Our “All-Paca” garments are made from 100% Alpaca Fiber. Our "8020" products are a blend of 80% Alpaca and 20% TENCEL™ (TENCEL™ is made from eucalyptus trees). There are NO Synthetics like polyester or nylon blended into our fabrics . Our products are the first ever lightweight 100% Alpaca Fiber performance garments. Alpaca fiber has so many great qualities; it is lightweight, it doesn’t absorb much moisture - but at the same time has great breathability because it allows moisture move around it. Alpaca insulates even when the fabric may be wet, and because the fiber itself doesn’t absorb much moisture - it dries very quickly. Alpaca really excels in “body climate regulation” because it breaths and insulates - so it is not just a cold weather fabric - it performs in all types of weather because the fabric allows air and moisture movement that cools you in warm weather and warms you in cool weather. Also, Alpaca Fiber does not get “funky” and retain odors the way synthetics do.
We recommend that you wear the shirts and/or Hoodies around 8 -10 times before washing so that they get broken-in to your body shape. These garments are not designed for a “compression fit”, and if you like a looser fit, you can size-up, but if you like a tighter fit, you can size down. Our design characteristics allow such sizing options. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
When you receive your garment it may feel a little flat or stiff from shipping and being folded. If so, you can turn your garment inside-out and put it in your dryer with no heat (i.e., the Fluff Cycle) with 3 or 4 wool dryer balls and tumble for 15-20 minutes. That will fluff-up your garment.
8020 Shirts & Sun Hoodies
1) You don’t need to wash this garment often. Even if you are active and sweating in it, just hang it up. Alpaca does not retain odors and doesn’t support bacterial growth. Since it is an animal fiber, it is susceptible to moth damage, so you will want to store it so that moths can’t get to it just like you would with wool. However, washing will not harm your garment.
2) Turn your 8020 garment inside-out (this is key).
3) Use a small load, cold water, light or gentle cycle, and wash with other performance fabrics. We recommend to NOT wash in large loads, or with heavy fabrics like jeans/towels.
4) Use any normal liquid detergent. Do not use “washing Soda”, Chlorine OR Peroxide bleaches, or “Oxygen Cleaners”. Do not use powdered detergents as they are generally too harsh for protein fibers like Alpaca/Merino/etc.
5) Air dry by hanging or laying flat the first 3-5 washes. The Alpaca doesn’t have much moisture left in it after the spin cycle, and will dry quickly.
6) After the first 3-5 washes, you can tumble dry your shirt - but be sure to tumble on low heat in a small load with other similar items - it will only take approximately 10-12 minutes to dry. Medium to high heat is not recommended. Do not wash or tumble your AppGearCo garments with heavy items like jeans or jackets or other heavy items that have zippers.
7) After 3-5 washes, you will notice a little shrinkage in the length, and we have allowed for this in our patterns. Also, you may notice very fine “nap” on the fabric, and this improves the comfort and performance of the garment.
Hoodies / Crews / Beanies / Gaiters / Sleeping Bag Liners
1) You don’t need to wash this garment often. Even if you are active and sweating in it, just hang it up. Alpaca does not retain odors and doesn’t support bacterial growth. Since it is an animal fiber, it is susceptible to moth damage, so you will want to store it so that moths can’t get to it just like you would with wool. However, washing will not harm your garment.
2) Use a small to medium load, cold water, light cycle, and wash with other performance fabrics & socks. We recommend to NOT wash in large loads, or with heavy fabrics like jeans/towels.
3) Use any normal liquid detergent. Do not use “washing Soda”, Chlorine OR Peroxide bleaches, or “Oxygen Cleaners”. Do not use powdered detergents as they are generally too harsh for protein fibers like Alpaca/Merino/etc.
4) Tumble dry your garment on low to medium-low heat in a small load with other similar items - it will only take approximately 10-15 minutes to dry. Medium to high heat, or drying in large loads with jeans/towels is not recommended.
5) The Fleece products will not exhibit much shrinkage.
6) You will see some lint in the washer and dryer when you wash the fleece, and this is normal. b) Commercial fabric softener is not needed on these products, but will not harm the products.
