People see “alpaca” and think it must be fragile or high-maintenance. Truth is, alpaca gear is easier to care for than you’d expect. You don’t have to hand-wash everything in a bucket—just use some common sense, and it’ll last for years.
Start with the basics: alpaca doesn’t like hot water. Cold or lukewarm wash cycles are the way to go. Treat it like a tool you rely on—you wouldn’t leave your best wrench out in the rain, so don’t cook your socks and sweaters in boiling water.
Detergent matters, too. Skip the harsh chemicals and heavy fragrances. A mild soap is plenty strong to clean alpaca fibers without stripping them down. American Made Alpaca recommends cold water, gentle soap, and then laying the clothes flat to dry for items like scarves, hats, and shawls. Simple as that.
Things like socks are super simple. Wash them in the washer on cold and then they can be used in the dryer on low. The dryer is where most people mess up. Cranking the heat can break fibers and wreck elasticity. On low the socks do just fine.
For bulkier alpaca items—like sweaters, scarves, or blankets—you can hand-wash if you want more control, or take them to a dry cleaner if you really want to play it safe. But for socks, hats, and gloves, the washing machine on gentle is perfectly fine.
One more tip: flip the socks inside out before washing. It cuts down on fuzz and protects the outside knit. That small habit keeps them looking new a whole lot longer.
So yes, alpaca clothes can handle a machine wash. Just keep the water cool, go easy on the soap, and dry them flat or on low. Care for them right, and they’ll keep you warm and comfortable season after season.