“How do I care for an alpaca wool garment?”, “Can I wash my wool sweater in the machine?”, or “How do I dry my wool sweater?” These are the most frequently asked questions. Here you will find a complete guide to wool care as well as some useful tips.
It’s true that alpaca wool, being still relatively unknown, can seem a little mysterious. In addition, many types of wool can stretch during washing, or on the contrary shrink, lose their colour and their shine. So why should it be different with alpaca wool?
First of all, it’s important to know that alpaca wool is known for its many beneficial properties. One of them is that this fibre is four times stronger than sheep’s wool and also seven times warmer. As a result, you can have fewer worries about your garment deteriorating with repeated washes. On the contrary, alpaca is a long-term investment and you can be sure that it will remain in excellent condition for many years.
How to care for your alpaca wool garments and accessories?
Washing wool
The first essential element for properly caring for an alpaca wool sweater and keeping it in perfect condition is choosing a gentle and delicate shampoo with the smallest possible amount of detergent. Too often people overlook this crucial step and are disappointed with the result despite taking many other precautions. You will find different types of natural care products in our Home & Décor collection, suitable for all kinds of delicate wools. Avoid any type of fabric softener: no chemical agent can match the natural softness of alpaca wool straight from the Andes!
Although alpaca wool is extremely resistant and behaves much better than other wools after machine washing, BellePaga recommends machine washing only for socks (at 30 degrees). We advise dry cleaning or hand washing in lukewarm water (between 10 and 20 degrees) using a gentle shampoo for all other garments and accessories.
It’s important to maintain a constant temperature between 10 and 20 degrees when washing alpaca wool, as temperature changes can felt the wool (however, our alpaca wool socks can be washed in the machine at 30°C with your other clothes and ordinary soap).
If washing your alpaca garments by hand, simply let the water run during washing and rinsing to keep the temperature the same. Avoid wringing or twisting the garment after washing: gently pressing it to remove excess water is enough. It is also recommended to wear plastic gloves to avoid damaging the wool with long nails or jewellery.
As a reminder, alpaca wool is known for not retaining odours or dust. From time to time, you can lay the garment flat on a clean towel and let it air dry. A simple airing refreshes it and prevents unnecessary washing.
We simply recommend washing your alpaca garments and accessories at the end of the season to protect them from mites that may settle in natural fibres.
Drying
Under no circumstances should alpaca wool garments be put in the dryer! As mentioned earlier, it’s best to place your wool garment on a towel, so it absorbs the excess water and dries faster. Choose air drying on a flat surface (including the sleeves of your sweaters) to avoid stretching the fibres.
Ironing
Alpaca wool is known for its ability not to wrinkle, so ironing is generally rarely necessary. However, if needed, turn the garment inside out. Place a cloth between the iron and the garment to avoid damage, and set the iron to a low temperature without steam.
Extending the durability of alpaca fibres
You should know that alpaca fibres, especially when dyed and during the first washes, may colour your water. Don’t worry — this is completely normal.
We simply recommend washing your garments separately or with similar colours. To set the dye, just soak your garments in water with around 20% white vinegar.
There’s also a trick to keep your fibres looking new for longer: place your new knitwear in the refrigerator for at least 48 hours. The cold helps tighten the fibres, making them stronger. You can then wash your garment without worrying about fibre breakage or pilling. Thanks to this temperature shock, moths are also repelled.
Alternatively, you can place lavender sachets in your wardrobes, as moths dislike their scent. All the advice on this page is based on our expertise and our customers’ experiences.
In summary
Air out your alpaca wool garments regularly, and when washing, always check that the water temperature remains constant (between 10 and 20 degrees).
If you wish to iron alpaca wool, remember to place a cloth between the garment and the iron and set the iron to a low temperature without steam.
BellePaga socks can be machine washed at 30°C with regular soap.
Never hang a wet alpaca wool garment on a hanger, as it may stretch due to the weight of the water. And of course, avoid the dryer.
To strengthen the fibres and make them last longer, you can place your alpaca garment in the refrigerator for 48 hours. This method, like lavender sachets, also repels moths.
Now that you know all the details about caring for alpaca wool, we invite you to discover our full collection of alpaca wool clothing and accessories!
Explore our women’s collection, our men’s collection, as well as our entire home & décor range.