How to Clean, Care for & Display Your Labubu: The Complete Owner's Guide

You've bought your Labubu — congratulations, you've joined the club. Now the questions start. Can you actually wash one if it gets dirty? How do you stop the colours fading? Should it live in a display case or on an open shelf? What about the box — keep it or bin it?

This guide answers all of it. Whether you've got a single keychain charm or a shelf full of blind-box pendants, the same principles apply — and getting them right protects both the appearance and the resale value of your collection.

Quick answer: the basics of Labubu care

• Cleaning: hand wash only, lukewarm water (max 40°C), tiny bit of mild detergent. Never machine wash, never tumble dry, never bleach.
• Sun protection: keep Labubu out of direct sunlight — UV is the single biggest cause of fading and yellowing.
• Dust: display in an enclosed case if possible, or dust with a soft brush weekly.
• Storage: cool, dry, away from humidity. Original Pop Mart boxes are worth keeping for resale value.
• Display: an acrylic case or a stable shelf away from windows is the standard solution; serious collectors use UV-filtered cases or cabinets.

Now the full detail.

How to clean a Labubu (without damaging it)

Pop Mart actually prints care instructions on the tags of most Labubu figures, and they're remarkably specific. Hand wash only, maximum temperature 40°C, do not bleach, do not tumble dry, line dry in shade, do not iron, do not dry clean.

In practical terms: Labubu fur is primarily polyester (with some series using mohair blends), and the bodies are PVC or ABS. Both materials are easy to clean carefully, but unforgiving of harsh chemicals or heat. Here's how to do it properly.

Daily and weekly: dusting

For figures on open display, dust builds up fast. A weekly once-over with a soft makeup brush or a dry microfiber cloth keeps surfaces clean without any moisture risk. Compressed air can work for tight spots (between teeth, in ear seams), but use short bursts and don't blast it — too much pressure pushes debris into the seams rather than out of them.

Spot cleaning (for small marks)

For everyday smudges — a fingerprint, a coffee splash, a bit of pocket fluff — spot cleaning is almost always enough. You don't need to wash the whole figure.

1. Mix a few drops of mild detergent (or baby shampoo) into lukewarm water.
2. Dip a soft-bristled toothbrush or cotton swab into the solution, then squeeze most of the water out — damp, not soaking.
3. Gently dab the stain in small circular motions, working from outside in to stop it spreading.
4. Follow up with a clean cloth dampened in plain water to remove soap residue.
5. Blot dry with a soft towel — never rub the fur back-and-forth, which can mat it.

For oily stains (makeup, food, hand cream), a light sprinkle of cornstarch or baking soda left on the area for 15 minutes will absorb the grease before you wet-clean. Brush off gently before applying water.

Hand washing (for genuinely dirty figures)

If your Labubu has had a serious accident — went in a puddle, came back from a festival, lived inside a toddler's lunchbox — a full hand wash is the answer.

1. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water (under 40°C) and add a tiny drop of mild detergent. Less is more — too much detergent is a nightmare to rinse out.
2. Submerge the figure gently and lightly squeeze the fur — never wring, twist or scrub aggressively.
3. Rinse thoroughly in clean lukewarm water until all soap is out (this takes longer than you'd think).
4. Press out excess water with a clean towel by patting — don't wring.
5. Air-dry in shade, away from radiators and direct sun. A Labubu hung in a sunny window to dry will yellow.
6. Once dry, gently brush the fur with a soft brush to restore the fluffy texture.

Don't wash more than once every 6–12 months unless there's a real reason — frequent washing weakens stitching and dulls the fur over time.

What never to use on a Labubu

• Bleach or any chlorine product — strips colour permanently
• Alcohol-based cleaners or hand sanitiser — discolours plush and softens vinyl
• Acetone or nail polish remover — instant damage to paint and plastic
• Magic Erasers with heavy pressure — can rub paint off vinyl faces
• Disinfectant wipes (Clorox, Dettol etc.) — too harsh for the materials
• Hot water above 40°C — damages dyes and weakens fibres
• The washing machine or tumble dryer — guaranteed to ruin the figure

How to protect your Labubu from fading and yellowing

The single biggest enemy of a Labubu collection isn't dust — it's UV light. Sunlight (and to a lesser extent, harsh artificial light) fades plush colours and yellows white vinyl over time. A figure that lives on a sunny windowsill for a year will look noticeably different to one displayed in indirect light.

The rules are straightforward:

• Never display Labubu in direct sunlight. South-facing windows are the worst offenders.
• Use UV-filtering film on nearby windows if natural light is unavoidable.
• Indoor LED lighting is safe — it's direct sun that causes the damage, not ambient room light.
• Rotate displayed figures every few months if you have duplicates, so wear is spread evenly.
• Store off-display figures in their original boxes inside a cool, dry drawer or cupboard.

For high-value or limited-edition pieces especially, a UV-filtered acrylic display case is a worthwhile investment — it adds £5–£15 over a standard case and dramatically extends the figure's life.

Should you keep the original Pop Mart box?

Yes — always. Here's why this matters more than people realise:

For resale, the original Pop Mart packaging — including the box, the Pop Card, and any inserts — can be worth 15–30% of the figure's total value to a collector. A sold-out series figure with its original box sells for noticeably more than the same figure loose. If you ever decide to resell or trade up, the box is part of the asset.

Even if you never plan to resell, the box is the safest long-term storage option. Originals are designed to fit the figure exactly, with foam or moulded inserts that prevent crushing, fur matting and seam stress.

How to keep boxes in good condition:

• Store flat or upright in a cool, dry place
• Avoid humidity (no bathrooms, basements or kitchens)
• Don't stack heavy items on top
• Label boxes if you store many — it saves opening every one to find the right figure later

How to display your Labubu collection

Displaying a Labubu collection well is half practical (protection from dust and sun) and half aesthetic (making it look intentional rather than cluttered). Here are the proven approaches.

For a few figures (1–6)

A single shelf or desk surface with each figure given breathing room is the simplest, best-looking start. Crowding figures together makes a display read as storage rather than collection. A small acrylic display box (around £10–£25 each) protects individual figures from dust completely and gives a clean, museum-style presentation. For Labubu pendants (15–17cm), look for cases with internal dimensions of at least 20×18×12cm.

For a growing collection (7–20 figures)

This is where dedicated display cases and tiered risers come into their own. Options that consistently work:

• Stackable acrylic display cases with dust-proof covers — protect your figures from dust and UV while letting you build vertically as the collection grows
• Rotating 360° display cases — particularly clever in tight spaces, since you can spin to any figure without rearranging the shelf
• LED-lit acrylic cases — adds proper presence; figures with tie-dye finishes (Big into Energy especially) look spectacular under soft LED
• IKEA picture ledges (Mosslanda or similar) — the budget collector's classic: three or four stacked ledges create a gallery-wall display, with each shelf comfortably fitting 4–6 Labubu

We stock several of these display options — our LED display case, the rotating 360° case and the Pumpkin Hat & Holder set — designed specifically for Labubu sizes.

For a serious collection (20+ figures)

At this scale, you're really furnishing a display rather than placing one. The IKEA Detolf glass cabinet is the long-standing collector community standard — four shelves, fully enclosed (so dusting becomes a once-every-few-months job), and looks properly impressive when filled. Common upgrades include adding LED strip lights along the inside top edge and using clear acrylic risers to create depth on each shelf.

For collectors with truly large collections, modular acrylic cabinets allow you to expand the display as new releases arrive — which, given Pop Mart's release schedule, will be often.

Common Labubu care mistakes (and how to avoid them)

A few traps that catch first-time owners:

• Cleaning with a disinfectant wipe — quick, easy, and instantly damages the fur. Always use diluted mild detergent instead.
• Displaying in a south-facing window because the light "looks nice" — six months later, the fading is permanent.
• Throwing away the box because it "takes up space" — that decision can cost you 15–30% of resale value.
• Trying to clean a sticky/oily vinyl face with alcohol wipes — softens and discolours the vinyl. Use a damp cloth with a drop of mild dish soap instead, then dry immediately.
• Storing figures in a humid room — encourages mould on plush and warps the boxes. Use a closet or bedroom shelf, never a bathroom or basement.
• Touching figures constantly with bare hands — oils transfer. Either accept light handling marks as part of life, or store untouched pieces in a sealed case.

Travel and transport

If you're taking a Labubu somewhere — to show off, gift, or photograph — pack it in bubble wrap inside a padded case or its original box. The most common transit damage is bent ears (from being squeezed in a bag) and fur matting (from being pressed against a hard surface). A few minutes of careful packing saves a figure looking permanently second-hand.

For shipping or posting, the original Pop Mart box inside a rigid outer box with foam or padding around it is the safest method.

Shop Labubu display cases & accessories

We stock a range of display solutions designed specifically for Labubu — clear acrylic cases, rotating 360° dust-proof cases, LED-lit display boxes and pumpkin-style holders — all sized to fit standard Labubu pendants and dolls. Free and fast UK delivery.

[Shop Labubu display cases →] (link to your display cases / accessories collection)

[Shop Labubu cleaning & care accessories →] (if you stock or plan to stock soft brushes, microfiber cloths, etc — otherwise omit this link)

Frequently asked questions

Can you wash a Labubu in the washing machine? No — never. Machine washing damages the fur, weakens stitching, and can deform the vinyl face. Pop Mart's own care label states hand wash only, maximum 40°C, no tumble dry.

Can a Labubu get wet? Yes, for gentle hand-cleaning. But soaking, dunking or leaving a Labubu wet is risky — water can degrade adhesives between parts, encourage mould inside plush bodies, and warp packaging. Always dry quickly and thoroughly.

Why is my Labubu turning yellow? UV exposure is almost always the cause. White and pale-coloured vinyl in particular yellows with sunlight over time. The fix: move the figure out of direct sun. The damage usually can't be reversed once it's set in.

Should I keep my Labubu in the box? For long-term storage and resale value, yes — the original box is part of the figure's collectible value. For daily enjoyment, displaying outside the box is fine, but keep the box safely stored in a cool, dry place.

What's the best display case for Labubu? For 1–6 figures, individual acrylic boxes work brilliantly. For larger collections, stackable acrylic cases, rotating dust-proof cases, or a full glass cabinet (like the IKEA Detolf) are the standard solutions. UV-filtered acrylic is worth the small extra cost for high-value pieces.

How often should I clean my Labubu? Dust weekly with a soft brush. Spot clean as needed. Full hand wash only when really necessary — typically once every 6–12 months at most, since frequent washing degrades the fur and stitching over time.