Baby alpaca is more forgiving than its reputation suggests.
The instructions on most alpaca products say "dry clean only." This is not wrong — dry cleaning is the safest option, and for a piece you intend to keep for twenty years, the occasional professional cleaning is worth it. But it is not the only option. Understanding what the fiber is makes caring for it less mysterious.
What the fiber needs
Baby alpaca fiber is naturally dirt-resistant and odor-resistant. The same hollow structure that makes it warm also makes it less hospitable to the things that accumulate in textile fibers. A throw used regularly — draped over a sofa, pulled across a bed — does not need to be cleaned as frequently as you might assume.
What the fiber does not tolerate well: heat, agitation, and alkaline detergents. These are the enemies. Heat causes the scales on the fiber surface to interlock and shrink. Agitation causes the same interlocking. Alkaline detergents — standard laundry detergent — strip the fiber's natural properties.
Remove those three risks and you can clean baby alpaca at home.
Between cleanings: airing
Before washing anything, try airing.
Hang the throw outdoors in shade — never in direct sunlight, which degrades fiber and can shift color — for several hours. Moving air releases odors that have settled into the fiber and refreshes the texture without any water contact. This works for the majority of "it needs refreshing" situations that don't actually require washing.
This is the method the Peruvian weavers use between their own washings. It is simple and it works.
Hand washing at home
When airing isn't enough:
Water temperature: Cold. Not cool — cold. Hot water causes felting (irreversible matting of the fiber).
Detergent: Wool wash or baby shampoo. A pH-neutral, lanolin-free formula. A small amount — less than you think. The Eucalan brand works well; it requires no rinsing.
Method:
- Fill a basin with cold water and a small amount of detergent.
- Submerge the throw and press it gently into the water. Do not agitate, twist, or wring.
- Let it soak for 10–15 minutes.
- Drain the basin and refill with cold clean water.
- Press the throw gently to release soap. Repeat until water runs clear.
- Press — do not wring — excess water from the throw. A towel can help absorb moisture: lay the throw flat on a clean towel, roll them together, press.
- Lay flat to dry on a clean surface. Do not hang — wet baby alpaca will stretch under its own weight.
The process takes about 20 minutes of active time. The drying takes several hours.
What to avoid
Machine washing: Even a gentle cycle generates enough agitation to felt the fiber. A single machine wash can permanently alter the texture and dimensions of a baby alpaca throw. It is not recoverable.
Tumble drying: The heat and agitation together are worse than either alone. Air dry only, flat.
Hanging while wet: As noted above — the weight of the wet fiber will cause stretching that cannot be reversed.
Direct sunlight: UV exposure bleaches and weakens fiber over time. Dry in shade.
Ironing: The throw doesn't need it and the heat risks damage. If wrinkles bother you, lay it flat under a slightly damp cloth with a warm iron held an inch above — the steam is enough.
Storage
When storing for warmer months: fold, don't hang. Hanging stretches the fiber at the fold points over time. A breathable cotton bag or a cedar chest is ideal. Cedar naturally deters moths, which are the only real pest concern with natural fiber textiles.
Pilling
Well-processed baby alpaca resists pilling. If you do see small fiber balls forming on the surface — typically from friction against upholstery — a fabric shaver (de-piller) removes them cleanly. This is not a sign of damage; it is a minor maintenance task. After de-pilling, the fiber underneath is unchanged.
The honest summary
Dry clean when in doubt. Air between cleanings. Hand wash with cold water and wool detergent when necessary. Keep away from heat. Lay flat to dry. Store folded in a breathable bag.
Done correctly, a baby alpaca throw requires cleaning once or twice a year and lasts decades.
The Paqari throw is 100% baby alpaca — built for a long life. These care instructions apply to it exactly.
