Here at Cadbury Alpacas we are very proud of our farm to fibre process and the beautiful alpaca wool products that our talented local crafters produce for us with our alpaca wool. We have some gorgeous products in stock and are often asked how to wash alpaca wool.
Alpaca fibre is different from sheep wool as it has no lanolin, making it hypoallergenic and perfect for those with sensitive skin, particularly babies. It is much smoother which dramatically reduces the itch factor. The fibre also has a hollow core meaning that it thermo-regulates, keeping you warm and insulated in winter and cool in summer. It’s also incredibly soft and luxurious to wear and does not bobble or pill. With all these unique features you’d think that it would be really hard to wash alpaca wool products, but it’s not!
WASHING 100% ALPACA KNITWEAR
- You should always use cool water to wash alpaca wool.
- Never use biological or enzyme containing washing powders or liquids, use a good non biological product or specialist wool wash product.
- For the best results, always hand wash 100% alpaca wool clothing.
- Rinse the item well in cool water until there is no soapy residue left.
- Do not twist or wring the product, gently squeeze it to remove excess water.
- Lay the alpaca wool garment flat on a towel and then gently roll the towel up with the garment inside (like a sausage). Press gently to help remove the water from the garment. You may need to repeat the process with another dry towel depending on the size of the garment and the amount of water remaining.
- Our alpaca socks may be washed in a washing machine with a suitable non-biological detergent at 30 degrees or less. Just make sure that you use a gentle wash on a program that does not have much agitation. Most silk programs would be suitable but leave out the spin and remove water as described above for the best results.
- Air dry the alpaca wool garment flat. Do not dry it on a radiator or in front of a fire as this will damage the fibre. Never tumble dry alpaca wool.
- Never use bleach on alpaca wool.
STORING YOUR ALPACA SOCKS AND KNITWEAR
- Make sure they’re clean
Moths are attracted to body and food smells left in the fibre after wearing. - Store socks flat, not rolled into balls. Balling up socks can distort the shape. We recommend storing sweaters flat, too.
- Use vacuum-packed bags or boxes
This helps protect your clothes, keeping them in tip-top condition. If your wool clothes are in storage for a year or more, it’s a good idea to let them air out for a bit before re-packing for storage. - Include some cedar
The heartwood of cedar helps keep out moths and other creatures that potentially harm your hibernating clothes.
Take a look at our wonderful range of alpaca wool items, such as hand warmers and gloves, baby bootees and jackets, hats and head warmers, scarves and cowls. If you prefer to knit your own items, why not have a look at our alpaca yarn section?