Frequently asked questions

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions. We hope you find the answer to your question here! However, if you have a question that is not covered, please contact us.

Washing instructions

If the knit garment doesn’t freshen up by hanging it outside to air, and/or local stain removal does not help, it is time to wash it by hand:

  1. Pour cool or cold water (about 20 ° C) into a sink.
  2. Mix a small amount of soap suitable for wool fibers (e.g. white Marseille soap) with the water.
  3. Squeeze the product gently, allowing the water to pass through the knit.
    • Avoid rubbing.
    • Avoid wringing.
  4. Change the water  – make sure the temperature remains the same – and rinse the product by squeezing it carefully in the fresh water.
  5. Drain the water and place the product on a towel. Roll the product inside the towel. For faster drying you can press the roll to get excess water off the product.
  6. Finally, shape the knit and dry it on a flat surface at room temperature – to avoid stretching, do not hang!

In order to keep your valuable alpaca garment in good condition and looking beautiful for years to come, hang it outside to air regularly, gently remove small stains, and wash the garment only when needed following the washing instructions.

Do Alpa’s products pill?

All wool products pill to some extent, but alpaca wool generally has the best pilling resistance compared to other wool types, thanks to its special fibre.

Alpaca wool fibres are very long, which means that fewer individual fibres rise from the surface of the knit. Because of that, bundles are not formed as easily as with shorter fibre materials.

The surface of the alpaca wool fibre is also very smooth and less scaly than the fibres in other wool types, which means that the fibres do not stick to each other easily. That’s why the alpaca knits tend to look very good and sharp even after a lot of use.

The more tightly knitted the product, the better it will last without pilling. We put focus on the knitting density and knitting structures to ensure long lasting products.

The darkest gray and black coloured knits are slightly less resistant to pilling due to the longer dyeing time of the yarn. However, you can keep the product looking good with some maintenance e.g. with knitwear brush and pill trimming. All the other excellent qualities of alpaca wool still remain in these garments.