Can You Machine Wash Alpaca Blankets? 17 Things To Know

Source: alpacashopaustralia.com.au

Alpacas are a species of camelid mammal from South America. Alpaca blankets are made out of the fur of these divine animals. It is light in weight yet easily manageable material because of its weightless feature. Alpaca blankets are made of alpaca fur and are 40% warmer than sheep’s wool.

There are specific ways to identify authentic alpaca material. Touch and verify whether it is cool to feel. Typically the alpaca clothes are made of fine material but slightly heavier than synthetic. If the inside of the garment is soft, like a brushed acrylic, then they are luxury alpaca blankets.

These yarns absorb moisture and never soak dust or odor, making them resistant to foul smell and dust particles. These fabrics are naturally insulated so that it does not need to add extra material to enhance the warmth.

Small herding communities in the Andes farms the Peruvian Alpacas, which are 3800 ft. above sea level. So their fur has a natural adaptation to deal with the harshest cold weather on the planet.

Why Buy Alpaca Blankets Or Throws?

Source: alpacaclothingperu.com

Alpaca blankets have many benefits, while a woolen blanket is less worthy. The quality of the fiber is the main reason that differentiates the product from others.

  1. These blankets last long if cared for properly.
  2. It helps the body to breathe when the atmosphere is hot and retains the body heat while the weather is cold.
  3. It is lighter and softer than woolen blankets.
  4. It is a sustainable product yet eco-friendly since it turns to the soil after disposing of.

Peruvian Andes is the authentic supplier of the best alpaca yarns. Exclusive alpaca  blankets and throws are popular with fashion-conscious groups of consumers. Even though garments made of alpaca fiber are delicate and need extra care while washing and drying, it is getting enough attention because of their varied benefits.

Upgrading Lifestyle With Alpaca

  • It is an excellent accessory for interior designers to lay on a living room sofa to increase the classic look of the space.
  • After a long day’s tiring schedule, finally, when one is off to bed, wrapping up in an alpaca blanket gives utter relaxation.
  • Gifting blankets or throws made of these fibers to someone special would be a memorable one for them.
  • It would be the perfect partner for the weekend picnic since it is lighter and not itchy.
  • It can also be a great companion for road trips that keep one as warm as home.
  • These blankets get folded into smaller versions bearing significantly less room in a cabin bag, so they are a fantastic accompaniment for airplane travel.

How To Take Care Of Alpaca Blankets

Source: bambi.com.au

Usually, the weavers of the product recommend dry cleaning to maintain the alpaca blanket to preserve the beautiful weaves as it is. These blankets need minimal cleaning because of their natural dust and odor-resistant features. There are several things to be aware of if you wash your alpaca blanket at home.

  1. Follow the washing instructions given by the brand strictly.
  2. Since it is dust and odor resistant, laying it out in the sun for a few minutes will refresh the material immediately.
  3. To clean an alpaca throw or blanket, one should dry clean it.
  4. If the material is hand-washed, use a gentle soap that keeps the garment soft and well-maintained.
  5. Abrasive soap may damage the alpaca threads, so use no harsh liquid detergent to keep the it naturally shining.
  6. Do not squeeze out water from the blankets to dry because this causes damage to the weaves and threads, stealing away the beauty of the blanket.
  7. After washing the blanket, dry it on a flat surface.
  8. For better drying, one can keep it on a dry towel so that the extra moisture is captured.
  9. Please do not use a dryer or any other equipment which passes artificial heat on the blanket, makes it shrink, and damages its elegance.
  10. It is washable in a machine if only it has adjustable settings for delicate clothes.
  11. Choose a washing mode in a machine for delicate clothes and wash in a non-aggressive version.
  12. Do not use warm or hot water to clean the alpaca blankets. This cleaning process will shrink the material very severely.
  13. Never spin the garments made of these fibers in a machine dryer. It spun off the thread leaving the blanket unattractive.
  14. While storing the blankets or throws, please keep them in a damp or moisture-free area.
  15. For better storage purposes, seal the garments in a plastic bag to avoid harm caused by the moist surrounding.
  16. Use lavender or cedar instead of mothballs.
  17. Restrict the blanket to 15 minutes of sun exposure because it may fade the product quickly.

Market Review Of Alpaca Blankets

Source: thespruce.com

Alpaca blankets are highly comfortable ones made of natural fibers. Its look and feel have increased its demand and craze in the textile and fashion industries. The need for this wonder fiber is increasing in the fashion and textile industry, which explains the awareness of its benefits and quality in the market.

The fiber market is growing as alpaca fiber is highly in demand as the fashion industry is using its fleece to produce many expensive accessories and attires. It is expected to gain a majority share of the global fashion industry for its natural trait as an eco-friendly material in this plastic and silicon-dominated world.

According to market research, alpaca clothing has an estimated growth of 3.4 billion USD as per 2024 data. The forecasted value of this clothing industry is likely to grow to 4.7 billion USD by the end of 2024.

Source: nimble-needles.com

Conclusion

Alpacas are less in breeding because of their habitation. They live in high altitudes and cannot survive much in plain regions, resulting in product scarcity. The fiber supply is less compared to its demand. This uneven demand and supply equation makes these products expensive. The comfort level of the material is out of the world, which seized the attention of the textile industry.