How to properly care for your alpaca sweater
By just looking at it and not wearing it! đ No, joking aside â high-quality alpaca sweaters simply need the right care to stay beautiful for years.
My oldest alpaca sweater is now 12 years old â and it still fits perfectly (partly because I haven't gained much weight). If you treat your sweaters properly, you can wear them for just as long.
Proper storage: Goodbye moths!
It's best to store your alpaca sweaters in a dry place and keep your closet moth-free . Moths are a topic in themselvesâthere are countless household tips to combat them. Here are a few tried-and-true tricks:
- Place cedar wood balls in the closet
- Pack airtight if you do not wear it for a long time
- Ventilate regularly , as fresh air keeps moths away
Personally, I keep it simple: I give my closet a little fresh air every now and thenâthat's all I do. And my sweaters are still safe.
How often should you wash your sweater?
In short: As rarely as possible! Alpaca wool is naturally dirt- and odor-resistant. As long as your sweater isn't visibly dirty, it's perfectly fine to air it out regularly in the fresh air.
Hand wash â gentle & careful
If you do have to wash your sweater, please do so by hand . I don't trust the wool or silk wash cycles on modern washing machines. A few rules for perfect care:
- Use lukewarm water (max. 30°C)
- Use a special wool detergent
- Rinse very gently , without vigorous rubbing or wringing
- Let it dry lying down so that it retains its shape
This way your favorite sweater stays soft, elegant and durable.
Cheers,
Henrik
