In order to get the most out of your new suit (or suit pieces), you'll need to take good care of it. You should treat your suit like an expensive piece of clothing and remember to practice common sense. Over the course of your suit's life, it will experience some normal wear and tear, but you can take easy, preventitive steps in order to keep it looking like new.

Maintenance

In order to maintain a clean, well-kempt suit, you should acquire the following items and always keep them handy, especially at conventions: a pocket comb or dog slicker, some form of antibacterial spray/disinfectant, dryer sheets, and a spot cleaner. You may also want to consider a "fursuit emergency kit," which includes needle and thread, markers, and perhaps a small glue gun and glue sticks.

Always spot-clean your suit after each use and brush out the fur thoroughly. Extended use or handing will result in the fur getting "matty;" this is normal. The solution is to brush out the fur to restore that sleeker, softer look. Remember to spray the interior of your fursuit head after each use (and after you are sure you are done suitting for the day) with a preferred antibacterial spray*. Never spray the interior right before suitting, as the inside will remain moist and the smell may aggravate your nose and eyes. You may also want to first dab some of the spray on your arm or leg to make sure you do not have an allergic reaction. After spraying down the interior of the head, be sure to turn it upside down to increase the air flow and ventilation, which will help it dry faster. You should also spray the interior of your feetpaws to make sure they stay fresh and clean.

*Popular antibacterial sprays and disinifectants used for fursuits include the following: EnBac (an industrial, janitorial sanitizer that is often used in hospitals and can only be ordered online), Great Value brand Antibacterial Spray Disinfectant (which is the equivalent of EnBac, yet it is available at Wal-Mart for a much cheaper price), and FeBreeze Antimicrobial/Antibacterial spray.

Cleaning

Cleaning bodysuits and polyfil tails (items that have no glue, only stitching): These items may be washed in the washing machine using cold water on a gentle cycle. Always be sure to turn the item inside out first, especially if your piece has airbrushed details (airbrushing will inevitably fade over time, but this step helps prevent it from happening sooner rather than later). Polyfil tails may be unstuffed, turned inside out, and then washed, though this is not always necessary. Do NOT put these items into a dryer. While some dryers can be set to cold/air fluff/no heat, there is a chance some heat may still be emitted, in which case you run the risk of the fur matting (which is irreversable). Instead, a safer alternative would be to hang-dry your piece in front of a fan. Be sure the piece is not "dripping wet" when it is hung to avoid any stretching that may occur due to the weight of the water pulling the suit down. Gentle ringing of non-airbrushed areas prior to hanging the piece will help, or gentle towel-drying.

Cleaning heads, hands, feet, and foam/wire-based tails (items that have been glued in certain areas): These items must never be submerged in water and should instead be spot-cleaned and sprayed with disinfectant after each use (except for tails). A popular cleaner used by both fursuit makers and fursuitters is "Teddy Bear Cleaner," which is available for purchase at www.crscraft.com. Mild or gentle soaps may also be used. Towel-dry any wet areas after washing and be sure to allow ample air ventilation for pieces that require additional drying. NEVER place these items in a dryer.

Storing

When storing a fursuit (or pieces), it is best to chose a large storage bin or other sturdy, water-proof container. Rubbermaid makes a variety of bins in varying sizes at affordable prices, so pick up something that's within your range and fits your needs. Air-tight lids work best at preventing water, insects, and pets from finding your suit. The location in which the container is stored should be cool and dry. Basements and attics are not recommended, but if there are no other options, the cooler choice would be best. Placing a dryer sheet inside of the head, feet, and hands will help remove any moisture that may form, as well as keep these pieces smelling fresh.

Traveling

Do not force your pieces to fit inside of luggage or travel bins. Heads should be treated with care and not "mushed" or flattened to try and fit into a smaller container. Buy containers that are of an appropriate size for both airline traveling and for fitting all of your pieces comfortably. You should follow the same rules and guidelines for "storing your pieces" when you travel. Be sure to thoroughly label any boxes/cases that are traveling with you, just in case they are lost in transit. Include your name, address, and telephone number clearly written on protected tags and labels. Remember to secure all of your pieces in a manner that can withstand your traveling container being tossed around and handled roughly (perhaps use a towel or blanket to act as "padding" in case things get bumpy).