General Care
- Brush your fursuit before and after wearing. A slicker brush is recommended, and it's suggested to brush "backwards" to as to not pull out any fur. Hold the brush handle in a way that makes the brush face downwards, and brush the fur with the grain.
- Wear sweat-wicking athletic wear under your fursuit, like Underarmor! You will want a balaclava to wear under your fursuit head. These items help to keep you cool and are safe against the backing and lining of your fursuit.
- All washing should be done with cold water only. Never put your fursuit in the dryer!
- If your fur gets creased, scraggly, or misshapen, it is safe to use a hairdryer to help straighten the fibers. Point your hairdryer (on a warm setting) towards the fur and blow it in the direction you want the fur to flow. Make sure you keep the hairdryer moving, as holding it directly in one spot may cause damage. Gently brush the area while the fur is still warm to the touch. You may need to go over it a couple of times.
- Folex is safe and excellent for spot cleaning your fursuit!
- You may use scented fursuit spray on your fursuit, but try not to spray it directly onto the eyes on the head.
Head
- Spritz the inside with an isopropyl/water mixture, carefully avoiding the eyes. You may spray inside the mouth.
- For a deep clean, a Bissell Green Machine (or similar) is recommended with a gentle detergent. You do not have to use Woolite! You can use this both inside and outside of the head.
Handpaws
- Handpaws can be washed in the washing machine and air-dried. If your handpaw padding is not charcoal, black, or white in color, please remove the padding and wash separately as some materials may be prone to bleeding. If you're unsure, just ask!
Feetpaws
- If you have indoor feetpaws, you may be able to commission a pair of sandals for them so they don't get so dirty when worn outdoors! You may ask about this at any time.
- If you don't have sandals or you're in a pinch, you may put carpet protector on your feetpaws. It will not harm your paws in any way! Vinyl pawpads may see some residue left over but a quick wipe with Goo Gone will remove it.
- Most feetpaws can be washed in the washing machine and air-dried. If you're unsure, just ask!
Bodysuit
- If your bodysuit has removeable padding, remove the stuffing prior to washing.
- If you can turn your bodysuit inside out, do so! Bodysuits with attached feetpaws may not be able to do this.
- Bodysuits can be washed in the washing machine with cold water only. I strongly recomment putting your bodysuit (and paws/tails!) inside of a garment bag for washing.
- Most detergents work just fine, but avoid any that contain bleach.
- Do not use fabric whitener. Instead, try color safe Oxi Action Vanish for tough stains.
- Air dry your bodysuit. Do not dry bodysuits in the dryer! You may want to point some fans towards your bodysuit.
- Brush your bodysuit every couple hours while it is drying. This is important!
- Do not store your bodysuit until it is completely dry!
- Do not iron your bodysuit!
- You may need to change your stuffing occasionally! It has a tendency to clump up over time. If this bothers you, you may purchase fresh stuffing at most craft stores (or other stores such as Walmart). Look for Polyfil! Please try to recycle your used polyfil if you can!
Tail
- Tails can be washed in the washing machine and air-dried.
- If your tail has removeable padding, you can choose to remove it before washing, but it isn't necessary!
Storage
- Store your fursuit in a ventilated dry place, away from excessive heat.
- Bodysuits can be hung up (preferably unstuffed) on a hanger. Fur may crimp if folded and kept in a box or tote.
- Handpaws, head, tail, and feetpaws can be stored neatly on a shelf. Some people store their handpaws inside of their fursuit head, this works well too!
Travel
- Since just about everything is made of soft parts, fursuits made by Chevypepper can be stuffed into an appropriately sized suitcase, and fursuit heads can be brought along as a carry-on inside of a bag (or even a pillowcase!). Just make sure that your suitcase is within TSA size restrictions!
- Large locking totes are typically not recommended due to theft and broken locks. Use these at your own discretion!