Caring For Alpaca or Merino Wool Clothing

Alpaca and, merino wool are eco friendly clothing options that require special care. These directions will help you maintain the longevity of these textiles while doing so in as eco-friendly a manner as possible.

For these types of fabric we always recommend gentle hand washing. Gently hand wash in cool water with a mild detergent having a PH below 7. A mild liquid castile soap such as Dr. Bronner's baby soap is a great choice. An eco-friendly baby shampoo is another good choice. A harsh, lye based soap with pH of 8 or above can strip the natural oils from these fibers. Never use chlorine bleach as it will also strip out the natural oils as well as weaken the fibers.

Gently press to remove excess water. The best way to do this is to lay the garment out on a dry towel. Ease the garment into its proper shape and then roll up the towel to gently squeeze out excess moisture. Never wring or twist! Dry flat, reshaping it to its original dimensions. If you have a spare bed such as in a guest room, laying it out flat on the bed to dry and reshape is a perfect solution. Smooth by hand while wet to remove wrinkles and straighten the seams and facings.

Once dry, touching up with a cool iron is fine. If you have a spill such as ink, red wine, chocolate, coffee, etc, clean the stained area immediately. The garment should be wetted under cold water and soak the stained area with a mixture of lemon juice and water or vinegar and water. Allow to soak as required and clean the area with a mild detergent. When applying detergent or stain remover, you should always apply to a small, unnoticeable area first to test for color fastness.

Once your Alpaca or Merino wool garment is dry fold it carefully to avoid a center crease. You should never hang an Alpaca or Merino wool sweater as it's weight will stretch the garment out of shape. Instead, lay these garments flat in a drawer or on a closet shelf.

If long term storage is required we suggest placing Alpaca or Merino wool in a shirt box, pillow case or clean paper bag as these options protect the fabrics from dust and pests while allowing air circulation. If moths are a concern, we suggest natural repellents such as cedar chips or lavender.

There is nothing quite like the exotic feel of an Alpaca or Merino wool garment. Their ability to hold in body heat, wick moisture and allow your skin to breathe are legendary qualities of these fabrics. The hypoallergenic feature of Alpaca is a great quality for sensitive individuals. But these natural fibre garments can also be quite an investment. However, if you follow the instructions in this article, you will get to enjoy your investment for a very long time!


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