Fabric Care Guide: Alpaca

Alpaca Care
The luxury version of mohair, Alpaca has featured for the first time in our knitwear collection in recent seasons. Naturally anti-bacterial, anti-microbial and odour-resistant, Alpaca wool is durable and, with the right care, will last many years. In this care guide, we'll explore our expert tips from our product development team on proper washing and storing of your alpaca pieces to ensure you'll be wearing them for years to come.

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Freshening:

To freshen up your alpaca pieces between washes, lay flat on a bed or towel and allow to air for a few hours to remove odours. This should be done after each wear to keep your pieces fresh before storing away. Any pilling or pet hairs should be removed with a lint roller or fabric shaver. Alternatively, you can give your alpaca pieces a light steam to freshen up.

Spot Cleaning:

To spot clean any small stains or spillages, use warm water and a mild detergent and gently dab at the stain to loosen. Avoid harsh scrubbing, as it can damage the fibres in the fabric. Treat stains as soon as they happen to avoid them soaking into the fabric. Once the stain is removed, allow the item to air dry fully before folding away.

Washing:

Like wool, Alpaca has natural anti-bacterial and odour-resistant properties, meaning it doesn't need to be washed as often as you might think! If you do need to wash your alpaca pieces, we recommend hand washing in cool water. To hand wash, turn the item inside out and submerge in a bath of cool water and dedicated wool detergent. Be careful not to pull and tug at the garment as it can cause stretching. Soak for at least half an hour then rinse thoroughly with cool water.

Drying:

After washing, opt for air drying your alpaca pieces instead of using a dryer as this can cause shrinkage. Absorb any excess water with a towel and leave to dry flat in an airy place away from direct sunlight. Avoid drying near heat sources, like radiators, as this can shrink the fabric. If there are creases in the garment give it a light steam rather than ironing, as this can crush the fibres.

Storing:

Make sure your alpaca pieces are completely dry before putting them away. We always recommend storing your alpaca pieces folded in a cupboard or drawer, rather than hanging them to ensure they don't stretch or become misshapen. Unfortunately moths love wool and without proper storage your pieces are at risk of being destroyed by them. To keep moths away, invest in moth balls and store your pieces in air tight bags during the summer or when not being worn.

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