Will never admit this on any of my more popular platforms, but I love using carpet cleaner formula on my fursuit (okay normal take right? Wrong)
I use the pet odor removal variety, and that shit eats through sweat and general grime on suits.
People’s next question probably is, why? My answer (not to get too nerdy with it) is that the most pet odor removal products contain:
Protease - Breaks down proteins.
Amylase - Breaks down starches.
Lipase - Breaks down fats.
Most stains, contain one of these 3 micronutrients. From sweat, grease, and even wine! These specific types of pet odor products remove almost anything you can encounter with a fursuit.
Plus, unlike other cleaning products, such as tide pods or bleach. There is little to no reaction with most Faux Furs! (Ive only had one bad interaction, and it was with literal Walmart faux fur, so I’m not surprised the dye had a little bit of runoff)
The only things it can not remove is Prolonged Dirt/Ground stains and Plastic based Dyes and Paints. But there are more specific, specialized products for removing those types of stains.
https://fursuitersworld.weebly.com/fursuit-washing-and-care.html go here for more in-depth info on fursuit cleaning
General basics:
It's very important to keep your suit brushed! Using short fur will minimize the need for frequent brushing but lets assume your mane and tail will have long pile fur and will definitely need a brushing. (plus people WILL hound you about an unkempt suit..). Video above talks about using a slicker bush if you use this brush use it in the opposite orientation. Some people also suggest online a tangle teezer since it is gentle on fur.
Avoid mud and dirty areas if you can help it: But knowing I myself go to park meetups with furry friends. had me take a different approach adding PVC fabric to the hoof feet.
Avoid food and drink spillage on your suit
Don't store your suit in hot areas. Heat damage is very hard to fix.
Also Underarmor shirt and pants is recommended: Or anything that wicks away sweat is good!
Cleaning:
Spot Cleaning: There's a few recommended cleaners to use but yeah be careful about mixing your own solutions. Folex is a great cleaner, also dawn dish soap, and also very common cleaner is rubbing alcohol (its great for eliminating sweat odors. you might want to dilute it but some sources say that is optional most stores sell it at 70% solution)
Washing using your everyday washing machine: IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO USE COLD WATER ON DELICATE (yes I did caps on purpose here because I can't emphasize this enough). Woolite is always best since its basically a wearable carpet.
The bathtub method: If you are worried your washing machine might beat up your fursuit too much and there's fragile parts sewn in the body you can also try the bathtub. Also same thing use cold water and possibly use woolite in the tub. Similar to the spot cleaning method you can use your hands to scrub in the cleaner or a gentle scrub brush. Also note it will get VERY HEAVY. If your suit is digitgrade and you can remove the pillows you should.
Drying:
DON'T PUT IT IN THE DRYER: This should go without saying but if you live with your mom and she tosses your suit in the dryer it will be VERY bad for your suit. I have heard horror stories of this happening and I don't even trust the no heat tumble dry setting...
Hang dry with a fan blowing on it: It should take about 24 hours maybe less to dry the suit by hang drying with a fan or box fan. And then brush after its dry.
Fursuit Repair: Always a good idea to keep this repair kit with you at cons.
Sewing needle and thread: good for closing up most holes or tares and rips in seems on the suit.
Glue Gun: Good for patching up the tail if the belt loops come apart and/or if there's parts that aren't easily repaired sewing needles.
Happy #FursuitFriday, everybody! In this week's video, I'm reviewing the Bissell Little Green, and doing a #fursuit cleaning with it! Have a great weekend!
If forgot to post these pics! After the photo shoot we did in the woods/marsh with Ralsei I decided that he needed a bath. And not just his cloak, like all of him. Main reasons why, it was over 80°F that day and I was very sweaty while wearing him and also ticks (I ain't trying to get any new illnesses). His cloak, tail, scarf, and hand paws are all safe to go into the washing machine but I had to hand wash his feet and head.
Problem, EVA foam floats so his feet wouldn't skin in the water. But eventually I got them to along with his head.
After his head and feet were clean, I brought them outside so the extra water could drip off without making a big mess inside. And then I put them under some fans to finish drying them. Dinkles and Wheatley kept Ralsei company the whole time (they really like my costumes for some reason).
Bad news, Ralsei lost a horn and a tooth cuz I under estimated how heavy his wet head was gona be. Good news, everything else came out of the wash looking good. I alway air dry my costumes so the fabric holds up longer and you should never put fur or swirl minky in the dryer.
I probably won't wash him after every photo shoot but it was over 8 months since I finished making him and I did wear him a fair amount of times before this. Also I was worried about ticks living in his head, I did find a few crawling around in his tub when I got home.
I did make a spray out of rubbing alcohol for future quick cleaning of the inside of his head and paws. Also always be sure to wash your costumes in cold water and, preferably, with gentle/sulfate free detergent.
