What is alpaca wool?
What is alpaca wool?
Alpaca wool, as the name suggests, comes from the alpaca (mountain lama). The wool of the alpaca is warmer and stronger than that of any other mammal. The wool is three times as strong as sheep's wool and has a good insulating quality.
Alpacas are naturally adapted to the cold and harsh winters of the Andes Mountains along the west coast of South America. The alpaca has a warm coat with an insulating core. This makes the fibre light and suitable for both summer and winter clothing.
Clothes and accessories made of alpaca wool
The wool itself is very soft, warm and itches less than regular sheep's wool. In addition, the wool is free of lanolin, which makes it also suitable for people with an allergy to this product. Alpaca wool is naturally hypoallergenic. Alpaca wool is seen as one of the most luxurious wools, comparable to mohair or cashmere. Alpaca wool is mainly used for jumpers, cardigans and shawls.
Alpaca wool washing
Wool hardly retains any odour and does not need to be washed often. Often, a little 'airing' is enough. When washing alpaca wool, it is best to do so carefully:
- Turn the garment inside out and put it in a protective protective laundry bag before putting it in the washing machine.
- Wash it on a special wool programme on your washing machine and spin at a maximum speed of 1,200 rpm or wash it by hand.
- Use a special detergent for woollens or delicate fabrics.
- Let it dry horizontally! Vertical drying on a clothes rack or line stretches the material, so you want to avoid that.
Our honestly produced Bufandy Scarves are made from alpaca wool and, due to their insulating quality, will keep you wonderfully warm in winter. We also have jumpers made with alpaca wool.
