Fleeting Fennec Fursuit Care Guide
Fursuits and fursuit accessories are hand-made items tailored to fit you and your character. In order to ensure long wearability, it is important to know how to take care of it. Permanent damage can be done to your items if not cared for appropriately. This guide will aid you in proper fursuit and fursuit accessory cleaning and care.
Fursuits and fursuit accessories are hand-made items tailored to fit you and your character. In order to ensure long wearability, it is important to know how to take care of it. Permanent damage can be done to your items if not cared for appropriately. This guide will aid you in proper fursuit and fursuit accessory cleaning and care.
What Not To Do:
What To Do:
Cleaning
The suit or accessory should not require extensive cleaning if it is used lightly to occasionally. Disinfectant spray used regularly takes care of any unpleasant odors. You will sweat while wearing certain items. Sweat contains traces of skin oils and water, and odors come from the bacteria growing in the sweat. So it is important to eliminate the growing of bacteria to avoid an odor. Washing is needed after heavy use of the suit or items. The following will help you clean your suit or items properly:
Use a damp, cold cloth to remove dirt or spots that appear on the suit. It is important to pay attention to the grain of the fur; you will wipe or rub the cloth in the direction the fur goes.
Storage
Storing the suit properly is important to preserve the items. Store items in a cool, dry, and dark area. Plastic laundry tubs are ideal to store items, if possible. If not, you may either fold them neatly and put on a shelf or in a drawer, or you may hang them up. Be sure not to bunch them up or store them too tightly. The furs on the items may crinkle.
Minor Repairs
Minor repairs are needed from time to time throughout the normal life of a fursuit. Popped seams and tears are common and can be repaired by yourself or someone who is competent in sewing and stitching. Upholstery thread is recommended for use, as this is the most sturdy thread you can find. It is recommended to use the same color of thread as the suit piece. Sometimes, smaller pieces such as a claw or tooth may fall out. A hot glue gun is recommended to use to re-attach that part.
- DO NOT wash your items with hot water. This may cause shrinkage.
- DO NOT use a washing machine for your head. This can damage the eye paint.
- DO NOT EVER put items into a clothes dryer with heat. The furs will melt; this is irreversible.
- DO NOT store the items wet or damp. This can cause molding to occur.
- DO NOT store the items in direct sunlight. The colors of the fur will fade over time.
- DO NOT attempt to wash your items with bleach or other harsh substances.
- DO NOT use hair dryers to dry your items. The result will be the same as if you put the items in a dryer.
- DO NOT submerge the head! Some elements on the head are not waterproof.
What To Do:
- DO brush your items with a slicker brush. This is a pet brush you can buy at a pet store.
- DO get underarmor to wear underneath armsleeves.
- DO get a balaclava to help keep the inside of a head clean.
- DO use Fleeting Fennec Cleaning products
- DO spray the inside of your head and feet with a 50/50 solution of water and rubbing alcohol to help disinfect the inside after each use.
Cleaning
The suit or accessory should not require extensive cleaning if it is used lightly to occasionally. Disinfectant spray used regularly takes care of any unpleasant odors. You will sweat while wearing certain items. Sweat contains traces of skin oils and water, and odors come from the bacteria growing in the sweat. So it is important to eliminate the growing of bacteria to avoid an odor. Washing is needed after heavy use of the suit or items. The following will help you clean your suit or items properly:
Use a damp, cold cloth to remove dirt or spots that appear on the suit. It is important to pay attention to the grain of the fur; you will wipe or rub the cloth in the direction the fur goes.
- Bodysuits:
- For a bodysuit, you may place the suit in a washing machine. The machine should be set on Delicates and should be washed with cold water only. I recommend using a gentle detergent so the fibers on the suit do not get damaged after multiple washes. After it has been washed, make sure a lot of the moisture has been spun out and then hang up the suit to dry in an open, well ventilated area. Brush the suit while it is hanging up. For digitigrade padding, that can also be washed in the washer with the same settings.
- Handpaws, Tails, and Armsleeves:
- The best method of cleaning is by filling up a tub of cold water and adding a gentle detergent to it. Baby shampoo is often gentle, yet strong enough to clean the suit parts. Use your fingers to work the soap into a lather on the fursuit parts. Rinse and repeat if necessary. Once the item is clean to your liking, be sure to gently squeeze out the item of any water. At this point you can choose to let it hang to dry, either in front of a fan or not, or you can even put it into a washer on a spin cycle to help accelerate the drying process. Brushing the fur carefully can help as well. DO NOT put into a dryer with heat.
- Heads and Feet:
- You can take a damp, cold cloth to rub over problem areas as mentioned before. However, if the fur is especially dirty, you may purchase a fursuit cleaning spray from us! Rinse the fur of the solution by spritzing the head or feet with only water, as to prevent residue buildup. Pat the area dry with a towel and let sit in front of a fan to dry.
Storage
Storing the suit properly is important to preserve the items. Store items in a cool, dry, and dark area. Plastic laundry tubs are ideal to store items, if possible. If not, you may either fold them neatly and put on a shelf or in a drawer, or you may hang them up. Be sure not to bunch them up or store them too tightly. The furs on the items may crinkle.
Minor Repairs
Minor repairs are needed from time to time throughout the normal life of a fursuit. Popped seams and tears are common and can be repaired by yourself or someone who is competent in sewing and stitching. Upholstery thread is recommended for use, as this is the most sturdy thread you can find. It is recommended to use the same color of thread as the suit piece. Sometimes, smaller pieces such as a claw or tooth may fall out. A hot glue gun is recommended to use to re-attach that part.
Final Word
By following this guide, you will be able to enjoy your fursuit or accessory for years of use. Do not forget that these items are hand-made, so it is pertinent to take care of them if you want a longer life from them! These are our characters or fursonas; essentially, a representation of ourselves. So if you neglect care of your items, it reflects who you really are! Enjoy and take care of your suit just as you take care of yourself.
