it inside the washing machine, turn your suit completely inside out.

-When using a new or different detergent or machine, always first test both by running a test swatch through the washer. Make sure that their furs color has not changed, been damaged or starts balding.

-Wash with gentle to mild detergent. Avoid putting the detergent directly on the fursuit.

-When your fursuit is inside of the machine, make sure the water is set to COLD also on Fill and Delicate

-Once your washer has stopped running, run it a second time without detergent to ensure all of the soap has been removed.

-If your dryer has a spin setting, a setting that DOES NOT USE HEAT, put you fursuit in it and run it once or twice till your suit feels dry or only slightly damp. This uses centrifugal force to ring out your suit, It should NEVER USE HEAT.

*If you are not sure if your machine has this option, do not try it on a suit worth as much as the machine. Use the swatches provided.

-When either of these finish, take your suit of of the washer or dryer and hang it on a broad suit hanger, this will prevent it from stretching the fur under the added weight.

-While hanging, keep the suit flipped inside out and dry it preferably with a sitting fan until the backing of the fabric is dry or almost completely dry.

-Once the fur backing feel dry, flip the suit inside out and dry the furred side until it is bone dry. As it dries when right-side out, make sure to use a pet slicker brush with rubber/soft ends to brush it every few hours. Make sure to brush with the fur grain/direction and hold the slicker brush upside-down to prevent pulling out fibers.

When you suit is dry to the touch, make sure to check for any areas that are still wet. Check areas higher amounts of fabric and/or lining. These areas include but are not limited to the neck, armpit, crotch, thighs, and spine.

After the suit is completely dried, spray the inside of the suit with a bottle, not an entire bottle, of diluted isopropyl alcohol and water spray (the percentage of alcohol to water should be higher than 60% but lower than 70%). Scented and/or unscented spray can be used on the outside of the suit, on the fur, but try avoiding putting scented sprays in areas in contact with your eyes mouth, and skin to avoid irritation. Make sure the spray dries before wearing!

In a Container

-If you decide to clean your fursuit by hand, fill a container big enough with water that is able to submerge the entire head.

*Note that bathtubs are full of hair, dirt, grime, and cleaning agents. If you are to use a bathtub, please ensue it is clean.

-Add a soap of choice that you have tested on a given swatch to ensure their is not discoloration

*We do not have any soap recommendations but look for soaps that are scentless or fragrance free.

-Once the soap is in the tub, mix up the water so that soap is evenly distributed.

--Before cleaning, turn your suit completely inside out.

-Once finished, add the turned bodysuit into the container and submerge it completely

*Make sure to knead parts of your fursuit gently to avoid busting a seam

-Run your fingers through the back of the backing and on any lining (if applicable) in the tub and scrub gently.

-DO NOT use a brush as it may pull fur through the backing.

-Once finished, flip the suit where the fur is facing the outside and repeat the process.

-Run you hands through the fur with the fur grain as you clean. You may use a soft brush on the side with fur.

-Once scrubbed, pour the water out of the tub and try do push as much of the water out of you bodysuit as you can without wringing it.

-Once your done with this, run water over the top of your heads and keep kneading and running water over to ensure that soap is removed from the inside.

-Once done, take a towel and wipe the suit.

-Take your suit and hang it on a broad suit hanger, this will prevent it from stretching the fur under the added weight.

-While hanging, keep the suit flipped inside out and dry it preferably with a sitting fan until the backing of the fabric is dry or almost completely dry.

Cleaning the Tail

Washing Machine

If your tail has a zipper…

-Us the zipper use this to open and remove the poly-fill in the tail

-If possible, flip the tail son the backing is facing outside

-Ever once in a while, re-stuff the tail and wash it with the poly-fill to clean it. (This may compress it so it will have to be ripped up after he wash and dry.

-Place inside the washer.

-Wash with gentle to mild detergent. Avoid putting the detergent directly on the fursuit.

-When your fursuit is inside of the machine, make sure the water is set to COLD also on Fill and Delicate

-Once your washer has stopped running, run it a second time without detergent to ensure all of the soap has been removed.

*If you are not sure if your machine has this option, do not try it on a suit worth as much as the machine. Use the swatches provided.

-Once dried, place hanging near a fan

-Once the fur backing feel dry, flip the tail inside out and dry the furred side until it is bone dry. Sett the Poly-fill aside and as soon as it dries, rip it apart to reintroduce air and give it volume. As it dries when right-side out, make sure to use a pet slicker brush with rubber/soft ends to brush it every few hours. Make sure to brush with the fur grain/direction and hold the slicker brush upside-down to prevent pulling out fibers.

-Re-stuff the Tail when completely dry

-After the suit is completely dried, spray the inside of the suit with a bottle, not an entire bottle, of diluted isopropyl alcohol and water spray (the percentage of alcohol to water should be higher than 60% but lower than 70%). Scented and/or unscented spray can be used for this step. Make sure the spray dries before wearing!

If your tail does not have a zipper…

-Try to put the entire tail in a long pillowcase to protect the fur from balding

-Place inside the washer.

-Wash with gentle to mild detergent. Avoid putting the detergent directly on the fursuit.

-When your fursuit is inside of the machine, make sure the water is set to COLD also on Fill and Delicate

-Once your washer has stopped running, run it a second time without detergent to ensure all of the soap has been removed.

*If you are not sure if your machine has this option, do not try it on a suit worth as much as the machine. Use the swatches provided.

-Once dried, place hanging near a fan

-As it dries, make sure to use a pet slicker brush with rubber/soft ends to brush it every few hours. Make sure to brush with the fur grain/direction and hold the slicker brush upside-down to prevent pulling out fibers.

After the suit is completely dried, spray the inside of the suit with a bottle, not an entire bottle, of diluted isopropyl alcohol and water spray (the percentage of alcohol to water should be higher than 60% but lower than 70%). Scented and/or unscented spray can be used for this step. Make sure the spray dries before wearing!

In a Container

-If you decide to clean your fursuit by hand, fill a container big enough with water that is able to submerge the entire tail.

*Note that bathtubs are full of hair, dirt, grime, and cleaning agents. If you are to use a bathtub, please ensue it is clean.

-Add a soap of choice that you have tested on a given swatch to ensure their is not discoloration

*We do not have any soap recommendations but look for soaps that are scentless or fragrance free.

-Once the soap is in the tub, mix up the water so that soap is evenly distributed.

-Once finished, add the tail into the container and submerge it completely

*Make sure to knead parts of your fursuit gently to avoid busting a seam

-Run you hands through the fur with the fur grain as you clean. You may use a soft brush on the side with fur.

-Once scrubbed, pour the water out of the tub and try do push as much of the water out of you tail as you can without wringing it.

-Once your done with this, run water over the top of tail and keep kneading and running water over to ensure that soap is removed from the inside.

-Once done, take a towel and wipe the fur on the tail.

-Take your tail and hang it. Try supporting parts of the tail if it is longer, this will prevent it from stretching the belt connection under the added weight.

-While hanging, keep the suit flipped inside out and dry it preferably with a sitting fan until the backing of the fabric is dry or almost completely dry.

-When you tail is dry to the touch, make sure to check for any areas that are still wet.

Cleaning the Hand Paws

Washing Machine

-Try to put the paws in a fabric bag/pillowcase that can protect the fur from balding while washing

-Place them in the washer.

-Wash with gentle to mild detergent. Avoid putting the detergent directly on the fursuit paws/bag.

-When your fursuit is inside of the machine, make sure the water is set to COLD also on Fill and Delicate

-Once your washer has stopped running, run it a second time without detergent to ensure all of the soap has been removed.

*If you are not sure if your machine has this option, do not try it on a suit worth as much as the machine. Use the swatches provided.

-Place hanging near a fan. Try to make it where air is blowing through the opening of the hand paws to ensure the inside dries.

-After the suit is completely dried, spray the inside of the suit with a bottle, not an entire bottle, of diluted isopropyl alcohol and water spray (the percentage of alcohol to water should be higher than 60% but lower than 70%). Scented and/or unscented spray can be used on the outside of the suit, on the fur, but try avoiding putting scented sprays in areas in contact with your eyes mouth, and skin to avoid irritation. Make sure the spray dries before wearing!

In a Container

-If you decide to clean your fursuit by hand, fill a container big enough with water that is able to submerge the both paws.

*Note that bathtubs are full of hair, dirt, grime, and cleaning agents. If you are to use a bathtub, please ensue it is clean.

-Add a soap of choice that you have tested on a given swatch to ensure their is not discoloration

*We do not have any soap recommendations but look for soaps that are scentless or fragrance free.

-Once the soap is in the tub, mix up the water so that soap is evenly distributed.

-Once finished, add the paws into the container and submerge it completely

*Make sure to knead parts of your fursuit gently to avoid busting a seam

-Run you hands through the fur with the fur grain as you clean. You may use a soft brush on the side with fur.

-Once scrubbed, pour the water out of the tub and try do push as much of the water out of you tail as you can without wringing it.

-Once your done with this, run water over the both paws and keep kneading and running water over to ensure that soap is removed from the inside.

-Once done, take a towel and wipe the fur on the paws as well as the lining.

-Place hanging near a fan. Try to make it where air is blowing through the opening of the hand paws to ensure the inside dries.

-After the suit is completely dried, spray the inside of the suit with a bottle, not an entire bottle, of diluted isopropyl alcohol and water spray (the percentage of alcohol to water should be higher than 60% but lower than 70%). Scented and/or unscented spray can be used on the outside of the suit, on the fur, but try avoiding putting scented sprays in areas in contact with your eyes mouth, and skin to avoid irritation. Make sure the spray dries before wearing!

Cleaning the Feet Paws

Washing Machine

*Avoid washing your feet paws in a washing machine as the motion may damage the bottom of the paws and cause deterioration.

-Try to put the paws in a fabric bag/pillowcase that can protect the fur from balding while washing

-Place them in the washer. You may be only able to wash one at a time.

-Wash with gentle to mild detergent. Avoid putting the detergent directly on the fursuit paws/bag.

-When your fursuit is inside of the machine, make sure the water is set to COLD also on Fill and Delicate

-Once your washer has stopped running, run it a second time without detergent to ensure all of the soap has been removed.

*If you are not sure if your machine has this option, do not try it on a suit worth as much as the machine. Use the swatches provided.

-Place near a fan. Try to make it where air is blowing across the fur of the feet paws. Change the fan(s) position every 30 minuted and/or when dry.

-After the suit is completely dried, spray the inside of the suit with a bottle, not an entire bottle, of diluted isopropyl alcohol and water spray (the percentage of alcohol to water should be higher than 60% but lower than 70%). Scented and/or unscented spray can be used on the outside of the suit, on the fur, but try avoiding putting scented sprays in areas in contact with your eyes mouth, and skin to avoid irritation. Make sure the spray dries before wearing!

In a Container

-If you decide to clean your fursuit by hand, fill a container big enough with water that is able to submerge either one or both feet paws.