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Post by zoesam on Nov 15, 2020 2:50:38 GMT
Along the lines of my Merino Wool thread...do you guys wash alpaca? Machine or Hand? I got several alpaca items this week including one that's a full alpaca sweater & 2 others that are blends. They all say dry clean, of course, but aren't they really just wool? TIA.
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Shirley U Geste
Chaos Manager
Cats, cats, cats and more cats!!
Posts: 10,382
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Post by Shirley U Geste on Nov 15, 2020 3:37:06 GMT
I've hand washed several alpaca pieces & laid them flat to dry & they came out great.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 15, 2020 4:10:57 GMT
I always wash alpaca, as well as cashmere - as long as there aren't dyes that can run, it's fine. Dry cleaning sucks the life out of wool fibers IMHO, and dulls light colours. I do the same as Shirley ^^ I do use Eucalan for cashmere and Alpaca, though. Most other wool I use use my usual laundry detergent. You can use shampoo, as well.
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Post by zoesam on Nov 15, 2020 18:44:11 GMT
Thank you both! One is a giant shawl or cape, it would be a real pain to hand wash just due to size. You think I can get away with it in the machine on gentle? Old top loader.
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 15, 2020 20:27:01 GMT
I would launder in your top loader on gentle, then, but try to use extra water (extra fill) and launder it by itself - the extra water helps the item just to float around rather than agitate - wool releases dirt easily.
Right now I'm prepping a hot pink alpaca vintage sweater - I laundered it in our top loader in Eucalan with extra water.
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val2525
Chaos Manager
Posts: 30,780 
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Post by val2525 on Nov 16, 2020 2:07:20 GMT
Every time I see this thread title, I picture someone taking their pet alpaca to a pet wash station.  |
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 16, 2020 2:38:06 GMT
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Post by zoesam on Nov 16, 2020 10:07:57 GMT
I would launder in your top loader on gentle, then, but try to use extra water (extra fill) and launder it by itself - the extra water helps the item just to float around rather than agitate - wool releases dirt easily. Right now I'm prepping a hot pink alpaca vintage sweater - I laundered it in our top loader in Eucalan with extra water. Thanks! I thought it may work to manually do it in the machine. Unfortunately, I found a hole in the cape today, so that is getting returned & DH looked for the Eucalan for me at WM & they didn't have it, so I'm either gonna have to go to a fabric store or order it online. Another dumb wool question, I have a RL NWT wool skirt, ltwt & lined. It's new so not gonna clean it, but it could use a de-wrinkle. Can I steam it or will the heat hurt it? Sorry for all the questions, I've never worn wool (itchy to me) so I don't know much about it. |
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Post by zoesam on Nov 16, 2020 10:08:30 GMT
They are sooooo freaking cute!!! |
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 16, 2020 18:14:29 GMT
You can steam iron the wool.
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Post by zoesam on Nov 16, 2020 18:48:06 GMT
You can steam iron the wool. Thanks for all your help Chap! Looks like I'm going to have to order Eucalan, as neither WM or JoAnn's has it. Even tho' the gal at Joann said she was 96% sure they had it in stock. I made her go check since she clearly had no idea & they don't have it. At least I didn't go in person for no reason. |
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Post by chapeaunoir on Nov 17, 2020 0:27:06 GMT
It's a bit of a speciality product, like Restoration, so I end up just getting it on Amazon. You don't have to rinse Eucalan and it really does a wonderful job.
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Post by 57roses on Nov 17, 2020 1:21:52 GMT
I've only ordered the Eucalan online. It comes in unscented, lavender, eucalyptus and my favorite- Jasmine. The Jasmine is named Wrapture by Eucalan. I only use a partial capful if I am handwashing in the kitchen sink so a 16 oz bottle lasts awhile.
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Post by 57roses on Nov 17, 2020 1:26:18 GMT
I forgot grapefruit. They aren't overly scented.
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Post by mupcycledcouture on Nov 18, 2020 0:28:08 GMT
Every time I see this thread title, I picture someone taking their pet alpaca to a pet wash station. I am so glad I am not the only one! I hand wash alpaca yarn after knitting with it, so I would hand wash an alpaca item. |
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Post by zoesam on Nov 18, 2020 6:49:15 GMT
I forgot grapefruit. They aren't overly scented. Thank you, I was leaning toward grapefruit or unscented, but I hate the smell of wool, so I thought I might get grapefruit to help mask the scent for me. I was wondering if it was heavy, so thank you. I know of a specialty yarn shop here, where I tried (unsuccessfully) to get them to re-knit some glove liners for me & I thought to call them today, since yarn is all they do & they have it in stock, so I'm gonna stop by tomorrow. |
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