​Getting your suit is fine and dandy, but caring for it is just as important! Here is some basic information to get you started!

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The most important thing to remember about cleaning fursuits is to keep any and all heat away from them. Heat melts the fur, and once this happens it CANNOT be fixed! Do not wash suits in heat, do not leave suits in hot cars, and do not use hairdryers on suits unless you have extensive practice on scrap fur!

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Disinfecting your suit is just as important as washing it. You should disinfect your suit after every wear, no matter for how long. The best disinfectant for a fursuit is a 50/50 solution of water and isopropyl alcohol. Isopropyl can be found in any pharmacy, and in most grocery stores. Ethyl alcohol can also be used for those who live in areas where isopropyl is less common. There are a few things to note about disinfecting:

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• DO NOT use Lysol or Febreze. These are NOT safe disinfectants or stench reducers for suits! These products can and will break down the plastics foam and fur are made of (yes, upholstery foam and faux fur are technically plastic), and this damage is irreversible. Suits can even become dangerous to wear from chemical exposure due to these products.

 

• Fursuit specific scent sprays can be found that use a mix of alcohol and essential oils. These are perfectly safe and will disinfect your suit temporarily. They are not a replacement for your 50/50 spray, but are a nice addition to your cleaning arsenal.

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• If you disinfect and your suit still smells, it NEEDS to be washed.

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Washing suits is an area of great debate. Please note that everything I say here applies to MY suits, as I have tested everything here extensively. My word is not law for all suits. Always consult your maker if you are unsure about a cleaning method. My products are to be washed with cold water ONLY, either handwashed or in a machine on the most gentle cycle. Standard detergent is preferred. DO NOT use fabric softener or dryer sheets. Heads and feet must either be spot cleaned or carefully handwashed.

 

• Tails, paws, and sleeves can be washed in a front loader washing machine with the instructions above. If you have a top load washer, tie up any part in a pillowcase or washable laundry bag to protect them from the agitator (you may also choose to do this if you have a front loader). In rare cases, the agitator tower can be removed from the washer, and the washer can still be used. If you have such a machine, remove the tower and treat it the same as a front loader.

 

• If you wish to hand wash your parts, fill your bathtub to a shallow level, mixing in detergent. You can use Woolite instead of normal detergents, but this is not necessary. Hand wash the items as you would any piece of clothing, making sure to wring out the suds thoroughly after every rinse.

 

• Do not hang wet parts! Set them on a fan or drying rack with a fan pointed to them until they are fully dry. If you are absolutely sure that your dryer has a “no heat” setting, it can also be used, but use extreme caution! Never store a damp suit!

 

• For heads and feet, spot cleaning with Folex is the best method. Use the product as instructed on the bottle. Make sure to disinfect these parts very regularly, after every use. They may not necessarily smell the worst, but are the hardest to clean if bacteria is given the chance to settle inside. Disinfectant prevents this.

 

• If you must deep clean your head or feet, you can use a bathtub in a similar way to parts. For feet, simply be aware that they will retain water for far longer and will need to be thoroughly dried. For heads, keep water-sensitive parts such as eyes or fans away from the water. Unplug any electric parts from their power banks and/or remove any batteries before washing. Do not submerge electric components at any time!

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If you have any further questions, feel free to send me a message!