How do I wash alpaca wool?

Since you invest a lot of love and time in self-knitted clothing made of alpaca wool, these pieces of jewelry should be able to be worn for a long time. That's why it's important to wash the wool gently and use the right detergent.

1. HAND WASHING

Wool is sensitive to high temperatures or
strong temperature differences. The water should not exceed
lukewarm. Mix it with a detergent for wool. We recommend Alpacare detergent exclusively for alpaca wool. As soon as you have placed the knitted item in the water, the fibers must completely absorb the water and detergent.
Fabric softener damages wool because it causes the fibers to stick together.
2. WASH CORRECTLY

Move the knitted item carefully like a baby in water to wash out all the dirt particles. Do not rub the wool as this will damage the soft fibres. No rubbing, no wringing!
Always ensure a constant temperature when rinsing
of water so that the delicate fibers do not mat. Wool hates temperature differences.
Rinse the knitted item long enough to ensure that the Alpacare detergent is rinsed out of the fibres.
3. PRESS OUT

Carefully lift your knitted item out of the rinse with both hands from below so that nothing hangs down and gently squeeze it. Then spread it out loosely on a prepared towel and roll the item in the towel. Now you can squeeze out the excess water. This will be absorbed by the towel. Before the knitted item is protected by the towel, you should never wring it out or squeeze it vigorously, as this could damage the fibers.
4. DRY CORRECTLY

Place your knitted item on a large towel and spread it out on the clothes rack so that the knitted item does not hang down between the lines. You should never hang your alpaca wool clothing to dry, as this will cause deformation and unsightly bumps. Never put your knitted items in the tumble dryer - unless you want to felt them on purpose.
5. IRON WITH STEAM

Most of the time you don't need to iron your knitted item. It will keep its shape when dried flat and will not wrinkle. If the cuff rolls up, you can gently iron it with a
damp cloth placed between them. It is best
Use a gauge sample to check whether the wool loses tension when steamed with the iron.

Alpakawolle in Knäuel in verschiedenen Farben

Important tips

Avoid washing too often.
Wear a T-shirt under winter sweaters so that the sweater does not need to be washed as often.
Alpaca is also naturally dirt-repellent and, to a certain extent, self-cleaning.
Just leave your alpaca items outside in the fresh air overnight and the next morning your knitted item will be fragrant again
fresh. This also allows the fibers to regain their natural moisture.
In the worst case, dried out wool becomes brittle.

What is the best way to store alpaca wool to protect it from pests?

Proper storage of alpaca wool is crucial to protect it from pests such as
To protect against moths and maintain their quality, here are some tips:

1. AIRTIGHT CONTAINERS
- Boxes or containers: Use airtight boxes or containers made of plastic or metal. These prevent
  that moths get to the wool.
- Glasses: Glasses are also good because they are transparent and allow you to keep an eye on the condition of the wool.
2. NATURAL LUKE REPELLENTS
- Lavender: Place dried lavender flowers or lavender sachets in the containers. The scent will keep moths away.
- Cedarwood: Cedarwood chips or small cedarwood blocks have a similar effect.
- Herbs: Other herbs such as rosemary or thyme can also have a deterrent effect on moths.
3. STORE IN A DRY PLACE
- Dark place: Choose a cool and dark place to store, such as a closet or dresser.
- No moisture: Moisture promotes mold growth. Make sure the storage location is dry.
4. REGULAR CHECKS
- Inspection: Check your wool supplies regularly for signs of moth infestation.
- Cleaning: Clean the containers as needed to remove dust and dirt.
5. FREEZE
- In case of infestation: If you find an infestation, you can freeze the wool for a few days. This will kill the moths and their eggs.