Alpaca Mountain

Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I care for my alpaca garment and rug?
• How warm is alpaca?
• I'm allergic to wool, can I wear alpaca?
• What is an alpaca?
• What types of fibers are used in your garments?
• Are any alpacas killed for their fur?
• Do you use dyes in your products?
• What are the beneficial qualities of alpaca fiber?
• Is alpaca fiber largely produced?
• Why should I purchase an alpaca garment?
• What do you do with the rugs?

How do I care for my alpaca garment and rug?

Alpaca garments and rugs are easy to care for. Go to the Garment and Rug Care page to see just how easy.

How warm is alpaca?

Alpaca is warmer than wool and goose down yet breathes better than thermal knits. These animals live above 12,000 feet in the Andes Mountains. The fleece is what allows them to survive -30 degrees Farenheight nights and still be comfortable during warm days of intense sunlight. To learn more about the alpaca's environment please visit the About Alpacas page.

I'm allergic to wool, can I wear alpaca?

The wonderful qualities about alpaca are that it is naturally hypoallergenic and lanolin free. Many people who cannot wear wool choose alpaca.

What is an alpaca?

Learn the answers to all your alpaca questions by visiting the About Alpacas page.

What types of fibers are used in your garments?

Details on the fibers and which animals they come from can be found on the Alpaca Fibers page.

Are any alpacas killed for their fur?

In the manufacturing of all garments, alpacas are sheared once a year for their fleece. As for the rugs, no animals were killed just for their fur. With over 2.5 million alpacas in Peru, the mortality rate limits the available materials for production. We use the alpacas that did not survive the winter or died from natural causes.

Do you use dyes in your products?

While the alpaca comes in 22 natural colors, we try to incorporate as many natural colors in our selection. The rugs are all hand made from 100% Natural Alpaca Fur making them dye free and stain repellent.

What are the beneficial qualities of alpaca fiber?

• The fiber is stronger then mohair.
• The fiber is softer than cotton.
• It is warmer than goose down or the new synthetic fibers.
• It breathes better than thermal knits.
• The absence of lanolin and other oils in the fleece create a naturally hypoallergenic product.
• Alpaca fibers strength and resilience don't diminish as it becomes finer.
• The fiber is water repellent.
• The fiber is lightweight because it is hollow.
• Alpaca products last for long periods of time.

Is alpaca fiber largely produced?

Alpaca is less produced than cashmere, angora rabbit, and mohair. World production in tons is 4,000 tons of alpaca to 5,000 tons of cashmere, 8,500 tons of angora rabbit, and 22,000 tons of mohair.

Why should I purchase an alpaca garment?

The main reason that anyone should buy one of our alpaca products is that it makes you feel good; its softness, its shine, its style, and its complex uniqueness. Each piece is different because each piece has been especially hand made for you by professional artisans in Peru. Whether wearing, giving, feeling, hanging, receiving, or seeing one of our products, you are experiencing the oldest form of art from the Andes Mountains.

What do you do with the rugs?

Our rugs are perfect for:

• Hanging on the wall (just use push pins)
• Accentuating a coffee table
• On top of the bed
• At the foot of the bed
• Enhancing a fireplace
• Or for dreamily sleeping upon the most luxurious fiber known