Normally you will find that alpaca is quite durable and easy to care for. It does not yellow or fade, nor does it attract much dirt or dust. To remove dust you may vacuum it (using attachments only) or shake it out as often as you wish, but avoid immersing the rug in water.
Machine washing is not recommended since it can cause stitches to pop and also the natural oils in the fur and hide will be drawn out, causing the fur to be a little less soft and the hide to be a little less flexible each time it is washed. Occasionally it may be necessary to "freshen" the rug by dusting it with ordinary baby powder or some kind of talcum powder and giving it a brisk brushing.
For liquid spills: after blotting up as much of the spill as possible, rub with cornmeal and brush. You can also spot-clean stubborn stains using a mild detergent and water, then drying with a blow dryer.
For spills or spot cleaning, a sponge with a mild soap and water solution will work best. Make certain that you don't get the leather wet by using so much liquid that it penetrates through the fur, down to the leather.
The alpaca fur is water resistant, stain resistant and much stronger than everyday wool. The oils in the fibers account for the resistance to moisture and staining, while the inherent structure of each strand creates conditions for strength. Alpaca rugs can be used for many years because they will not look any worse for wear.
Alpaca rugs cannot be used as bathmats. If they get too wet, they can shrink, shed, and smell.
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