After a full day of wearing your cosplay at a convention, meet up or photoshoot, it can leave things pretty dirty and smelly. Just like your regular clothes, sweat, dirt and other debris can build up on your costume. However, the process to remedy this isn’t the same. So if you’re asking, how do I wash my cosplay, I have the answers for you. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know for maintaining and cleaning costumes.
Can I Put Cosplays in the Washing Machine
The answer for this will heavily vary. Whether a cosplay can be put in the washing machine depends entirely on the material it’s made from. For fabric based costumes, consult the tag for purchased cosplays and assess the fabric you used if you made it. EVA foam, Worbla and 3D printed cosplay pieces cannot be put in the washing machine.
Can I Wash a Costume on Delicate
For some of your more gentle fabrics or store bought costumes, delicate may be your best bet. Always check the tag or research the material you used to determine if it has additional needs for washing such as specific modes, water temperature and more.
Can I Put a Costume in the Dryer
The dryer can be very harsh on your costumes. I often avoid the dryer and hang up my cosplays to dry. For more delicate costumes, skip the dryer. You can also consult the tag of the costume to see if it’s safe for the dryer. It may be possible to put it in on a light tumble with low heat.
How to Hand Wash a Cosplay
Hand washing your fabric costumes is the safest way to clean your cosplay. The steps for this are very easy:
- Step 1. Prepare the bath – In a bath tub, large bin or bucket, prepare a solution of warm water and gentle liquid detergent.
- Step 2. Soak the costume – Fully submerge your costume in the solution for 5-10 minutes or longer if the cosplay is heavily soiled.
- Step 3. Rinse the costume – In either a drained tub or shower, rinse the costume thoroughly with clean, cool water.
- Step 4. Dry the costume – Gently squeeze out excess water. Then hang the item to air dry. Don’t wring out the costume to dry it.
How Do You Wash Cosplays Made From Fabric
Always consult the costume tag or research the fabric you used before choosing which way to wash your costumes made from fabric.
- Hand washing – For fragile fabrics and costumes, hand washing is the best way to go. This is also good for Renaissance faire costumes with boning.
- Spot cleaning – If your costume isn’t that dirty or absolutely can’t be washed by machine or hand, spot cleaning can be a good substitute. Simply use a damp cloth and delicate detergent or fabric spray to spot clean the dirty areas.
- Washing machine – For less fragile costumes and fabrics, you can use a washing machine. You may need to put it on delicate settings and skip the dryer, but some costumes definitely can be cleaned in the washing machine.
- Dry cleaning – If the tag says dry clean only, then your best bet is taking the costume to a dry cleaner and letting the professional handle it.
- Vodka disinfectant – You can make a solution of vodka and water to disinfect your costume. Then you simply lightly mist your cosplay with it and let it air dry.
How Do You Wash Cosplays With EVA Foam, Worbla or Filament
Any costumes made from EVA foam, Worbla and filament needs to be cleaned differently than fabrics.
- Spot cleaning – Simply use a damp cloth and delicate detergent or fabric spray to spot clean the dirty areas. Be sure to thoroughly dry the area after cleaning.
- Disinfectant – Disinfectant sprays can be used on foam, Worbla or 3D printed costumes to prevent smells and germs.
- Vodka disinfectant – Similar to disinfectant spray, you can make a solution of vodka and water to disinfect your costume. Then let your costume air dry.
Can You Machine Wash EVA Foam, Worbla or Filament
EVA foam, Worbla and filament can’t be soaked in water or heated up too much. Thus a washing machine isn’t a viable way to clean them. Otherwise paints can be washed off, shape could be lost or the costume itself destroyed.
How to Wash a Costume That Says “Do Not Wash”
You may notice the tag in your costume says “do not wash.” In these situations, you need to skip the washing machine and try these methods to keep your cosplays tidy:
- Spot cleaning – If your costume isn’t that dirty or absolutely can’t be washed by machine or hand, spot cleaning can be a good substitute. Simply use a damp cloth and delicate detergent or fabric spray to spot clean the dirty areas.
- Vodka disinfectant – You can make a solution of vodka and water to disinfect your costume. Then you simply lightly mist your costume with it and let it air dry.
- Disinfectant – Disinfectant sprays can be used on costumes to prevent smells and germs.
How to Clean a Cosplay Without Washing
The key ways to clean your cosplays without washing it by machine or hand is spot cleaning or disinfectant sprays. These are gentle on your costumes so they won’t be destroyed while still preventing smells and bacteria.
How to Get Sweat Smell Out of Cosplays
Cons can leave your costumes sweaty and smelly. To get the scent out, try any of the following tips for machine or hand washing:
- Fabric fresheners
- Proper washing
- Fabric deodorizer
- Baking soda
- Vinegar
- Vodka disinfectant solution
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