The first rule: wash less than you think
Alpaca fibre naturally resists odour and moisture. Unlike wool or synthetic fabrics, it does not hold on to what it comes into contact with, so most wear leaves no trace. After a day out, shake the piece gently and hang it in fresh air for an hour. That is the whole routine. A full wash is something most of our customers do once a year, and many do it less. Washing can also help reshape your alpaca garment if stress on the fibre has caused it to misalign.
When you do wash
Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of gentle detergent made for wool or delicates. Submerge the piece, press the water through it and leave it for a few minutes. Do not rub, wring or agitate. Rinse in cool water, press out the excess gently, then lay the piece flat on a towel, roll it to draw out the water, and reshape it flat to dry away from direct heat or sunlight. Alpaca can also be machine washed on a wool or silk cycle. Place in a garment bag, use a gentle detergent and follow the same rules for the drying process. This is my preferred option!
Never tumble dry and never hang alpaca to dry. Hot water and agitation will felt the fibre; hanging while wet will pull the shape out of it.
Pilling and how to handle it
Alpaca pills far less than wool or cashmere because the fibre is longer and smoother. You may see a little softening at points of friction (under a bag strap, along the forearm) in the first weeks of wear. This is normal. A gentle pass with a comb removes it and it rarely returns.
Storage: folded, never hung
This is the rule people most often get wrong. Alpaca holds its drape for decades when it is folded flat. Hung on a hanger, the weight of the piece slowly pulls the shoulders and hem out of shape. Keep wraps and knitwear folded on a shelf or in a drawer, away from direct sunlight, which will soften the colour over time.
Putting alpaca away for the season
A season in storage does alpaca no harm at all, provided it is stored clean and dry. Moths are drawn to the traces we leave behind, not to the fibre itself, so a piece put away after a wear or two should be aired first, or washed if it has been worn heavily.
Store it folded in a breathable cotton bag with a little cedar block or lavender sachet. Avoid plastic, which traps moisture, and avoid damp cupboards or lofts. When the weather turns and it is time to bring the piece out, shake it gently, air it for an hour and it will be ready to wear. No washing, no pressing.
What never to do
Never hang a wrap or jumper for long periods. Never use hot water, bleach or a tumble dryer. Never store alpaca in plastic or in a damp room. Never iron directly; if a piece needs refreshing, a cool steam from a distance is enough.
A piece made to last
Everything we make is designed to be worn for a lifetime and passed on. The wraps are here: https://alpacaapparel.co.uk/collections/alpaca-capes
Treated well, the one you buy this year will look the same in twenty.
Frequently asked questions
Should I wash alpaca before storing it?
Only if it has been worn heavily. Otherwise a shake and an airing is enough. If you do wash, use cool water and a gentle detergent, and dry it flat.
Does alpaca pill?
Far less than wool or cashmere, because the fibre is longer and smoother. A little softening at points of friction is normal in the first weeks; a gentle brush with a cashmere comb takes it away.
Can I keep my wrap in the wardrobe all year?
Yes, folded on a shelf rather than on a hanger, and away from direct sunlight, which can be damaging to fibre and colour over time.