How to Clean and Maintain a Mascot Costume: A Guide for Schools, Teams & Performers

Mascot costumes get sweaty. Really sweaty.

Between games, school assemblies, community appearances, outdoor events, travel, and hundreds of hugs and high fives, a mascot suit can take a beating.

Proper mascot costume care isn’t just about keeping your character smelling good. Regular cleaning, drying, inspection, and proper storage can help protect an expensive costume, keep it looking professional, and provide a better experience for the performers wearing it.

Whether you’re a mascot performer, spirit squad coach, athletic department, business, or mascot program manager, here’s what you should know.

Rule #1: Follow Your Mascot Manufacturer’s Instructions

Before doing anything else:

Find out who made your mascot costume and read their care instructions.

Mascot costumes are constructed from different combinations of faux fur, foam, fabrics, plastics, adhesives, electronics, padding, and other materials.

A cleaning method that’s perfectly fine for one costume could damage another.

Some fabric pieces may be machine washable, while structured pieces like mascot heads and feet may require completely different care. Manufacturers commonly recommend checking the costume’s specific instructions before washing anything.

When you’re unsure, contact the manufacturer before experimenting.

Your mascot is probably too expensive to learn through trial and error.

What Should You Do After EVERY Mascot Appearance?

You don’t necessarily need to deep-clean the entire costume after every short appearance.

But you should do something.

After an appearance:

Remove all costume pieces from the travel bag
Inspect the costume for damage
Address dirt and stains appropriately
Allow sweaty components to air out
Dry everything completely
Check the head, hands, feet, and body
Brush appropriate fur areas
Store everything correctly

The NFHS specifically advises against storing a damp mascot costume in a bag or locker and recommends allowing components to air-dry before storage.

That brings us to perhaps the most important rule in mascot costume care.

NEVER Leave a Sweaty Mascot in the Bag

The game ends.

You’re exhausted.

You throw everything into the mascot bag.

You zip it up.

And you forget about it until next Saturday.

Don’t do this.

Mascot costumes retain moisture from sweat. Leaving damp costume pieces packed together can contribute to odor and moisture problems.

After performing, get the costume out of its bag and allow it to dry thoroughly.

Use an appropriate well-ventilated area, and consider airflow from fans when suitable for the costume. Air-drying before storage is repeatedly recommended in mascot-care guidance.

Even if you do nothing else:

Get. The. Suit. Out. Of. The. Bag.

How Do You Wash a Mascot Costume?

Here’s where things get complicated.

A mascot isn’t one piece of clothing.

You may have:

Body suit

Head

Hands

Feet

Tail

Jersey

Clothing

Accessories

Each component may require a different cleaning method.

The Body

Some mascot bodysuits and fabric pieces can be washed using cold water, mild detergent, and a gentle cycle.

But don’t assume yours can.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions first.

Mascot Hands

Hands get dirty quickly because they’re constantly touching people and objects.

Depending on their construction, they may be washable separately from the main costume.

Again—check the manufacturer’s instructions.

Mascot Feet

Mascot feet can contain foam, rubber, fabric, fur, or other structural materials.

Don’t simply throw them into a washing machine unless the manufacturer specifically says you can.

Mascot Head

The head deserves special attention.

Mascot heads often contain structural materials that shouldn’t simply be treated like clothing. Minor exterior dirt may be handled with manufacturer-approved spot cleaning, while more extensive cleaning may require specialized instructions or professional service.

When in doubt:

Ask the company that built the head.

Be Extremely Careful With Heat

One of the easiest ways to damage certain mascot materials is improper drying.

High heat can damage synthetic fabrics, fur, foam, adhesives, and structural components.

That’s why air-drying is commonly recommended for mascot costume components.

Don’t assume something can go into a dryer simply because it looks like clothing.

Check the manufacturer’s instructions first.

A little patience is considerably cheaper than a new mascot suit.

Spot Clean Problems Quickly

Your mascot is eventually going to encounter:

Food.

Mud.

Grass.

Sticky gym floors.

Mystery substances you’d rather not identify.

For minor stains, appropriate spot cleaning can help prevent grime from accumulating between deeper cleanings.

Manufacturer guidance may recommend specific stain removers or cleaning products, so make sure whatever you’re using is compatible with the costume material.

And don’t aggressively scrub a delicate costume just because you’re panicking about a stain.

Brush Your Mascot’s Fur

If your mascot has fur, regular brushing can help keep it from becoming matted and tired-looking.

Use a brush appropriate for the costume material and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Brushing can be particularly helpful after cleaning and drying to restore the appearance of faux fur.

This is one of those tiny maintenance habits that can make a surprisingly large visual difference.

Inspect the Costume After Performances

Cleaning isn’t the only part of mascot maintenance.

Look for:

Loose seams
Small tears
Damaged fur
Loose accessories
Problems with vision areas
Damaged shoes or feet
Worn straps
Interior padding problems
Structural damage to the head
Missing costume pieces

A tiny tear today can become a giant tear during Saturday’s basketball game.

The NFHS recommends addressing small tears and loose seams promptly rather than allowing them to become larger problems.

Create a Mascot Repair Kit

Every active mascot program should have a small maintenance kit available.

Depending on your costume and manufacturer’s recommendations, that could include:

Sewing needles
Matching thread
Safety pins
Appropriate fabric patches
Scissors
Approved stain remover
Cleaning cloths
Fur brush
Costume-specific repair materials

Street Characters’ costume instructions even recommend keeping a cleaning and repair log alongside repair supplies.

That’s a great idea for university and professional programs with multiple performers.

Write down:

Date → Problem → Repair → Who fixed it

Now everyone knows what’s happening with the suit.

Know When NOT to Repair Something Yourself

There’s a difference between:

“The seam on the jersey came loose.”

and

“The mascot’s entire face is collapsing.”

Minor repairs may be manageable internally depending on the costume.

Major structural problems should generally go back to the manufacturer or an experienced mascot repair company. Some manufacturers specifically warn that attempting major repairs yourself may affect the costume’s warranty.

When you’re dealing with expensive custom fabrication, sometimes the best DIY technique is:

Don’t.

How Should You Store a Mascot Costume?

Mascot storage matters almost as much as cleaning.

Your costume should generally be stored:

Clean

Completely dry

In a cool environment

Away from direct sunlight

Without crushing structured pieces

Olympus Mascots recommends storing costumes off the floor in a clean room, allowing them to air between performances, avoiding direct sunlight, and positioning the mascot head so its shape isn’t damaged.

In other words:

The mascot travel bag is for traveling.

It shouldn’t necessarily become your mascot’s permanent apartment.

Give Your Mascot Head Its Own Space

Be especially careful when storing the head.

Don’t pile equipment on top of it.

Don’t wedge it underneath a box.

Don’t crush it into an undersized bag for six months.

Store it in a position that doesn’t place unnecessary pressure on its structure.

Your mascot’s head is literally its face.

Treat it accordingly.

Don’t Forget About the Performer

One of the easiest ways to keep a mascot costume cleaner is to improve what happens inside the costume.

Performers should arrive with good personal hygiene and appropriate clean performance clothing.

Depending on the costume and program, performers may use moisture-wicking base layers and change into fresh clothing between sets or appearances.

And if multiple people share a costume, hygiene becomes even more important.

A mascot suit shouldn’t become a communal collection of everybody’s sweat.

Create a Mascot Costume Care Routine

If you’re running a school, university, professional, or company mascot program, don’t leave cleaning up to whoever happens to perform that night.

Create a system.

Before the Appearance

☐ Inspect the costume
☐ Check for damage
☐ Make sure every costume piece is present
☐ Make sure everything is completely dry
☐ Brush/groom appropriate areas
☐ Check visibility and ventilation

After the Appearance

☐ Remove costume from travel bags
☐ Inspect for stains and damage
☐ Follow approved cleaning procedures
☐ Allow everything to dry completely
☐ Brush appropriate fur
☐ Record repairs that are needed
☐ Store properly

Consistency matters more than waiting until someone finally says:

“Why does our mascot smell like that?”

When Should You Professionally Clean a Mascot Costume?

There isn’t one universal schedule.

How frequently your mascot needs professional attention depends on:

How often it’s used
How heavily performers sweat
Indoor vs. outdoor performances
Costume materials
Number of performers
Manufacturer recommendations
Types of appearances
Current condition

If routine cleaning isn’t solving persistent odor, dirt, or other problems—or the costume requires repairs—consider contacting the original manufacturer or a professional mascot cleaning and repair service.

The goal is preventative maintenance rather than waiting until the costume becomes unusable.

Make One Person Responsible for Mascot Maintenance

This may be the most important administrative recommendation in this article.

Someone needs to own the process.

For a small program, that might be the mascot performer and handler.

For a university, it might be the spirit squad coach or mascot captain.

For a professional organization, it could be an entertainment staff member.

For a large program, dedicated costume maintenance staff may make sense. Street Characters similarly recommends assigning cleaning and repair responsibilities based on the size of the mascot program.

If everybody is responsible…

Nobody is responsible.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mascot Costume Cleaning

How often should you clean a mascot costume?

It depends on how frequently the costume is used, how much the performer sweats, the environment, the materials, and the manufacturer’s instructions. At minimum, costumes should be inspected and appropriately aired/dried after use, with regular cleaning based on usage.

Can you put a mascot costume in a washing machine?

Some fabric components may be machine washable, but others are not. Always follow the specific manufacturer’s instructions before machine washing any mascot component.

Can you put a mascot costume in the dryer?

Don’t assume you can. Heat can damage many costume materials, and air-drying is commonly recommended. Follow your manufacturer’s instructions for your specific costume.

How should you clean a mascot head?

Mascot heads frequently contain foam or other structural materials requiring special care. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use approved spot-cleaning or professional cleaning methods when appropriate.

How do you keep a mascot costume from smelling?

The most important habits include appropriate cleaning, completely drying the costume after performances, good performer hygiene, adequate ventilation, and never leaving a sweaty costume sealed in a bag.

Where can I get a mascot costume professionally cleaned or repaired?

Start by contacting the company that manufactured your costume. If they don’t provide the service, look for companies specializing in mascot costume cleaning, refurbishment, and repair.

Need Help With Your Mascot Costume?

Get My Mascot isn’t only about finding mascots.

We’re building resources for the entire mascot community—including performers, schools, universities, businesses, coaches, and mascot programs.

If your mascot needs professional attention, explore the Get My Mascot Manufacturers & Services Directory to find companies that build, repair, and service mascot costumes.

And if you’re responsible for a mascot program and aren’t sure how to develop performers, organize your program, or improve your character, check out Mascot Coaching to connect with experienced current and former mascots.

Take care of your performer.

Take care of your character.

And please…

don’t leave the sweaty mascot zipped inside the bag until next weekend.