Alpaca Garment Care Instructions
Directions below are intended to assist you in properly washing, drying, and storing your alpaca garments. Please call or write for further information.
Washing:
Hand washing is the best method, and is recommended as the best choice of washing. Remember the thing that causes wool products to shrink and/or felt (band or mass together) is temperature change and agitation while wet. So, the greater the temperature change and/or agitation the greater the risk of shrinking and felting. Machine washing can be somewhat riskier, so use this method at your discretion. A delicate wash and lower temperature setting is generally less risky.
Hand washing:
Water Temperature: Cool - 85 ° F maximum
Products: Do not use chlorine bleach. Woolite is not recommended.
Drying:
We do not recommend using a dryer. If you choose to risk to do so, use a delicate or fluff low temperature setting, and only leave the product in the dryer for a very short period of time.
By Hand: Remove any excess water carefully. Avoid agitation by twisting and wringling. Dry the product in a flat position, and out of sunlight. Some reshaping to the original dimensions may be necessary. Remove wrinkles and straighten seams by hand. Do not use a brush. After the product has dried, you may touch it up with a cold iron.
Dry Cleaning:
If you have a matching set outfit, we recommend that you clean them all at the same time to avoid color changes after the washing process. Ask the cleaner to use a fresh solvent in low heat without tumbling. Also inform the cleaner of any spots or stains. When in doubt, use a cleaner that has experience with alpaca.
Storing to Preserve:
Make sure the item is completely dry before storage. The second major consideration is the protection against moths. Some ideas include placing items in cedar chests, plastic zip-lock container, and plastic tubs. Sachets of dried lavender can also be helpful. We do not recommend using mothballs.
Top Knot'ch Alpacas & More
5398 Altenwald Road, Waynesboro, PA 17268
Phone: 717.263.8566 Email: topknotchalpacas@hotmail.com