Seems like it'd be bad for the fur...

Not really. It's just like washing the suit actually.

that surprises me. i'd have thoguht it would lose softness and colour quicker. really fun photo by the way.

Not necessarily. I've had my suit for.. two, almost three years now and I wash her EVERY TIME I wear her, even if it's just romping around the house for a bit. (Don't want her to stink like some of the others I've met..)

Washing them keeps them clean and keeps the fur FROM losing color and softness, especially if you wash it with good fabric softener.

i'm a bit confused. do you wash it in a swimming pool?

No, I was her in a washing machine. Same concept, if you've ever read what's in laundry detergent.

i was only confused as i didn't feel i made the suggestion that an unwashed, sweat soaked and bacteria/fungus riddled suit was preferable to washing. to clarify, my initial response was in regards to swimming being comparable to washing in terms of it's affects on a suit, which i found mildly surprising. i have no intention of arguing with the original poster, but to explain my initial reasoning and further respond to your comments; i suppose washing and pool water probably aren't a million miles apart, but aside from pool water probably not really cleaning the suit, clothing dried after being in a pool does seem to have different results to clothing that has been washed (bit stiff, smelling of chlorine etc, and one white t-shirt i had seemed to become more yellowish over time). i don't specifically know how much of an effect it would have either long-term or short-term, due to minimal research of such fields, but the combination of faux fur, chlorinated pool water and sunlight don't strike me as one made in heaven, so i could see it causing fabrics to degrade faster than they might otherwise. i suppose there could be considerations taken to minimise any possible effects (if they are severe enough to consider), but i didn't have much intention of expanding the subject. personally, i think i'd rather keep my suit out of a pool.

I take your thoughts and research into consideration, but I really don't think that ONE time in the pool is going to hurt the suit as badly as you think.

I mean, I'm right there with you in the effect of "I'd rather not have my suit in a pool," but I still stand by the statement of.. water is water, and chlorine may kill anything nasty growing on its wearer. XD And keep it from transferring to the actual fabric of the suit and making the suit permanently stinky or gross. (Sorry, I'm really against lack of personal hygiene, especially in a fursuit. Fabric latches onto smells and doesn't ever let go, so if you're in a fursuit for three days solid and don't shower, then it REALLY shows. Er, smells.. And it's just really gross in general.)

i don't understand why you are seemingly trying to argue with things i have not said.

I'm not arguing them. o_o I'm simply stating my opinion, as have you.

i shall remain confused then XD
oh well. i will still try to respond anyway. i didn't intend to suggest that one dip in a pool was going to cause considerable damage, so much that i could see it causing undesirable changes to it's properties. i would suspect the changes to be rather minimal, dependant on the levels of chemicals. i might even consider it a little bit like hair, where chlorine is considered damaging, but a few dips in the pool are not going to cause it to disintegrate. things like immediate washing afterwards may also help, or atleast be preferable to letting the solutions dry in the sun. i suppose a dip in chlorinated water is preferable to nothing at all, but it's not really going to eliminate all the dirt and grime within the fur or backing. i suppose water is water, but the different chemicals and compounds within it might make all the difference. i only have one partial suit, which i have never really made use of and so have not yet washed. i do think i'd be a bit afraid of washing a suit though (especially a nice one), so i think i would opt for hand washing and stick to spot treatments for thick, foam filled parts such as the head. but i am sure washing is important for the quality of the suit, since i doubt sweat, bacteria etc aren't much good either... as well as it being basic hygiene. i've not been to a con, but i have heard tales of a few smelly suits that people dread.

"i do think i'd be a bit afraid of washing a suit though"

Nah, the washer does a better job than hands. Even the shitty washers do a good job. XD They're not as bad as you'd think they would be on a suit. Suits, if made well, can easily withstand anything a machine washer can give them. Like a good washing.

But yeah, I wouldn't throw the head in there. Just the fabric pieces like arms and body suit. (Or, if your suit is like mine, you can pull the fur off of the foam base of the feet and wash that too.)

"i've not been to a con, but i have heard tales of a few smelly suits that people dread."

There are SEVERAL that smell horrible. All because people see to lack a grasp on basic personal hygiene and washing their suits.
(I really don't understand how people don't smell themselves or their suits. It STINKS.)

i am sure the washing machine probably is more thorough. but i think i'd be a bit nervous of a machine, especially if it's a top loader with agitator. i guess i wont really know for sure til i start doing it. but i think i will aim for hand washing and only change if i find it to be inadequate.

yeah, it's rather hard to speak for those that make little to no efforts and are oblivious to the smell. i suppose there are probably some people who just genuinely have a problem, but i rather doubt that is the case for most.

Well, if it makes you feel any better, I paid $1300 for my suit, and it has lasted me almost three years of washing it in a machine washer, with and without an agitator. I've never had to make a repair on her, or redone any of the stitching. She has held up perfectly!

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/4421228/
(Mine is the one on the LEFT.)

it is definitely reassuring to know that suits can and do hold up well. still wont stop me being nervous though XD

so, how does the fursuit stand up to the water?....seems like it would be a bit uncomfortable and droopy when you get out of the water.

It is. But it's very short pile fur and dries quickly enough.

ah...was wondering....I never have been able to get me a suit....found some pre-built that I thought of getting, but dang they were $$$...one bison suit looked very real we even realistic eyes and back hump

No Wai!

Hehe ^^ awesome!

how cute!!!

I thought can't didn't LIKE the water *giggles*

Yay for fellow Scuba furs!

That's a pretty incredibly brilliant idea right there :)

Whoa, now this is interesting

must teach me.....
did you also wear the tail?

That looks like a ski-mask! *OvO*

How deep have you taken the suit?

I've seen Mickey Mouse scuba dive.

Holy crap this picture is just awesome! x3

Thank you very much.

MORE SCUBA FURSUITS!!!!!!!!!!!

Wouldn’t swimming in that be... rather difficult?

how does this work?

how long you've been scuba divin' for?