Mascot Costume Care & Maintenance
Your mascot costume is built to last 5 to 7 years with proper care. This guide covers everything your team needs to know to keep it clean, fresh, and game-day ready.
The Single Most Important Rule
Never store the costume while it is still damp from sweat. This is the fastest way to ruin it.
Moisture causes odor, mildew, fabric breakdown, and foam deterioration. Everything in this guide works together to prevent that.
After Every Use
Daily Care
The single biggest thing you can do to keep the costume hygienic and fresh is to air it out properly after every wear.
Body Suit
- 1. Hang on a wide padded hanger in a well-ventilated room for at least 4 to 6 hours, longer if possible
- 2. Point a fan at the inside of the suit to speed up drying
- 3. Light disinfectant spray on the interior (see products below)
Head
- 1. Place on a stand or upturned bucket so air circulates inside
- 2. Point a fan directly into the head opening
- 3. Wipe down chin strap, forehead band, and all padding with disinfecting wipes
Pro Tip: What the Performer Wears Matters
We strongly recommend the performer wears a moisture-wicking base layer, a balaclava or skull cap under the head, and cotton gloves under the paws or hands. This single habit will extend the life of your costume by years and reduce cleaning needs significantly. Avoid cotton base layers, which trap heat and moisture.
Cleaning Products
Disinfectant Sprays
Disinfectant sprays are safe and recommended for regular maintenance. Here is what to use, how to apply it, and what to avoid.
Recommended Products
- ✓ Lysol Disinfectant Spray — the fabric-safe formulation, not the hard surface version
- ✓ Febreze Antimicrobial or Febreze Fabric Refresher
- ✓ Performer's Choice or similar theatrical costume sprays
- ★ Vodka + Water Mix — 1 part cheap vodka to 1 part distilled water in a spray bottle. This is the industry standard in professional theater for sanitizing costumes between performances. It kills bacteria, neutralizes odor, and evaporates clean without residue.
Never Use
- ✗ Bleach or bleach-based products (discolors fur, damages foam)
- ✗ Strong solvents of any kind
- ✗ Heavy perfumes or scented products (transfers to next performer)
How to Apply
Spray lightly from 6 to 8 inches away
Focus on inside of head (chin strap, forehead), underarms, and body suit interior
Do not soak the fabric. A light mist is enough.
Always let the costume fully dry before storing, ideally with a fan running
Spot Cleaning
Specialized Wipes
Disinfecting wipes are ideal for spot cleaning the high-contact areas of the head after every use.
Inside the Head (Chin Strap, Forehead, Padding)
Clorox Disinfecting Wipes or Lysol Disinfecting Wipes. Wipe down after every single use. This is where the most sweat and bacteria collect.
Eyes and Mouth Area (Exterior)
Baby wipes or makeup remover wipes for areas where makeup or food residue can accumulate. For the mesh vision panels, use only a damp microfiber cloth with no chemicals. The mesh is delicate and can stretch or tear if treated roughly.
Exterior Fur
Microfiber cloths with a small amount of mild soap and water for gentle cleaning. Dab gently, never scrub.
Critical Warning
About Professional Dry Cleaning
We want to be very direct about this.
Standard dry cleaning is not recommended for mascot costumes.
The chemicals used in commercial dry cleaning will damage the fur fibers, dissolve the adhesives that hold parts of the head together, and can break down the foam structure.
The head should never be dry cleaned. Period. There are no exceptions.
If You Use a Specialty Cleaner for the Body Suit
The body suit can sometimes be cleaned by a specialty costume or theatrical cleaner, but only by someone who has experience with mascot or character costumes specifically. Before handing over the costume, ask them directly:
- ? "Do you have experience with foam and fur character costumes?"
- ? "What solvents do you use, and have you cleaned mascot suits before?"
- ? "Can you guarantee the colors will not bleed or fade?"
If they hesitate or sound unsure, do not give them the costume. A bad cleaning job can ruin a costume that would otherwise last 5 to 7 years.
When Wipes Are Not Enough
Deep Cleaning
When the body suit eventually needs more than a wipe down, follow this process carefully.
B Body Suit
- 1 Spot clean stains with a damp cloth, mild soap, and gentle dabbing motions. Never scrub.
- 2 For a full freshen up, fill a tub with cool water and a small amount of mild detergent (Woolite or similar). Gently submerge sections and swish around.
- 3 Rinse with cool water. Squeeze gently to remove water. Never wring or twist.
- 4 Lay flat or hang to dry with a fan blowing on it. Never use a dryer.
H Head
- Never submerge the head in water. Water damages the foam structure and adhesives permanently.
- Wipe down exterior fur with a barely damp cloth and let air dry
- Clean interior padding with disinfectant wipes
- Replace removable foam padding or chin straps if they become permanently stained or damaged
Between Uses
Storage
How you store the costume between events matters as much as how you clean it.
Do
- ✓ Keep head on a stand or upright on a shelf
- ✓ Hang body on a wide padded hanger
- ✓ Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space
- ✓ Use a breathable garment bag for dust protection
Don't
- ✗ Stack anything on top of the head
- ✗ Use wire hangers (distort the shape)
- ✗ Store in sealed plastic bags
- ✗ Keep in attics, basements, or humid areas
- ✗ Expose to direct sunlight (fades the fur)
At a Glance
Quick Reference Schedule
Long-Term Care
Replacement Parts & Repairs
Even with perfect care, some components wear out. Plan to replace these items on a regular cycle.
1-2
Seasons
Gloves and feet covers. These take the most abuse and wear out first.
2-3
Years
Interior padding, chin straps, and sweat-absorbing inserts inside the head.
3-5
Years
Re-foaming the head, refreshing airbrushing, or replacing worn fabric sections.
We coordinate repairs through our builder partners. Most repairs take 2 to 4 weeks. Contact us if your costume needs attention.
Need Help With Your Costume?
Whether you need replacement parts, repair coordination, or a brand new mascot costume, we are here to help.