Why alpaca needs different care
Alpaca fiber is silky, warm and light, but it has two traits worth knowing before you wash it:
- It's less elastic than sheep's wool. It has less natural crimp, so a wet garment left hanging grows longer and won't always bounce back on its own.
- It has very little lanolin. You don't need a degreasing detergent; a gentle wash is enough.
And like any animal fiber, it can felt with hot water, sudden temperature changes and friction. To learn more about the fiber itself, read What is baby alpaca.
How to hand wash alpaca, step by step
- Prepare the water. Fill a basin with cool or lukewarm water, no warmer than 30 °C (86 °F), and dissolve a little wool or alpaca wash. If you don't have any, a mild shampoo works.
- Submerge the garment. Press it down gently with your palm so it soaks through, then leave it for about 15 minutes. No scrubbing needed: the soak does the work.
- Rinse at the same temperature. Swap the water for fresh water at the same temperature and press gently. Many wool washes are no-rinse; follow the label.
- Lift it out with both hands. Scoop it up as one bundle rather than by a shoulder: the weight of the water would stretch it.
- Remove water without wringing. Press it against the bottom of the basin, lay it on a towel, roll it up and press with your hands or step on it gently.
- Dry flat. Lay it on a dry towel or a mesh rack, ease it into shape and size, and keep it away from radiators and direct sun. Flip it halfway through so it dries faster.
Can you machine wash alpaca?
Only if your machine has a truly gentle wool or hand-wash cycle: cold water, low spin, and the garment inside a mesh laundry bag. Even then there's some risk of felting or distortion, and it depends on the machine. Our ROW BY ROW yarn (100% Peruvian baby alpaca, arriving in November) is hand wash only, and that's what we recommend for any alpaca piece you want to keep for years.
Do's and don'ts
| Do | Don't |
|---|---|
| Cool or lukewarm water, 30 °C (86 °F) max | Hot water or sudden temperature changes |
| Wool wash or mild shampoo | Regular detergent, bleach or lots of fabric softener |
| Soak for about 15 minutes | Rub the fabric against itself |
| Press water out in a towel | Wring or twist |
| Dry flat, eased into shape | Hang on a hanger or line, or use the dryer |
| Store folded | Leave it on a hanger for months |
How often to wash alpaca
Much less often than you'd think. Alpaca resists odors well, so airing it out is usually enough: lay it flat by an open window or in a well-ventilated spot for a few hours after wearing. Wash it when it's stained or, for a sweater you wear a lot, a few times per season. Fewer washes mean less wear.
How to block an alpaca knit
Blocking is the same process as washing, with attention to measurements: with the damp piece on a towel, gently ease it to the pattern's dimensions and let it dry that way. For shawls and lace you can pin out the points. Keep in mind that alpaca gives easily: shape it, but don't overstretch it, because it won't spring back. For a full walkthrough of the technique, see How to wash and block chunky wool.
Does alpaca pill? Why it happens and how to remove pills
Yes, alpaca can pill, like any natural fiber, mostly in high-friction areas: underarms, cuffs and the sides where a bag or belt rubs. Pills usually show up in the first few wears, as the shortest fibers work loose, and then decrease.
- Sweater comb: stroke in one direction with the garment laid flat on a firm surface.
- Fabric shaver: use light pressure and don't linger on one spot, so you don't thin the fabric.
- Don't pull pills off with your fingers: you drag out healthy fibers and get more pills.
How to store alpaca
- Store it clean and dry: moths are drawn to traces of skin and sweat.
- Always folded, never on a hanger.
- In a cotton or other breathable bag. Plastic is fine short term, but for months of storage the fiber is better off able to breathe.
- Add cedar blocks or lavender sachets to deter moths and refresh them every season.
The same care works for other delicate fibers; in How to knit with mohair you'll find a section on washing and blocking kid mohair.
If your sweater has stretched
It's not ruined. Wet it again in cool or lukewarm water with a little wool wash, press the water out in a towel and lay it flat. Push the fabric with your hands back toward the right measurements, shortening the length and repositioning shoulders and sleeves, then let it dry without moving it. You may need to repeat this once more. Going forward: store it folded and always dry it flat.
FAQ
Can alpaca go in the washing machine?
Only on a cold wool or hand-wash cycle with low spin, and even then with some risk. For hand-knitted pieces, hand washing is the safe choice.
Can I put alpaca in the dryer?
No. Heat and tumbling can felt and shrink the garment. Always dry it flat.
Does alpaca shrink?
Cool water alone won't shrink it, but it can felt and get smaller if you wash it in hot water, rub it or put it in the dryer.
Why does my alpaca sweater stretch?
Because alpaca has less elasticity and memory than sheep's wool and a lot of drape. Hung up, especially when wet, it gives under its own weight. Store it folded and dry it flat.
How often should I wash alpaca?
Rarely. Air it out after wearing and wash it only when it's dirty or stained.
