A custom mascot costume is an important investment for your organization. That means to deliver superior return on investment (ROI) it’s crucial that you take the proper maintenance and repair steps to ensure its longevity.
Another important factor is the fact your mascot costume is the face of your brand. Your mascot marketing strategy sets the tone for what people think of your organization, and having a mascot costume that’s not in perfect condition can impact the public’s perception of your company.
To ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck and continue to impress your audience at events and on social media, it’s important that you consistently look after your mascot costume throughout the year.
Mascot costumes from reputable designers are well constructed, but they still experience wear and tear from age and use. If you have owned your mascot costume for a while, there’s a good chance that some proactive maintenance or repair could bring it back to its original condition.
With that in mind, here are some signs to look out for that may suggest your mascot costume is in need of some TLC.
Loose parts on your mascot costume
Over time, the more delicate parts of a mascot costume can begin to come loose. Mascot costume components that are particularly vulnerable include eyes, ears, teeth, buttons and other smaller details. It’s important that any of these issues are dealt with as soon as they are noticed so they can be more easily fixed.
Ripped, worn out or scratched fabric
Ripped fabric, worn out fabric, seam splits and small tears are all aspects of maintaining a mascot costume. These smaller issues are easy to repair and will keep your mascot looking as good as new. Address these smaller repairs as soon as possible because during an active performance a weakened seam could split further.
Damage to mascot clothing
Your mascot’s clothing, such as its shirt and gloves, are likely to show signs of wear and tear before your actual mascot costume. Just like with clothing in real life, items like gloves are easily soiled during normal use. Thankfully, these detachable items are easy to replace. If you are having new gloves or accessories created, it might be a good idea to update your mascot’s appearance with new items.
Don’t forget to clean your mascot regularly
To prevent your mascot costume from becoming damaged from mold, mildew, discolouration and other moisture-related issues, it's important that you clean your costume frequently. This should include getting your mascot costume professionally cleaned, drying the costume out properly, and storing the mascot in ideal conditions while not in use to prevent damage. All of this will add to the longevity of your mascot costume.
For more information about how to properly remove and clean parts of your mascot costume, including the head, feet, hands, body and props, please read our mascot care and maintenance guide.
For any further questions about the maintenance of your mascot costume, or about mascot costumes in general, please do contact BAM Mascots. We have more than 35 years’ experience in designing mascot costumes that help brands significantly improve their marketing efforts.
