[Complete Guide to Washing Cosplay Costumes] That one washing method might be no good! What are the basic rules to make costumes last longer?

For those who are just starting cosplay, one surprising challenge is how to wash the costume. After a cosplay event, your costume gets dirty without you noticing–most likely from sweat, makeup, or dirt from outdoor shoots. Many people may think that they don’t know how to wash it, or they’re worried about ruining the costume after washing. In fact, cosplay costumes are very different from regular clothing, making them extremely difficult to handle due to the costume’s complex materials and structures. Even if you think you’ve washed them correctly, there are often cases where they end up damaged or deteriorated. This time, we’ll introduce the “Mistake-Free Laundry Rules” to properly care for your cosplay costumes, along with opinions from cosplay staff!

What kind of washing methods do people actually use?

Since there are several cosplayers on the staff, we asked how they actually wash their costumes themselves

Have you ever wondered how to wash your cosplay costume?	I was bothered when I first started, but once I got used to it, I haven’t noticed lately.	I’m always paying attention. If something cannot be washed, I check what methods are available to keep it. I also experiment with it. If it can’t be washed, you might consider cost performance by how many times you can use it.	Not much.
How do you wash your clothes?	I put them in a net and separate the colored items for washing. Basically, they’re treated the same as regular stylish clothing.	Color fading. Cheap fabrics are often used, and even brand-name items tend to fade, so you need to be careful. If you wash it together with something that fades, it will stain permanently and become unusable. (If you wash repeatedly, it can be removed to some extent, but it’s impossible to completely remove, so I don’t think it’s worth the effort.) Be especially careful with red and black.	Put it in the net.

Staff Tips for “Realistic Ways to Wash Delicate Costumes”

Here, we’ll introduce more practical laundry tips shared by staff who are actually mindful of laundry during cosplay.

Things you must check before washing

First, you should check the “care label” on your outfit before washing. This label indicates the limits of the treatment the costume can withstand. Basically, the standard is that “if you exceed this range, it may get damaged.” However, cosplay costumes you’ve created yourself don’t have labels, so it’s important to check how the fabric used is handled.

Don’t use a washing machine. Hand wash instead

Basically, this method doesn’t use a washing machine. Recently, there have been many decorations for game character costumes that are often delicately crafted, and a common concern may be that those decorations could break inside a washing machine.

It was a struggle to wash the Genshin Impact costumes…To wash clothes, first fill a tub with lukewarm water and soak your clothes thoroughly. The key is to make the entire costume soak through.

Next, add a neutral detergent to it and gently stir the water. At this point, you don’t need to rub or massage the garment itself. Just gently moving in the water is enough. After that, the first wash is complete.

How do you rinse it?

After washing with detergent, rinse thoroughly using a shower. Since leftover detergent can cause deterioration, it’s important to take your time and rinse carefully. It takes a lot of effort, but if you really care about your costume, the time will fly by!

Dehydration is like a natural washing machine?

Regarding dehydration, prioritize not straining yourself rather than trying to remove the water completely. If using a washing machine, it’s safer to limit dehydration to about 30 seconds or gently wring out the water by a then absorb the remaining moisture with a towel.

Just dry it and you’re done!

Afterwards, just dry it and you’re finished. However, when drying, it’s recommended to lay your costume flat rather than only hanging it on a hanger to keep it from losing its shape. The basic rule is to dry it in a well-ventilated, shaded area, carefully avoiding stains.

Why are cosplay costumes so fragile?

The reason cosplay costumes are difficult to handle lies in their structure. While most general clothing is made from a single material, cosplay costumes are usually made by combining multiple materials and processes. For example, decorative parts glued onto fabric, glitter, print processing, and synthetic leather materials are often used simultaneously. Each of these processing elements have different water and heat resistances, making them even more difficult to clean.

Adhesive parts are also vulnerable to water and friction, and may peel off after washing. Additionally, glitter and prints are prone to deterioration from repeated washing, and synthetic leather risks deteriorating due to moisture or heat. Washing the entire costume is a real challenge.

Cosplayer Yomei Kanure profile

X: @lakan_0323

Cospot: @kanure_0323

Laundry troubles to be aware of and countermeasures

What should you do if you leave it wet?

One of the most common problems when washing cosplay costumes is water damage. Although you’d think that after you wash your costume, you’d hang it and let it dry. While it’s inevitable that washing your costume will leave it wet, it could also suffer discoloration due to reactions with metal parts if left wet for long periods. Makeup stains also become more difficult to remove over time, so it’s better to treat them early. If you go out, you could ideally press the costume down without rubbing and then apply cleansing oil or a similar product as soon as you return home.

Not washing is also an important option

Not all costumes can be washed at home. Forcibly washing them increases the risk of damage, especially costumes with heavy decorations, synthetic leather, bonding, or heavy decorations.

Handling wipes

For wiping, you can also use disinfectant alcohol, but this method carries risks depending on the material’s compatibility. Before use, always check in an inconspicuous area to check whether the color will fade, the material won’t dissolve, and the print or patterns won’t disappear. If you have even the slightest concern, avoid forcing alcohol and simply wipe it lightly with water and let the air pass through sufficient care.

Handling at dry cleaners

If you go to a dry cleaner, it’s important to check in advance whether they can handle cosplay costumes. Some shops may not be able to accommodate you, so be careful.

Costume care is directly linked to quality

In cosplay, the condition of the costume directly affects its completeness. No matter how faithful a costume is, dirt or deterioration is noticeable, the impression will change dramatically. Laundry and care are labor-intensive tasks, but these efforts help maintain quality.