I bought this little one from Yahoo Auction second hand, and he came from a smoker’s home. He was so smelly and it was unbearable for a non-smoker like me. I heavily sprayed febreeze but it was beyond recoverable that way, so I decided to wash an alpaca for the first time.
I have heard that many people have ruined their alpacasso from washing from washing machine or tumble drying, so I experimented with hand wash.
1) I filled the laundry basin with water up to about half its body (please reference photos), then sprinkled a little amount of laundry detergent over it. I didn’t use too much because then it would be really hard to wash out.
2) I used the little brush to brush through its fur the right way.
3) Then gently massaged it in water, flipped it over and massaged again.
4) I emptied the water, then filled it about the same amount again
5) Then massaged it in the water again (both sides) to get the detergent out
6) I repeated steps 4-5 twice, then emptied the basin
7) I gently massaged the alpaca to get as much water out as possible. It’s really surprising how the alpaca becomes REALLY REALLY heavy with water.
8) Then I took it outside to sun dry. Because it was impossible to get all the water out and I didn’t want to wring it or press it down to get water out in case I ruin the shape, it was dripping LOTS of water making a huge pile of water underneath.
9) I used the same brush I used to wash it and brushed the hair the way I wanted it to dry (Reference photo for the brush)
10) I let it dry like that for half day, then flipper over to dry the other side over night (it was still quite wet) (Total 1 day)
11) Then I let it stand facing the sun to dry the next day (1 day)
12) Then I let it stand the other way with its bottom facing the sun to dry the next day (The bottom was still wet, even though the face was dry) (1 day)
13) Then I made it stand upside down with its tummy and legs facing up to dry the tummy the next day. (1 day)
It took a total of 4 days and nights to dry out in open air.
The last photo is how it looks completely dry now. The smell didn’t completely go away so I febreezed it, and now it smells fine.
The fur however isn’t as soft anymore. I am not sure if it’s the febreeze or the wash, but I think it’s the febreeze. I haven’t brushed him yet, maybe that will help. I’m just glad that he doesn’t smell like smoke anymore.
I’ve heard it’s really difficult to wash alpacas, so do this at your own risk! I am not responsible for your actions, this is a step to step experience for me, and to be used as a reference only.
Good luck with washing!! :)
