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Care and Storage

A garment made of vicuña, alpaca, or Peruvian Pima cotton is not a consumer good, but a piece of craftsmanship that, with the right care, will last for decades. Each of our fibers has its own unique nature: some are forgiving, others require restraint. We will show you how to preserve the heritage of the Andes in all its quality.

Quick overview

Pima cotton

Hand wash at 30°C.

Dry flat.

Store folded in a cotton bag.

Alpaca

Dry clean recommended.

Dry flat, away from heat.

Store folded in a cotton bag.

Vicugna

Professional dry clean only.

Store in the lined wooden box or folded in the cotton bag.

Storage

The greatest enemies of stored natural fibers are not time, but moths and moisture.

Clean an item before storing it for the warmer season. Every APUKAI piece is delivered in a cotton bag that allows air to circulate; keep your piece in it, as this already provides reliable protection against dust and moisture. Vicuña pieces also come with a lined wooden box, which is the appropriate storage in itself; the piece can be placed directly in the box, and the bag should be reserved for travel. Additionally, natural agents such as fragrant woods or herbs keep moths away and are gentler on the fiber than chemical mothballs. It is best to avoid plastic or dry-cleaning covers entirely, as they trap moisture, which causes the fiber to felt. And fold your pieces instead of hanging them to prevent knitwear and fine fabrics from stretching or losing their shape.