Short answer: wash an alpaca vest cold, by hand, and dry it flat. Or dry clean it. Keep it out of the dryer. That is the care for our Alpaca Rittervest (34% alpaca, 33% merino, 33% nylon), and it is a sensible starting point for most knit vests.
I own Ritter and this is the question I get most after "what size am I?". Here is the routine, step by step.
How often to wash it
Less than you think. A vest sits over a shirt, so it rarely touches skin, and most of the time it only needs airing out. Hang it somewhere with air moving around it after a day of wear. Wash it when it is visibly dirty or you have spilled something on it, not on a schedule.
Washing it by hand
- Fill a basin with cold water and a small amount of gentle wool or delicates detergent.
- Close the zip and turn the vest inside out.
- Press it under the water and let it soak for about ten minutes. Do not scrub, twist or wring it.
- Drain the basin and rinse in cold water until the suds are gone.
- Press the water out against the side of the basin with your hands. Do not wring.
Drying it
Lay a clean towel on a flat surface, put the vest on it, and roll the towel up to press out more water. Unroll it, reshape the vest by hand, and leave it flat to dry away from a radiator or direct sun. Do not hang it wet, because the weight of the water stretches a knit. Do not use the dryer.
Dry cleaning
If you would rather not wash it yourself, dry cleaning is fine. Tell the cleaner it is a knit vest and ask for it to be returned folded, not on a hanger.
Storing it
Fold it and keep it in a drawer or on a shelf. Hanging a knit for months can pull the shoulders out of shape.
Questions I get asked
Can I put it in the washing machine? Our care instruction is cold hand wash or dry clean, so that is what I suggest.
Can I tumble dry it? No. Lay it flat.
What about a small spot or stain? Dab it with a cloth and cold water. Rubbing works the mark into the knit.
If you want to see the vest first, the Alpaca Rittervest is $349 with free US shipping, and returns and size exchanges are free for 30 days. For how it compares with other fibres, read alpaca vs merino vs cashmere.