How do you wash an alpaca sweater? By hand, in cool water up to 30°C, with a gentle wool detergent. Don't rub, don't wring and don't dry it on a radiator. Press the water out with a towel and dry the sweater flat. Below you will find simple step-by-step instructions and proven ways to keep alpaca and mohair knitwear from pilling so it looks new for a long time.
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Before you start: does an alpaca sweater need washing?
Alpaca gets dirty more slowly than cotton and sheds odours well. Often it is enough to air the sweater for a few hours or gently steam it. Save washing for when the sweater is visibly dirty, or for the end of the season before you put it away. The less often you wash it, the longer the sweater stays soft.
How to hand wash an alpaca sweater: 5 steps
- Prepare a bowl of cool water, up to 30°C, and dissolve a small amount of wool detergent in it.
- Turn the sweater inside out and submerge it completely. Don't rub, just press gently with your hands.
- Leave the sweater in the water for about 10 minutes.
- Pour the water away and rinse the sweater in clean water of the same temperature. Sudden changes in temperature encourage felting.
- Don't wring the sweater. Gather it in your hands and squeeze lightly to let the water drain.
You wash a mohair sweater the same way. Both fibres are delicate, so the rule is simple: cool water, little movement, no friction. You can read more about why wool felts in the entry on felting.
Drying: the most important stage
Lay the sweater on a large towel, roll the towel up and press so it absorbs the excess water. Then lay the sweater on a dry towel or a sweater drying rack, reshape it and leave it to dry away from radiators and sunlight.
Never hang a wet sweater on a hanger, as it will stretch under its own weight. Wet alpaca is heavy and easily loses its shape, which is why drying flat is essential when you think about how to wash an alpaca sweater so it lasts for years.
Can alpaca be machine washed?
If your washing machine has a wool or hand-wash programme, you can use it, but only in cool water and with minimal spinning. Put the sweater in a laundry bag. With hand-knitted sweaters, however, washing in a bowl is safer, because you have full control over the temperature and the movement of the water. If you are not sure how to machine wash an alpaca sweater, choose hand washing.
Why does a sweater pill and how to prevent it?
Pilling is caused by friction: fibres work their way out of the knit and roll into little balls. It most often appears under the arms, on the cuffs and where a bag rubs. A few rules help reduce it:
- Don't carry a bag with a rough strap over your sweater and avoid clothes with Velcro.
- Give your sweater a day's rest after each wear.
- Wash rarely and always inside out.
- Remove pills with a sweater comb or a fabric shaver, gently and in one direction.
Light pilling in the first weeks of wear is natural with fluffy fibres such as alpaca and mohair. Once the pills are removed, the knit usually settles down.
How to remove a stain from an alpaca sweater?
You don't always need to wash the whole sweater. Gently blot a fresh stain with a paper towel, without rubbing. Then apply a little wool detergent diluted in cool water and carefully press it with a clean cloth. Finally, rinse the spot with cool water and dry the sweater flat. It is a quick fix when you are wondering how to spot-clean an alpaca sweater.
Which detergent to choose for alpaca?
The best choice is a mild detergent made for wool and silk, without enzymes or bleach. Enzymes break down proteins, and alpaca and mohair fibres are protein, so a regular detergent can weaken them. Skip fabric softener too, as it weighs the fibres down and takes away their fluffiness.
How often should I wash an alpaca sweater?
A few times a season is usually enough. If you wear the sweater over a shirt or a top, you can wash it even less often, because it has less contact with your skin. Between washes, air the sweater flat overnight and store it folded. With this approach, the question of how to wash an alpaca sweater comes up very rarely.
Storing alpaca sweaters out of season
Store sweaters folded, not on a hanger, somewhere airy. Before putting them away, make sure they are clean and completely dry. A lavender sachet or a piece of cedarwood helps protect wool from moths.
How to wash an alpaca sweater without mistakes?
- Hot water: the quickest way to shrink and felt a sweater.
- Regular washing powder: too harsh for delicate fibres.
- Wringing and fast spinning: they stretch the knit.
- Drying on a radiator: it dries out the fibres and changes their texture.
Summary
How do you wash an alpaca sweater? Rarely, by hand and in cool water, then patiently dry it flat. You will find more tips in our care guide and in the post alpaca or merino. If you are looking for a sweater that will last for years, take a look at our hand-knitted alpaca sweaters.
