Fursuit Cleaning
How to Hand Wash a Fursuit Head:
Washing a fursuit head can be an intimidating task, and while they don't have to be washed as often as the rest of the fursuit it is still good to do every year or so (depending on how often you suit). Note that every suit is different and may have parts that can't get wet, so please contact your suit maker to ask them about washing instructions to be sure there aren't any water-sensitive parts on the mask such as airbrushing or eye mesh!
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Video Tutorial (foam base heads)
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Discussion:
"What kinds of detergent are safe for use on fursuits?"
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Gentle detergents are usually safe on fursuits, the most trusted name brand that most suiters use is Woolite Gentle Detergent.. but most brands of gentle detergents will work fine. There are also shampoos that are specifically made for use on fursuits. You can buy your own fursuit shampoo in our Fursuit Care Collection, just click the SHOP tab above!
"Can fursuit heads be washed in the washing machine?"
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Some fursuit heads can be washed in the washing machine depending on what fursuit maker created it. Please ask your maker before attempting this if your fursuit head is washing machine friendly.
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How to Spot Clean a Fursuit:
Accidents happen! There will be moments when you get a little gunk on your suit.. and that is OK! You can get it off, just remember that the sooner you act the better!
If you get a stain on your suit but it isn't dirty enough to be washed completely, spot cleaning is a great solution! There are a few products used to help fight stains that happen to find their way on your furry friend. We will list these products and how to use them below! They will go from most gentle to most harsh in its chemical component. Remember! The more gentle cleaners are safer but tend to struggle with getting harder stains out. The sooner you clean a new stain the easier it'll be to remove it.
1. Peroxide
Peroxide is known for its brown bottle and its use in first aid, but it can also be effective in removing stains from fabric! It can break down and remove blood completely if used immediately and can work on a few other stain types as well. You can spray the peroxide on your stain directly or dab it over your stain by putting it on a washcloth first. Once its on your stain take a washcloth and work it into the fabric gently. This substance doesn't get sudsy so you only have to to this for about 30 seconds. You can do this a few times if it doesn't get the stain out all the way in one go. Once your done rinse the peroxide out thoroughly using a new, clean damp washcloth.
2. Grandma's Secret Spot Remover
This is a product that can easily be found in stores and online, and it is affordable! It is a soap-like product that is used to remove stains from fabric and it is gentle on faux fur as well. To use, squeeze an appropriate amount of the product onto your stain and work it into your fursuit. Let it sit in the fur for a few minutes (1-5 minutes depending on the harshness of the stain) and then rinse out the product thoroughly with a clean, damp washcloth.
Purchase product here!
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3. Gentle Detergent/Fursuit Shampoo
If your struggling with your stain but still don't want to wash your entire suit, you can still use the detergent you usually use in order to spot clean! Using your suit's shampoo/detergent for spot cleaning is a little more time consuming because it takes longer to rinse out, but it is effective none-the-less. To use, wet the stain and fur around it, then put some of your cleaning product on your hands or on a cloth and work it into your fursuit. Scrub it gently to make sure it gets into the fibers. Gently work your product into your suit for 30 seconds to a minute, then rinse thoroughly using a clean, damp washcloth. You will likely have to rinse 3 times or more in order to get all the detergent out. You can repeat this process until the stain lightens or is gone completely.
4. Folex
Folex is a strong cleaning product that is made to get stains out of carpets and rugs, because of this it is effective in removing stains in fursuits but it can also be harsher on the faux fur that your costume is made out of. This is why it is typically used as a last resort and it is best to not resort to using Folex every time you get a stain/wash your suit. If none of the above options work though then Folex is the way to go for extreme stains. Before use, make sure the spot where the stain is is brushed out. Then take your Folex bottle and make sure it is on spray mode (not stream). Get the spray head close to the stain and spray. Use sparingly, don't drown the stain! Let the product sit for about 30 seconds, then use a clean paper towel and wipe the stain with the grain of the fur. Make sure you are GENTLE and don't scrub the stain. Repeat this process until the stain is removed. Take a new, clean paper towel and wet it with cold water and then apply it to the area you just spot cleaned in order to rinse the Folex out. BE SURE to get all of the Folex out, if it is left in the fur it will remove all of the fur that the Folex has touched and will reveal the backing of the fabric.
Purchase product here!
How to Wash Suit Parts
Washing fursuit parts can be intimidating, but with enough care and caution it is an easy and effective process! Here is a step by step look into how to do so:
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MACHINE WASHING:
1. Take your fursuit parts and place them in a pillow case, then secure it by tying it up or by closing it with a rubber band.
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2. Place the parts in the washing machine and make sure your machine is on the COLD WATER setting and is on the DELICATE cycle. You do not want any heat to come into contact with your suit during the cleaning process as this will ruin the fur fibers, so COLD water only!
3. Let your washer run on the cold, delicate setting. When it is done, take the parts out of the pillow cases and brush them out.
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MACHINE DRYING
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1. Before placing your suit parts in the dryer, make sure they are brushed out.
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2. Place your parts in the dryer along with one dryer sheet.
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3. Ensure your dryer is on the NO HEAT/ AIR FLUFF SETTING. This will dry your suit using cold air. Remember, you do not want your suit to get any heat on it!
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4. Run your parts in your dryer on the NO HEAT setting until they are dry, this may tale 2 to 3 cycles. Make sure you brush your suit parts every hour or so to ensure they stay fluffy.
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HAND WASHING
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1. Fill up a bathtub with room temperature water and place your parts in the tub. Take your favorite suit shampoo or laundry detergent and rub it into your fursuit parts. Remember to be gentle with the fur fibers as you clean!
2. Drain your tub and begin to rinse the detergent and leftover dirt from your suit parts. You may have to do this 2 or 3 times to get all of the soap out.
3. Once rinsed, squeeze out as much of the water out as your can and then brush your parts.
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AIR DRYING
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To air dry your suit parts, brush them out when they come out of the washer. Then place them in front of a box fan to dry, brush them out as they dry to ensure the fur stays fluffy. They may take a few days to air dry all the way.