Inside a mascot costume, it’s a stuffy and sweaty existence for performers. Naturally, therefore, costumes must be cleaned thoroughly between uses.
Most costumes are designed to be machine washed on a cold, gentle wash with a small amount of detergent. To prevent ripping the fabric, it is worth avoiding machines with agitators. However, not all construction materials can be submerged in water. For example, heads made out of Papier-mâché or fibreglass will disintegrate. Therefore, it is worth contacting the costume provider if you need additional guidance.
To keep the head’s shape intact, handwashing is recommended. For best results, spot and wipe stained areas after every use using a spray with diluted detergent. Ensure inside the neck and mouth are sprayed effectively, as that’s where odour smells linger the most. Be advised that rinsing away the detergent with a shower head will take longer to dry out.
Drying
Drying a mascot costume is essential to keep it looking fresh and smelling clean.
The best way to dry a costume is to hang it up with a fan or a carpet dryer directed at it. Attempting to use a tumble dryer to save time could prove costly. Most costumes are designed with synthetic fur, which may damage when heated.
To avoid the head smelling or turning mouldy, potentially affecting the performer’s health, air dry it thoroughly on a stand where there is a cool breeze or draft.
Maintenance
Taking care of a costume properly is crucial, as no one wants to see a tired-looking mascot at a promotional event.
To maintain a mascot costume efficiently would be to create a checklist of all the mascot’s components. This can help identify any malfunctions before any issues become problematic.
One example of extending a mascot’s life is maintaining its fur. Brushing it regularly; fluffing it up with a soft brush will prevent it from getting matted.
Repairs
Over time, mascot costumes will tire and experience wardrobe malfunctions, causing a performer embarrassment. As a result, repairs will eventually have to be made.
With the correct toolkit, simple repairs of a seam split and worn-out pieces of velcro can be fixed by an amateur. However, complex repairs such as foam tears, torn or frayed fur, damage to the eyes and broken zippers should be left to professional repairers of mascot costumes for better and long-lasting results.
Storing
To keep a mascot costume looking its best and stay smelling clean, it must be stored in the correct environment.
Mascot costumes thrive best covered and hung up in a warm, clean, spacious space. Garages and attics are unsuitable due to their cold and damp conditions, which may cause mould to grow on the costume’s fabric, leading to stains and linger an unpleasant odour.
If there is little space at home or office to keep the mascot costume safe from deterioration, self-storage units could be an affordable solution.
Some storage facilities offer a variety of sizes with climate control units which can help prevent environmental damage to the costume. They are also equipped with twenty-four-hour CCTV surveillance and personal locks, keeping the outfit safe and protected between usage.
