How to Take Care of Your Cosplay Swords and Wigs

Cosplaying is fun, but putting together a true-to-life costume of your favorite character can cost a lot of money and requires no small amount of effort. Even if you’ll only be wearing it for a day to a con, it’s still in your best interest to try and protect your investment. Taking care of your cosplay swords and wigs, especially, will help preserve them for future use. Read on below for tips on how to keep your gear in tiptop shape:

Cosplay Swords

Cosplay swords, like most other cosplay props and accessories, can be made out of a wide variety of materials. Listed below are some of the most common ones:

• Foam 
  • Resist the urge to lean on your foam cosplay swords–they’re easily breakable! The last thing you want to happen is for part of it to break off, as they’re not easily repaired. On that note, you should also take care not to shove your foam cosplay sword into the ground. It won’t hold. 
  • Keep your foam sword away from direct sunlight. This can damage the materials it’s made out of. Latex also sticks together when exposed to heat, so try not to stack any replica swords on top of each other if it’s part of your foam sword build.. 
  • Foam weapons don’t do well in extreme heat or cold. Make an effort to store your foam cosplay swords in a cool, dry place where they won’t get damp. 
  • Invest in a padded sword sheath or holder to protect your foam weapon from accidental damage.
• Stainless steel
  • Do your best not to directly touch the blade. This will help maintain its glint, and keep your fingers’ natural oils from collecting on the surface. If you do happen to get any fingerprints on it, wipe them away with a soft cloth dipped in a bit of isopropyl alcohol.
  • Storing any stainless steel sword in its leather sheath for extended periods is always a bad idea; moisture can collect where the blade touches the sheath. Instead, display your sword in all its glory on a sword rack in a cool, dry place and clean it lightly every few weeks. 
  • Stainless steel cosplay swords, such as this replica of The Legend of Zelda’s Master Sword from Ice Imports, can benefit from a bit of light oiling from time to time. Use a small amount of mineral oil and a soft cloth to make the blade shine. Alternatively, you can also use a polishing paste specifically designed for stainless steel blades. 
• Carbon steel
  • Carbon steel is prone to rust and oxidation, and fingerprints are usually the culprit. Again, resist the urge to touch the blade. Should you find some light rusting, use WD-40 and a synthetic scouring pad to gently lift it from the surface. 
  • A light layer of oil or wax is great for protecting your carbon steel blade from the aforementioned rust and oxidation. You can use light mineral oil or any type of machine oil to do so. 
  • Consider purchasing a Sword Cleaning Kit from Ice Imports, which contains everything you need to clean your cosplay sword and keep it looking amazing.

Cosplay Wigs

Cosplay wigs lend authenticity to your ensemble, but they can become matted and tangled after wearing. Here are a few tips on how to take care of them after the event:

• Use a wide-toothed comb, not a brush, to carefully work any tangles out of your cosplay wig. Be gentle and don’t use too much force, as this will pull the strands out and make the wig look thin. Also, keep the comb away from the lace cap. 
• Wash the wig in cold water. Using warm or hot water can distort its shape. Add a bit of shampoo to the water and create a thick lather with your hands. You can then place the wig in the soapy water and begin cleaning the strands by gently rubbing and scrunching them. You should also turn your wig inside out and clean out the lace cap thoroughly. Allow the wig to soak for a few minutes before rinsing.
• After washing your wig, lay it out flat on a clean towel to air dry. Alternatively, you can set it on a wire wig form. 
• Store your wig in its original packaging after drying. You can also use wig stands to display your wigs. 
• Stuff the lace cap of your cosplay wig with tissue paper when transporting it to your next event. If the wig came with an included hair net, use that to cover the wig. This helps prevent static from building up. 
• If your wig is heavily styled, keep it attached to a wig stand during transport. You can also use an old hat box or any deep container to help it keep its shape before you put it on. 

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For more anime and cosplay swords, visit Ice Imports today!