An alpaca poncho is washed rarely, by hand, with cold water and mild detergent, without rubbing or wringing, and dried flat in the shade on a towel. If you wash it in a machine, use only a delicate cycle, with cold water, inside a mesh bag and with the buttons closed. Never use a dryer or hot water.
This guide is based on Alpaca's official care instructions for our ponchos, which are mostly 70% alpaca and 30% acrylic. If yours is from another brand, check its label first. We also have a care page with the essentials.
Before washing: does it really need washing?
The rule is to wash rarely. Often a poncho only needs air:
- Hang it on a wide hanger, in the shade and in a ventilated place.
- If it has a small stain, dampen a clean cloth with cold water and press gently on the stain. Do not rub: friction lifts the fiber.
- Wash the whole thing when it is really dirty or smells stuffy after a lot of use.
Hand washing, step by step (the best option)
- Fill a bucket or tub with cold water. No lukewarm or hot water: hot water damages the garment.
- Add a little mild detergent. One made for wool is better. Dissolve it well before putting the poncho in.
- Submerge the poncho and press with your palms. Move it calmly; do not rub or wring it.
- Rinse with cold water as many times as needed, until no bubbles remain. Press to get the water out, without wringing.
- Remove the excess water with a towel. Press the poncho against a dry towel, without wringing it, so it does not stretch from the weight of the water.
Machine washing (only if you have no other option)
- Delicate cycle.
- Cold water.
- Inside a mesh bag, with all buttons and snaps closed.
- With mild detergent.
Keep in mind that ponchos with coconut or wooden buttons (such as Cuicocha and Imbabura Flower) and those with snaps (Night Rain) have parts that can knock around inside the drum. That is why the mesh bag and closing everything matter.
How to dry it
- Spread the poncho on a dry towel, on a flat surface and in the shade.
- Smooth it with your hands so it regains its shape. You can also use a wide hanger.
- Turn it over when the top is dry, so the underside can breathe too.
- Do not use a dryer or hot water; also avoid direct heat.
One reason to avoid heat: the acrylic part is a synthetic fiber and, according to Wikipedia, it melts when burned. That is why the rule on the official page is simple: no dryer and no hot water.
This is a real photo from the Peguche workshop, where our ponchos are woven.
The fringes
If your poncho has fringes, take care of them: do not twist or rub them when washing, and do not pull them when drying. When they are dry, separate them with your fingers. If you use a washing machine, the mesh bag helps protect the fringes.
How to store it
- On a wide hanger or folded, never on a thin hanger that marks the shoulders.
- Clean and dry. Wikipedia says that moth larvae can eat acrylic when it is blended with wool or dirty, so storing it clean helps.
- In a dry, ventilated place.
Pilling and odor
If it pills
Pills form from friction (bag, backpack, arms rubbing). According to Wikipedia, some acrylic-fiber weaves pill easily. Remove them carefully by hand, one by one, or with small scissors cutting only the pill, without pulling. Washing less and not resting the poncho against rough surfaces helps reduce pilling.
If it smells stored
Airing it in the shade is usually enough. If it needs washing, follow the steps above.
Summary: what to do in each case
| Situation | What to do |
|---|---|
| You wore it for a few hours | Air it in the shade, hung on a wide hanger. |
| Small stain | Damp cloth with cold water, pressing without rubbing. |
| It is really dirty | Hand wash with cold water and mild detergent. |
| You do not have time | Machine on a delicate cycle, cold water, mesh bag and buttons closed. |
| It got wet | Spread on a towel, in the shade. Never a dryer. |
| You are going to store it | Clean and dry, on a wide hanger or folded. |
The most repeated mistakes
- Washing with lukewarm water "because it is very dirty."
- Wringing to get the water out.
- Hanging it wet by the shoulders: the weight stretches it.
- Drying it in the sun or with heat.
- Washing it after every use.
If your poncho is one of the three cotton and polyester ones (Night Rain, Calm Rain or Imbabura Flower), the official care page does not separate them; if in doubt, write to us on WhatsApp at 098 7878 444. To choose your poncho, see how to choose a poncho or the poncho collection. If something arrives with a defect, check the return policy.
Frequently asked questions
Can an alpaca poncho be washed in a washing machine?
Yes, but only on a delicate cycle, with cold water, inside a mesh bag and with the buttons closed. Washing by hand is better.
What do you wash it with?
With a mild detergent; one for wool is better. Without rubbing or wringing.
How do you dry an alpaca poncho?
Flat in the shade on a towel or on a wide hanger. No dryer or hot water.
How often should it be washed?
As little as possible. First air it in the shade, and wash it only if it is really dirty.
How do you wash a shawl or a blanket?
The same way: cold water, by hand, without wringing. We have a guide on alpaca blanket: size and care. Shawls are hand-washed in cold water.