When you’re responsible for the upkeep of your company’s mascot suits, it’s pivotal that they’re kept in pristine condition. But you may be wondering, just how often do mascot suits need to be cleaned? A full professional clean after every wear may seem excessive, and also in many instances not possible. Mascot suits travel with your team, business or company venture, and thus can go through harsh environments before making it back to a professional cleaner. If you’re the person responsible for the cleaning of the mascot suit, consider these cleaning tips to keep the costume in ideal condition.
Two Types of Clean
When you’re considering how often to clean your mascot suits, there are two different types of cleaning methods you can undertake, a professional service and a DIY cleaning. Both are recommended on a regular basis, however they require different steps and have different standards.
Professional Cleaning
A professional mascot suit cleaning is typically undertaken by a mascot company, usually the creators of the suit like our team at Hogtown Mascots. A professional cleaning includes head-to-toe cleaning, plus minor fixes on seams, scratches, loose parts, etc. –  an absolute attention to detail and design structure. Professional cleanings should be scheduled whenever you have the chance, depending on how often the mascot suit is worn, but particularly after heavy use and during off-seasons or when you know the mascot won’t be in use for at least a week or more.
Cleaning Mascot Suits Yourself
After each time your wear a mascot suit, you should give it a good cleaning. Though this can seem like a daunting task, there are a few simple steps you can take to make this as easy as possible. The way you clean your costume will depend on the materials the mascot suit has been made of. Always consult with the manufacturer of the costume if you are unsure if a cleaning method is safe to use.
Head and Feet
The head and feet of the costume can typically be cleaned using a solution of warm water mixed with a spoonful of mild soap, cold water for rinsing, and a wet/dry vacuum to remove the moisture. Gently spray and scrub the areas with the warm water solution first, wiping clean the area with several sprays of cold water afterwards, and vacuum up the damp area; repeat this process as necessary until any marks are gone. Removable fabric covers can be machine washed.
Jumpsuit, Clothing, Gloves, Inner Body
Typically, these remaining items of the mascot can be put into a front-loading washing machine on a delicate cycle or washed by hand. If there is inner tubing in the item, this will need to be removed prior to washing and replaced after the piece is clean. If you’re unsure about whether or not the fabric has been dyed in manufacturing, make sure you wash all items separately to avoid colour bleeding. Always wash in COLD water and HANG to dry. Finally, remember not to store your mascot until it is completely dry.
To learn more about mascot cleaning, or to set up an appointment to have your mascot suit professionally cleaned, contact us today!