How to wash alpaca? Washing alpaca sweaters and coats | Ansin Blog

Alpaca wool is warmer than standard sheep's wool. Its low lanolin content makes it an especially good type of wool for allergy sufferers. It is also characterized by its delicacy, which means it requires special care. Below, we explain how to wash alpaca wool so that you can enjoy its properties for as long as possible.

How to wash alpaca?

Alpaca wool is more durable than wool obtained from sheep, but this does not mean that sweaters or hats made from it can simply be tossed into the washing machine along with other items. Alpaca clothing—like any wool garment—must be cared for in the appropriate way (see how to wash sheep's wool!). This ensures that your sweater or coat will maintain its shape and softness.

So, how do you wash alpaca? The first thing to remember is that alpaca, like other types of wool, does not require frequent washing. While cotton hoodies or T-shirts require fairly regular machine washing, wool does not get dirty nearly as quickly—in most cases, giving it a good airing out is enough to be able to wear it again. Therefore, only wash alpaca sweaters and coats when you are unable to freshen them up in any other way.

How to wash an alpaca sweater?

If you must wash your alpaca sweater, use a special program on your washing machine or opt for hand washing. When washing in a machine, on a wool or delicate cycle, both the wash temperature and spin speed are selected in such a way that no harm comes to your garment. Usually, this is 20 to 30 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 400 revolutions per minute. If you are setting the wash parameters yourself, choose these settings. A higher temperature and faster spin could ruin an alpaca garment. If you decide to hand wash alpaca, pour water with a maximum temperature of 30 degrees into a basin and dissolve the appropriate amount of detergent for wool and delicate fabrics in it (you can find dosing information on the packaging). Do not pour the liquid directly onto the garment. Let the sweater soak for a while, then start gently kneading it. Do not rub the knit together and do not stretch it.

How to wash alpaca clothing? Part two: drying

After hand-washing your alpaca sweater, you still need to rinse it in water at the same temperature. To do this, pour fresh water into the basin and continue kneading. Once the water is clear, it is time to get rid of the excess. Gently squeeze the water out of the sweater without wringing it out forcefully. Then, lay the garment on a towel and roll it up as if you were rolling a pancake. You can gently knead the alpaca garment wrapped in this way to allow the water to soak into the towel. The next step is drying, which must be done flat. You can lay the washed sweater on a dry towel or a unfolded laundry drying rack. Do not hang it, so as not to deform the delicate alpaca fibers. Also, do not use a tumble dryer, as the item could shrink or pill. Avoid direct sunlight on wet clothing as well as keeping it right next to a turned-on radiator.

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Can an alpaca coat be machine washed?

While washing alpaca sweaters, hats, or scarves is not a difficult matter, a coat made of this type of wool requires slightly different treatment. Before you start cleaning, be sure to check the inner label, as it may turn out that your coat needs to be dry-cleaned. If you do not find such a symbol on it, you can leave your alpaca coat at home. How do you wash it the right way? By hand! Because of its size, it is a good idea to use a bathtub for this. If you have a shower stall, it is better to take the coat to a dry cleaner (or wash it at a friend's place ;)). Before you start, however, brush the alpaca coat – this will remove dust and other surface dirt. Remember to do this in the direction of the nap.

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How to wash an alpaca coat?

Place the brushed coat into a bathtub filled with cool or lukewarm water with detergent dissolved in it. If you recently cleaned the bathroom, make sure there are no remnants of cleaning agents on the sides of the bathtub before washing—they could damage the delicate alpaca fibers. Soak the coat for about 20-30 minutes (before leaving it, make sure it is completely soaked with water). After this time, start the actual washing. Treat the alpaca coat similarly to the sweater—use kneading motions that will allow water to penetrate deep into the fibers. If you notice a stain, you can gently rub the soiled area with a soft cloth. After washing the alpaca coat, move it to a basin, and fill the bathtub with fresh water (at the same temperature as the wash water). Put the coat into the bathtub and repeat the kneading process to get rid of detergent and dirt residue. Repeat the process until the water is clear. Dry the alpaca coat in the same way as the sweater. Because this process can take longer for a coat, turn the garment inside out from time to time.

FAQ - how to wash alpaca

Do alpaca clothes need to be washed often?

No, alpaca wool does not require frequent washing. In most cases, a thorough airing is sufficient, and washing should only be performed when the clothing cannot be refreshed in any other way.

How do I wash an alpaca sweater?

It is best to hand wash an alpaca sweater or wash it in a machine on a wool cycle at 20–30°C and a maximum of 400 spins. Use only detergents for wool.

How do I dry alpaca clothing after washing?

Alpaca clothing should be dried flat, laid out on a towel or drying rack. They must not be hung or dried in a tumble dryer to avoid deformation and fiber shrinkage.

Can an alpaca coat be machine washed?

Usually, it is not recommended to wash an alpaca coat in a machine. The safest solution is hand washing in a bathtub or taking it to a dry cleaner, according to the label instructions.