General Alpaca Care
Knitwear & Living
Care Recommendations
For your knitwear care routine, remember that less is more. Alpaca fibres are naturally odour-resistant and naturally effective at absorbing water vapour, which helps ward off bacteria and unwanted smells. We suggest deep cleaning your knitwear annually and freshening and spot cleaning between. This approach maintains your knitwear's longevity.
Alpaca is a breathable, odour-resistant fibre that requires minimal washing. Its natural properties help prevent the build-up of bacteria and keep your garments fresher for longer.
Thanks to Alpaca’s natural resistance to odour and moisture, many items can go a long time without washing.
- To refresh, simply air the item outside or place it in the freezer overnight.
- Spot clean gently with a damp cloth and mild detergent when needed.
This helps preserve the fibre’s integrity and extends its longevity.
Depending on the item, we recommend a deeper clean once a year.
- Hand wash in cool to tepid water using a mild detergent (such as Softly for Delicates or baby shampoo).
- Gently squeeze out water — never wring.
- Roll in a towel to absorb excess moisture, then lay flat to dry out of direct sunlight.
- Do not tumble dry or dry clean.
- Always fold your knits; hanging can stretch the garment over time.
- Store in breathable, natural fabric bags (like calico) to protect from moths.
- Keep in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Pilling is a natural part of using soft, natural fibres, especially in areas that experience friction. Suri Alpaca is more resistant to pilling, but as with all natural fibres, some may still occur over time.
- If needed, gently remove with a fabric comb or pill remover.
- A light hand wash followed by steaming can also help smooth the surface.
Our Classic Scarves and Classic Throws are made from a soft Alpaca Cotton blend and may experience some light initial shedding. These brushed items have a delicate surface layer that can release excess fibre during early use — this is a natural part of the finishing process and not a fault.
- To help settle the fibres, gently brush in the direction of the weave with a clothing brush, or give the item a cold, gentle wash before use.
- After this initial phase, shedding should ease
- These items, along with any other Alpaca Cotton blends, can be machine washed using a cold, delicate cycle in a delicates bag.
- To refresh these items and keep the fibre smooth to reduce any pilling, give a gentle brush in the direction of the fibre with a clothing brush.