When to Wash:

-Disinfecting suits is highly recommended after outdoor events.

-Suits and parts should not have to be cleaned often, usually only after big events, conventions, or major outdoor activities. This is to minimize fur loss and bald spots. Wash only when the suit smells, or is entirely dirty. Otherwise, use disinfectant or spot wash specific areas.

-Cleaning a suit is a full day process, be prepared to check on suit parts regularly. 

-Wash with cold water, do not use hot water. When using fans to dry the suit, they must blow cold air. This is to prevent the melting of the synthetic plastic fibers of the fur.

 

Disinfecting/Spot Treatment:

-Disinfecting should be done often. It is more important to disinfect the inside than the outside of the fursuit part. If you disinfect the outside, proceed to brush the item. Homemade fursuit spray can be made by filling a spray bottle with half rubbing alcohol and half water. Add 20-30 drops of an essential oil of your choosing. Do not add eucalyptus oil, as this oil is too strong and will eat away at your fur. 

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Spot Treatment:

-Take a damp, soapy washcloth and scrub the dirty area until the spot is gone.

-Do not use bleach or other chemicals, as they will eat away at your fur.

-White fur can be washed with a bottlecap of bleach mixed with ¼ cup of water. However, this is not recommended, and we are not responsible for any discoloration or damage to the fur.

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Washing the Head:

-Heads should never be fully submerged in water. Place the head on a chair, stool, tripod, or other objects that are able to fit in a bathtub, and allow for water to drip downwards.

-Place a dry washcloth or dry balled paper towel over the eyes. Do not press hard, gently insert them and make sure they are securely placed.

-A bathtub with a shower attachment is recommended. Take the showerhead, if available, and rinse your head, avoiding direct contact with the eyes. If you do not have a showerhead, you can use a washcloth and cup. Fill the cup with water, make sure the washcloth is soapy, and follow the same instructions.

-Once the head is wet, take fursuit soap (can be found at conventions) or a regular soap bar, and lather head. Avoid chemicals and sprays, as this will ruin the fur.

-When the head is fully lathered, use the showerhead to rinse. When fully rinsed, ring out the neck area and squeeze the head with a dry towel. At this point, the head should be damp and no longer be dripping water.

-Take a fursuit brush, or any brush, and gently brush by following the direction of the fur. The fur always goes in the direction leading away from the nose.

-For drying, you can keep the head in the bathtub, or move it to a different drying area on the object chosen to be used as a drying rack. While the head is air drying, periodically check (once per hour is recommended), and gently brush the fur. Brushing during the drying process prevents the fur from becoming coarse and wrinkled. Do not brush hard, lightly glide the brush across the surface of the fur to maintain the fur's direction. In areas with thicker/longer fur (such as the back of the head), a bit more pressure can be applied to detangle the fur.

-To speed up the drying process, fans can be placed around the head. They can blow in any direction, but blowing in the direction of the fur is best.

- Be patient. Pat the inside of the head to make sure it's dry, and run your fingers through the long fur to make sure there are no wet spots.

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Washing the Suit

-Brush the suit to make sure there are no twigs, grass, or anything else attached to the suit.

-Unzip the suit and turn it inside out. Re-zip the suit while it is still inside out, and place it in the washing machine.

-Set your machine to a delicate cycle setting and set the water temperature to cold. hot water can melt the synthetic fur fibres irreversibly. Add regular washing machine detergent. 

-Once the cycle is complete, remove the suit to dry. Do not hang it, as this will stretch your suit from the weight of the water. Place your suit flatly on a drying rack, or along the tops of chairs, to air dry. Brush in the direction of the fur until the fur is detangled.

-While the suit is air drying, periodically check (every hour or so) and gently brush the fur. Suits with longer fur are very likely to lose fur during this process.

-To speed up the drying process, place fans around the suit. They can blow in any direction, but blowing in the direction of the fur is best.

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Washing the Paws:

-Place the paws in a meshed laundry bag, or pillowcase, and place it in the washing machine. The same washing instructions as suits apply.

-Remove the paws from the bag and place them on a drying rack. Paws can be hung to dry, as they do not weigh as much as a bodysuit.

-While the paws are air drying, periodically check (every hour or so) and gently brush, following the direction of the fur.

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Washing the Feet:

-Indoor paws can follow the same instructions as paws.

-Outdoor paws may also follow the same instructions as paws, but outdoor paws with shoes must be hand washed.

-Take the outdoor feet paws and place them in a bathtub. Soak the fur with a washcloth. Avoid getting the inside of the shoe wet. When the fur is soaked, proceed to lather with soap. Rinse, and proceed to air dry in the same manner as all other parts.

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Washing the Tail:

-If the tail has a zipper, remove the poly-fil and turn the tail inside out. if the tail does not turn inside out due to sizing you can keep it flipped outward (we recommend putting it in a pillow case should this be the case). Re-zip the tail while it is still inside out, and place it in the washing machine, following the same instructions as other parts.

-If the tail does not have a zipper, the poly-fil cannot be removed. Wash as following the same instructions as others parts.

-For smaller tails, place them in a meshed laundry bag or a pillowcase. If the tail does not fit in a bag it will be okay, just keep an eye on it.