Dry Clean Only. Is it necessary?

[AnnieSnap]

I have seen this jumper in Other Stories. It’s a wool/Alpaca blend. It stayed dry clean only. Surely this isn’t really necessary? I like to think it would be fine on a delicate wool wash, even a hand wash if necessary. I’d value your thoughts Style & Beauty Mumsnetters.
www.stories.com/en_gbp/clothing/knitwear/sweaters/product.relaxed-alpaca-blend-bobble-neck-sweater-pink.0958282001.html

I would hand wash - I use Ecover woollen wash - at blood temperature ( like you would bath a baby)
Roll in a clean white/ light towel rather than spin, then dry on a horizontal rack. I would then press gently with a cool iron and a linen cloth.
I do the above with cashmere and silk and have no issues.

Thanks @Quickchangeartiste My cashmere is machine washable on a wool wash, so wool and alpaca must be okay to be washed mustn’t it? I’ll hand wash and towel dry as you suggest though.

I’ve found that the delicate machine wash works for almost anything, except for viscose (which can shrink really badly). Natural fibres should be fine.

Yes, I think they should be fine. I have machine washed cashmere but I think it comes out softer by hand. I don’t like dry cleaning wool as I don’t think it feels soft/fresh afterwards. Good luck 🤞🏻

MIL used to own a dry cleaners and would often use a gentle wash on items like this - dry cleaning is harsh!

Yes I think it would be fine. Remember also that wool is self-cleaning to a large extent and can often just be well-aired between wears and only washed occasionally. Spot-treat any marks as they occur (gently!).

Great replies. Thanks, @careerchangeperhaps agreed. I don’t wash wool knitwear very often.

I would carefully hand wash, as suggested.

I recently bought a pack of dry cleaning sachets for the tumble dryer, though I can't recommend as I haven't used them yet, and I bought them for a chiffon-type black dress, not wool.

Absolutely everything goes in the wash at my house.

I have an alpaca mix jumper. I handwash it as it's quite delicate. I've had it for nearly 8 years. The cat now uses it as a blanket.