How to care for your alpaca clothing and accessories

Alpaca is a noble, very soft luxury fiber and has special properties. In order to preserve the colors and shine of your favorite pieces, it is important to know a few things about these exclusive fibers and to consider a few aspects when caring for them. We have put these together below.

1. Self-cleaning

Alpaca hair needs washing less often than, for example, clothing made of cotton. This is due on the one hand to its thermoregulation, which prevents sweating under the clothing - as when you go from the cold outside to the warmth inside, for example. On the other hand, it is also relatively dirt-repellent. If you do feel like you smell something after wearing it, we recommend that you air your item of clothing in the fresh air overnight. The protein molecules in the alpaca fibers neutralize odors in this way.

2. Hand wash

It is best to wash alpaca wool by hand in lukewarm water (max. 30°C). Hot and very cold water can damage the fibers or cause small knots, which is also known as pilling. Use a mild, lanolin-free detergent and do not use fabric softener. Do not twist the garment, but gently squeeze out the water by rolling it between two towels. Allow alpaca wool to air dry flat, preferably on a towel. Avoid direct sunlight and hot air from heaters.

3. Machine wash

If your washing machine has a special wool program or hand-wash program with a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius and the spin cycle is between 600 and a maximum of 800 revolutions per minute, you can also wash your alpaca clothing in the washing machine. We recommend using a laundry bag for this. Please also use a lanoli-free mild detergent and no fabric softener.

4. Drying

After washing, it's time to dry. The best way to do this is to put the clothes on a clothes rack and let them air dry. Never use a dryer or hang them to dry, as this would cause them to deform or bulge. Also avoid direct sunlight during the drying process.

5. Further care instructions

You may have already noticed that alpaca clothing does not wrinkle - so you don't need to iron it. To protect your clothes from moths, you can play it safe and store them in plastic bags. It is also a good idea to always have a small lavender bag in your wardrobe.