Fleef Care, Handling, and Repair

PLEASE HANDLE WITH CARE

A Short Care Guide for Fleef Owners

If you have a Fleef, or are considering adopting one, there are a few things you should know about how to care for them properly.

Firstly, and most importantly, a Fleef is not just any stuffed animal.
Soft and snuggly though they may be, these plush creations are designed to be a friend and companion, not a plaything.

Fleef are meant for gentle handling and posing. They are not recommended for young children (with the possible exception of Cuddle Fleef), and should definitely be kept out of reach of pets.

A Fleef is a one-of-a-kind plush companion. Each one is handmade and unique, and should be handled with care.

Please review these care instructions, and keep them handy for future reference.

CLEANING AND GROOMING

In an ideal world, your Fleef would never get dirty, but that's a sadly unrealistic expectation. Dust, dirt and other messes exist everywhere, and despite our best efforts and intentions, sometimes the Fleef gets dirty.

If this happens, you need to remember one thing above all:   DO NOT GET THEM WET!

Fleef do not like water; water is bad for their bones. A Fleef's skeleton is made with metal, and metal does not like moisture.

DO NOT soak any part of your Fleef in water, and NEVER EVER put your Fleef in the washing machine!

If you find your Fleef needs a dusting, you may carefully wipe them down with a damp (not wet!) paper towel. Giving your Fleef gentle wipe downs like this before storing them can be a good habit to reduce their collection of dirt and dust. Some of them come to enjoy the extra attention.

SPOT CLEANING / HAND WASHING

If you find your Fleef needs a "bath," mix lukewarm water and a gentle laundry detergent or mild dish soap in a large bowl or sink. Using as little water as possible, use an old toothbrush or similar soft scrubber to clean the spot, then remove the soap with a damp (not wet!) towel or paper towel. Dry your Fleef thoroughly with different towel and allow to air-dry completely.

BRUSHING

Some fluffy varieties of Fleef like to be brushed. You can use a soft-bristled brush and/or a wide-toothed comb to gently smooth any knots or tangles in the fur. This will also lift the fibers to freshen and fluff up the Fleef's appearance, remove any lose or stray fibers, and keep your Fleef's fur sleek and soft. This can also make a good addition to the "bedtime routine" for when your Fleef is ready to rest.

SMOOTHING AND SOFTENING

If you find your Fleef's fur is a hot mess, you may give them a "shower." Mix 1 tsp of hair conditioner with two cups of warm water and pour the mix into a spray bottle. Spray very lightly in small sections, then brush to untangle the fur and smooth down any stray fibers. Wipe each area down with a clean, damp (not wet!) cloth and allow the Fleef to air-dry completely.

BASIC NEEDS

While most Fleef are relatively easy to care for, they do have a few basic needs. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you want to give your Fleef a long and happy life.

SHADE AND SHADOWS

While many creatures may enjoy taking naps in the warm sunshine, Fleef prefer to rest in shade and shadows. Fleef don't mind the sun in small amounts, but too much sunshine can be harmful to them. Like most plush creatures, Fleef are prone to sun-bleaching, meaning that their colors will begin to fade if exposed to direct sunlight for extended periods of time. This will cause their bright and shiny coat to appear old and dull.

This doesn't mean you can never take your Fleef outside, just keep an eye on them and don't let them play in the sun for too long. It isn't recommended to leave your Fleef outside, in a sun-facing window, or in a vehicle.

While Fleef love to explore, they prefer to rest in the shade and shadows, and they will live a longer and happier life if kept out of the sun.

MODERATE CLIMATE

Exposing your Fleef to high humidity, or hot / freezing temperatures, aside from being generally unpleasant, can be very damaging to them. Fleef fur is heat sensitive, and extreme temperatures can damage the synthetic fibers, causing the fur to become melted, matted and coarse. Extreme temperatures can also cause their skeleton to warp and weaken. High humidity can cause excessive moisture, which can lead to mold or rust.

Do not put your Fleef in the freezer or the microwave.
Do not put your Fleef in a machine dryer.
Do not use a hair dryer on your Fleef.

While most Fleef enjoy a good adventure, they prefer to come home and relax in cool, dry, and dark spaces.

LIGHT EXERCISE

Fleef are designed to be poseable, meaning they have a wire skeleton that enables them to bend and move and hold their form. While this skeleton is tested for durability, it is not indestructible.

Bending the wire too much in the same place is stressful, and weakens the wire over time. If the wire is weakened enough, it will break. This is the Fleef equivalent to breaking a bone. It's not necessarily life-threatening, but it will require "medical attention," meaning shipping your injured Fleef back to me for treatment. Repairing a broken Fleef skeleton is not easy. In most cases, it will require a complete rebuild of your Fleef.

Take care of your Fleef and avoid excessive bending. Let them rest sometimes.

GENTLE HANDLING

The Fleef's poseable wire skeleton makes it possible for them to achieve a great variety of poses. Some may even be able to achieve "unnatural" looks, such as kung fu stances and yoga poses. While all of this is part of the fun, a Fleef's flexibility does have its limit. Keeping your Fleef in extreme and awkward poses for extended periods of time, aside from being uncomfortable, can be bad for your Fleef's health.

Extreme posing can cause stress on the Fleef's plush "skin," which can result in weakening, stretching, sagging, or tearing of the fabric and seams. This, in turn, may result in a "visit to the vet" for your Fleef. Extreme posing can also be stressful for your Fleef's skeleton. Staying in an unnatural pose for too long can cause the wires to stretch and "remember" that position, weakening the skeleton and making reposing more difficult. This can lead to a "broken bone," which would also prompt a "vet visit" for your Fleef.

Be gentle to your plush, and allow them to "rest" in a natural pose when not in use.

IN CASE OF ILLNESS OR INJURY

In an ideal world, Fleef would last forever. Unfortunately, this isn't always the case. I am always happy to mend or repair any plush creation I have made, if it is within my power to do so. Unfortunately, I cannot offer this as a free service due to the time and cost of materials needed to repair a broken plush. In some cases, this can be a very complicated process. Similar to taking an injured pet to the veterinarian for treatment, the cost of repairs will vary depending on the damage.

There will be a lot of communication in this process, so before shipping anything to me, please email me with photos and a description of the damage that you would like repaired, and how the damage occurred, if you know. I will reply with a tentative treatment plan of what I think can be done and a rough estimate of how much it may cost to do it.

After our email discussion, if you decide to send the plush to me for repairs, please be sure to get tracking on your package and email me a photocopy of the shipping receipt. This will give us both some peace of mind as we can keep track of your plush during its travels, and I can notify you once it arrives safely.

Once I have received your package, I will assess the damage in person and email you a more accurate estimate for repair costs. Time spent on repairs will vary depending on the damage. This will be discussed more once the damage is assessed.

No repairs or alterations will be made to your plush without your approval.

With proper care and gentle handling, your Fleef should have a long and happy life, and you may enjoy your new companion for many years!

Please consider your Fleef's variety and type when caring for them, as not all Fleef can be treated the same way. Cuddle Fleef, for example, are not poseable, and thus may have different needs. If you have any questions or concerns about your specific plush, please feel free to contact me and I will be happy to help.

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