If you are the happy owner of a shiny, soft, and above all, NEW alpaca woolen item, the idea that you can ruin it without proper care must be scary to you. So, let’s see, does alpaca wool shrink?
Alpaca wool garments can shrink if not cared for properly. Heat, warm or fluctuating water temperatures, and friction can cause shrinkage, felting, or loss of shape. Handle with care to maintain their beauty and fit.
As long as you know exactly how to wash, dry, and store alpaca, it will not shrink out-of-the-blue. However, there are things that can go terribly wrong that will ruin an alpaca wool garment. Fortunately, they are easily preventable with the tips you find below.
How Do You Wash Alpaca Wool Without the Risk of Shrinking It?
The biggest threat to alpaca wool garments shrinking is improper washing. Alpaca wool needs careful washing, and failing to follow the right instructions can lead to shrinkage. Handle with care to keep your items in top shape.
When you wash an alpaca woolen item, keep the following tips in mind:
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Hand wash alpaca woolen items: DO NOT USE A WASHING MACHINE!
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Don’t even think about using the “hand wash” option on the washing machine.
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Wash alpaca wool with cold (lukewarm at most) water.
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Wash alpaca wool with a constant temperature (washing and rinsing).
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During the washing process, do not wring, twist or rub alpaca woolen garments.
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Do not put alpaca wool in a dryer.
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Do not dry alpaca wool on a heater or other source of heat.
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Let alpaca wool dry on a flat surface, between two dry towels.
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During the drying process, do not wring, twist or rub alpaca woolen garments.
Washing alpaca woolen garments properly is the best way to prevent your favorite scarf, sweater or blanket from shrinking.
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For the full instructions on how to wash an alpaca woolen item, click the link to see the step-by-step guide I wrote about it: How Do You Wash Alpaca Woolen Items?
Does Water Damage Alpaca Wool Items?
Alpaca wool is sensitive to water, not because water itself damages it, but due to the weight it absorbs. As alpaca wool gets wet, the fibers expand and stretch. When it dries, the wool shrinks back to a smaller size. It's just how wool behaves.
The stretching and shrinking of alpaca wool are due to the texture of the fibers. Alpaca wool has scale-like fibers, which are actually hair! These scales protect the core, which is what makes alpaca wool warm. They also provide flexibility, allowing the wool to stretch and move comfortably.
This stretchiness is great for comfort and helps garments keep their shape. However, for an item to maintain its form, it also needs memory (or resilience)—meaning it should return to its original shape after being stretched. Otherwise, you’d end up with a sweater that doesn't bounce back into place, which wouldn’t look too flattering…
So back to the water problem… The problem arises when alpaca wool is exposed to lots of water. Water stretches out the fibers as they absorb it. When it dries, the fibers try to bounce back to their original shape, but sometimes they overdo it, shrinking to a smaller size.
It’s all about wool memory: during production, fibers are slightly extended when spun into yarn, and when wet, they naturally try to return to their original form, which might not match the size you bought.
Alpaca wool has less memory than other types of wool, meaning it’s less likely to shrink back to its original size. This makes alpaca wool slightly less prone to shrinking compared to other wool fibers. However, improper care—especially involving water and heat—can still cause alpaca wool to shrink.
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Stretching it too much? Read my article about alpaca wool’s elasticity to learn more details: Does Alpaca Wool Stretch (Coming soon!)?
Why Does Agitation Cause Alpaca Wool to Shrink?
Many people assume it’s fine to wash alpaca wool in a washing machine—after all, there’s a "hand wash" program, right?! But the real issue isn’t just water temperature (most machines can handle cold water). The real villain? Agitation.
Even on a gentle cycle, the back-and-forth motion causes friction. This friction makes the alpaca hairs "jump out" of the spun yarn, disrupting the structure. Since alpaca wool is technically hair, and each yarn contains countless individual hairs, too much movement causes these hairs to rebel.
And nobody likes aggressive hair—it pokes out, makes the wool prickly, and can lead to felting or shrinkage. This happens because the tiny scales on alpaca fibers rub against each other. If they interlock more than they should, the fibers tangle and shrink. Your garment now turns into a matted fabric, and with that, it loses its elasticity… Which makes the garment tighter (and thus smaller).
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Bottom line: Avoid the washing machine if you want to keep your alpaca wool soft, smooth, and happy.
Why Does Heat Cause Alpaca Wool to Shrink?
Heat is a major enemy of alpaca wool. When exposed to direct heat—whether from hot water, a dryer, a heater, or even direct sunlight—alpaca fibers can be irreversibly damaged. Here’s why:
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Fiber Tightening: Heat causes the fibers to contract and lose their natural elasticity. Once tightened, they can’t bounce back to their original shape, leading to shrinkage.
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Brittle Fibers: Heat weakens and dries out the fibers, making them fragile and prone to breakage.
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Shape Distortion: If alpaca wool is dried unevenly, it can warp and lose its intended form.
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Felting: Just like with agitation, heat encourages the scales on the alpaca fibers to interlock, making the wool rough, stiff, and less elastic.
How to Avoid Heat Damage
Hand wash alpaca wool in cold or lukewarm water—no machines, no shortcuts. Dry it flat, between two dry towels, and keep it away from heat sources and direct sunlight. Gentle care = long-lasting softness and shape.
What Is the Best Way to Prevent Alpaca Wool From Shrinking?
If you’re starting to think alpaca wool is high-maintenance—relax! The truth is, you barely need to wash it at all.
Alpaca fiber is naturally breathable, odor-resistant, and stain-resistant, meaning most of the time, you can just let it be. Here’s how to keep your alpaca garments in top shape:
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Air It Out: Freshen up your alpaca wool by simply airing it in a well-ventilated space.
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Spot Clean: If you spill something, rinse the area gently with cold running water—no harsh scrubbing needed.
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Wash Sparingly: Only hand wash if absolutely necessary, using cold or lukewarm water and gentle handling.
Honestly, if “do nothing” is the best care method, alpaca wool might be one of the easiest fabrics to maintain.
Want effortless luxury in your wardrobe? Check out the webshop for premium 100% alpaca wool products—low maintenance, high style.
