About Alpaca
Alpaca is related to the camel but belongs to the Llama family in South America. It is a long,
lustrous fibre. Its colour can be black, brown, beige or white.
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Common Alpaca Fabrics
Alpaca is often blended with other hair fibres to reduce the cost of each item.
Recommended Uses
It is often made into chunky, bulky loose knits, and also into domestic furnishings (such as
blankets and wall hangings).
Properties
It is thought to be stronger and more insulating than wool.
Care
Use the recommended soap or laundry powder and rinse well. When washing alpaca, DO
NOT RUB IT VIGOROUSLY, or this will felt (or matt) the alpaca, causing it to shrink
dramatically. Gently scrunch (DO NOT WRING) excess water out.
Lay alpaca garments flat on a towel out of the sun. You must, when laying it flat, press it
into the shape and size you want (as it will dry in this shape). Because alpaca is weaker
when wet, it's easy to overstretch or distort the shape of the garment.
Alpaca is best ironed slightly damp, using a damp cloth or steam. Always use a press cloth (a
layer of fabric between the iron and the alpaca) to prevent a ‘shine' on the fabric. Use a
medium heat.
Bleaching is not recommended unless it is specific ‘wool' bleach.
Alpaca dry-cleans well however there is no guarantee it will not shrink.
Store alpaca completely dry, making sure it has been dry-cleaned or laundered properly.
You can store alpaca in plastic bags and it is recommended to use moth balls or
naphthalene. Air these garments frequently.
INFORMATION REFERENCED FROM: Textiles for Modern Living. 5th Edition. By E.P.G Gohl