How to Care for Your Baby Alpaca Jumper

There is a persistent myth about baby alpaca knitwear, and it costs people money: that it needs to be washed regularly. It does not. Baby alpaca is naturally anti-bacterial and odour-resistant. A jumper worn twice a week through a full Australian winter might go to the dry cleaner once or twice in that whole season. The single most useful thing you can do is wash it less.

But when it does need cleaning — and it will — the method matters. This guide covers jumpers, cardigans and coats. If you have a shawl or wrap, the care is different and we’ve written about it separately.

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How often should you dry clean a baby alpaca jumper?

Once or twice per season for regular wear — that is the honest answer. If you wore it twice a week for twelve weeks, one dry clean at the end of the season (or one at the midpoint if it needs it) is plenty.

The single most important habit is airing between wears. When you take it off, hang it briefly by the shoulders near an open window or outside in the shade. Let it breathe for an hour before folding it away. Fresh air removes most of what accumulates with wear — body warmth, ambient smell, moisture — without water or chemicals touching the fibre. If you do this consistently, you will rarely need to clean it more than twice a season.

Can you hand wash a baby alpaca jumper? No — here’s why.

With alpaca shawls, careful hand washing works because a shawl is a single flat layer with no seams or internal structure. A jumper is different. The ribbing at the cuffs and hem is under tension. The shoulders and side seams are load-bearing. When a garment this dense is fully saturated with water, gravity pulls on the wet fibre and the construction can distort — shoulders drop, waists drop, ribbing stretches. Drying a fully soaked jumper flat takes hours, and protein fibres held wet for a long time are vulnerable.

Dry clean your jumper, cardigan or coat. Our full care guidance is on the baby alpaca care page — including what to look for in a dry cleaner (brief: any cleaner that handles cashmere will handle alpaca correctly).

Can you machine wash a baby alpaca jumper?

No. Heat and agitation cause felting — the fibre scales lock together permanently and the garment becomes dense and misshapen. This is irreversible. Even a cold delicate cycle carries enough agitation to cause it. Do not machine wash any alpaca garment.

What to do between dry cleans

Air it after every wear. Hang the jumper briefly to air before folding (just to breathe, not as a storage method — see below). An hour near an open window is enough.

Spot treat small marks immediately. A damp cloth and light pressure lifts most surface marks before they set. Work from the outside of the mark inward to avoid spreading. Then lay the piece flat and let it dry completely before folding.

Shake and smooth. Fold it with the same orientation each time to prevent permanent creases forming along unfamiliar lines.

What if my alpaca jumper gets wet?

Take it off carefully and lay it flat on a clean, dry towel immediately. Smooth it back into its original shape while it is still wet — this is when you have the most control. Replace the towel underneath once it has absorbed the moisture.

Keep it away from radiators, heated airers and hair dryers. Direct heat shrinks alpaca fibres. Direct sun causes fading and can also dry the surface unevenly. Room temperature, indoors, out of direct sunlight, is what you want. Depending on the weight, a jumper or coat may take a full day or more to dry completely. Do not fold or store it until it is dry all the way through.

How to store baby alpaca knitwear

Fold it — never hang it. The weight of baby alpaca fibre will stretch the shoulders of a garment over time if it hangs. Fold it in thirds along the body and store it flat on a shelf, or stack pieces carefully.

Use a breathable cotton bag or pillowcase. Sealed plastic bags trap moisture and prevent the fibre from breathing — if any residual dampness is present, it can cause mildew.

Add cedar or dried lavender. Moths target clean protein fibre, not dirty clothing — which is why they often appear in good knitwear rather than cheap synthetics. Cedar blocks or dried lavender sachets deter them without chemicals. Replace cedar every few months as the scent fades.

Check on stored pieces monthly. A five-second inspection is enough. Catching moth activity early limits damage to one piece rather than several.

What about pilling?

Pilling is normal on any protein fibre — alpaca, cashmere, merino. It happens where fabric rubs against fabric at friction points: under the arms, at the cuffs and at the hem where a bag strap or jacket sits. Baby alpaca pills less than standard alpaca or wool because the finer fibre is less likely to tangle, but some pilling is inevitable with regular wear.

A fabric comb — also called a cashmere comb or de-pilling comb — removes pills cleanly without pulling the underlying fibre. Use light, short strokes. Do not press hard or drag across the fabric. Five minutes with a comb leaves the garment looking new again. Do not use a razor or tape — both damage the surface.

A note on composition: always check your care label

Not all Orange Inca knitwear is identical. The Turtleneck Jumper is 89% alpaca / 11% nylon — the nylon adds structure and durability to the rib. The care rule for garments does not change (dry clean), but it is worth knowing what your specific piece is made from. Your care label is the final word on your piece — it reflects the exact yarn used in that garment.

If you are ever unsure, treat it as you would the most delicate item in the range: cold, gentle, no heat.

The short version

Dry clean your jumpers, cardigans and coats. Air them between wears. Store them folded. Use a fabric comb for pilling. That is genuinely all it takes to keep a well-made alpaca garment in good condition for years.

For more on baby alpaca care — including small accessories and shawls — visit the baby alpaca care page. And if you have a shawl rather than a garment, the shawl care guide is a different read — hand washing is an option there.

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Frequently asked questions

Can you wash a baby alpaca jumper in the washing machine?

No. The heat and agitation cause felting, which permanently locks the fibres together and distorts the garment. This cannot be undone. Always dry clean alpaca knitwear.

How often should you dry clean a baby alpaca jumper?

Once or twice per season for regular wear. If you air it after every wear and spot treat small marks as they happen, once at the end of the season is usually enough.

What happens if an alpaca jumper gets rained on?

Lay it flat on a clean towel and reshape it while it is still wet. Keep it away from heat sources and let it air dry at room temperature. It will be fine.

Can baby alpaca knitwear go in the dryer?

No. Never tumble dry alpaca — the heat and tumbling will cause irreversible felting and shrinkage.

Why is my baby alpaca jumper pilling?

Pilling is normal. It happens at friction points where fabric rubs against fabric. A fabric or cashmere comb removes pills without damaging the underlying fibre.

How should I store baby alpaca knitwear at the end of the season?

Fold it and store flat — never hang it. Use a breathable cotton bag or pillowcase. Add cedar or lavender to deter moths. Clean it before storing: moths prefer clean fibre.