CARE OF PRODUCTS MADE FROM ALPACA YARN
Should alpaca fiber products be washed by hand or in the washing machine?
Currently, most washing machines on the market have a wool or hand wash program, but we should approach this topic with caution. The appearance of our woolen clothes and accessories after washing is primarily determined by the water temperature, the washing motion, and the detergent used. Here, remember the principle: LESS IS MORE. So, when choosing a washing machine, remember to use a short cycle (up to 30 minutes), set the temperature no higher than 30°C, and select the lowest spin speed. Unfortunately, because our intentions don't always align with our washing machine's operating mode, and it tends to change the water temperature during operation, which can be detrimental to our woolen treasures, hand washing is a much safer option.
How should you go about it when, for example, your alpaca hat needs a refresh? When hand-washing your woolen alpaca hat , headband, other accessories, or clothing, remember the water temperature – it should be lukewarm (max. 30°C) and the same temperature during washing as during rinsing. Temperature changes can cause your clothes to shrink, so avoid prolonged soaking. Secondly, alpaca wool is delicate, so use gentle detergents to clean it. Special detergents are available on the market for wool, but an equally good solution is to use a gentle shampoo (preferably natural, without harsh chemicals) and a small amount of hair conditioner during rinsing. Using these detergents will make your woolen garments even softer. Thirdly, remember to treat the wool gently during all these treatments. So, don't rub, squeeze, or twist, but rather gently knead it, and finally, squeeze out any excess water with a dry towel. Any excessively vigorous movements can lead to felting of our woolen accessories, so let's show them lots of love during washing :)
Should alpaca wool products be dried flat or hung?
Because wet wool is heavy, to avoid stretching our woolen treasures, don't hang them to dry, but rather lay them flat. It's best to lay such items on a towel, for example, remembering to unfold them neatly. This will avoid unnecessary creases and distortions that will be difficult to remove later. Dry alpaca clothing and accessories at room temperature, away from a warm radiator, and only put them in the closet once they're completely dry.
Additional care for alpaca wool products
Alpaca wool is a durable material, but like any other material, it can pill or fluff over time, and this is a completely natural process. The finer the wool, the more likely this is to happen, so to maintain the aesthetic appearance of, for example, our alpaca headband , these imperfections should be removed regularly. How do you do this? You can carefully use regular scissors, but a safer and faster solution is to purchase a special wool shaver, which usually costs a few zlotys. This is a great tool that will make your wool hats and clothes look like new in just a few minutes. However, do this only when dry, and try not to press too hard on the shaver to avoid cutting the threads unnecessarily.
If alpaca wool could talk...
If alpaca wool could talk, it would surely tell you to wash it infrequently. As mentioned at the very beginning, it's a material resistant to dirt, and if it does appear, it won't penetrate very deeply into the fiber's structure. To refresh your wool wardrobe, start by simply airing it out outdoors, perhaps on humid days or in a steamy bathroom. Remember to thoroughly dry all items after each treatment before reusing them or storing them away.
