Alpaca is one of the most durable natural fibres on earth — but like all fine textiles, it rewards a little care. Whether you’ve just bought your first pair of alpaca socks or you’ve had a Chetwyn throw for years, this guide covers everything you need to keep your alpaca looking and feeling its best.
The Golden Rules
Before we get into specifics, three principles apply to all alpaca products:
- Cold water only. Heat is the enemy of alpaca fibre — it causes felting (irreversible matting) and shrinkage.
- Gentle handling. Alpaca has no scales (unlike wool), which makes it naturally resistant to felting — but agitation in hot water can still cause damage.
- Lay flat to dry. Never hang wet alpaca. The weight of water will stretch the fibre out of shape.
Washing Alpaca Socks
Alpaca socks are more robust than most people expect — the fibre’s natural resilience means they can handle regular washing without losing their shape or softness.
- Machine wash: cool or cold cycle, gentle/delicate setting, inside a mesh laundry bag
- Hand wash: lukewarm water with a small amount of gentle wool wash — our Eucalan delicate wash is ideal as it requires no rinsing
- Drying: lay flat or hang by the toe — never tumble dry on high heat
- Frequency: alpaca’s natural antimicrobial properties mean socks stay fresher longer than cotton — you don’t need to wash after every wear
Washing Throws and Blankets
Our alpaca throws are designed to last decades with proper care.
- Spot clean first: for small marks, a damp cloth with a drop of Eucalan is usually sufficient
- Hand wash: submerge in cool water with a gentle wool wash, press gently — never wring or twist
- Machine wash: if your machine has a wool or delicate cycle with cold water, use a large mesh bag and the lowest spin speed
- Drying: lay flat on a clean towel, reshape while damp, and allow to air dry away from direct sunlight or heat
- Between washes: air your throw regularly — alpaca breathes well and rarely needs frequent washing
Washing Scarves, Wraps, and Knitwear
Fine knitwear and scarves require the most gentle approach.
- Hand wash only for fine or baby alpaca pieces — cool water, minimal agitation
- Use our Alpaca & Wool Refresh spray between washes to freshen and deodorise without wetting the garment
- Drying: always lay flat — never hang, as wet knitwear will stretch irreversibly under its own weight
- Blocking: if a knitted piece loses its shape, re-wet gently, reshape by hand, and pin flat to dry
Dealing With Pilling
Pilling is a natural characteristic of short-fibre alpaca and is not a sign of poor quality — it simply means the shorter fibres are working their way to the surface. It typically reduces after the first few washes.
- Remove pills with a fabric comb or a dedicated pill shaver — never pull them off by hand
- Pilling is most common in high-friction areas (underarms, cuffs, where a bag strap sits)
- Our longer-staple yarns and tightly knitted products pill less than loosely woven pieces
Storage
- Fold, don’t hang. Hanging alpaca garments causes shoulder distortion over time.
- Clean before storing. Moths are attracted to body oils and food residue, not clean fibre.
- Use cedar or lavender as a natural moth deterrent — avoid mothballs, which can damage fibre and leave an odour.
- Breathable storage: use cotton bags or pillowcases rather than plastic, which traps moisture.
A Note on Felted Products
Our felted insoles and felt slippers are already felted — the fibres are intentionally matted together. Spot clean only with a damp cloth and mild soap. Do not submerge or machine wash.
The Right Products Make It Easy
We stock the care products we use ourselves. Our Eucalan no-rinse delicate wash is our go-to for socks and throws — a small amount goes a long way and there’s no rinsing required. Our Alpaca & Wool Refresh spray is perfect for freshening garments between wears. Both are available in our garment care collection.
Treat your alpaca well and it will outlast almost anything else in your wardrobe. That’s not a promise — it’s just the nature of the fibre.
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