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CASTELLI CARE GUIDE

How you wash, dry and care for your Castelli cycling kit has a big influence on how well it will perform and how long it will last. So read on to keep that unfair advantage for as long as possible.

Castelli cycling kit has been specially developed to meet the needs of professional athletes at the highest level of the sport. Whether pushing through the pain barrier in the cold and sleet of Belgium in March, or sweating it out in the heat of southern France in July, Castelli allows you to perform at your very best.

In creating garments that will maximise your performance in any conditions from hot or cold to wet or even snowy conditions Castelli select the latest materials, fabrics and barrier technologies -- these technologies require sympathetic care so not to damage the wicking, waterproof, or sun protective properties.

We can't guarantee that your Castelli products will last forever, but this guide will maximise every product's performance and lifespan.

Where to find Castelli care instructions

Washing instructions are printed on a white tag inside each piece of clothing. This is usually found at the hip on shorts and around the kidney in jackets and jerseys.

Some garments come with swing tags with specific instructions for fabrics so always read your swing tags too. If the swing tag and care label differ always go for the lowest temperature.

Following these instructions will help ensure the highest performance from your Castelli products and extend their useful lifespan. The key thing to bear in mind is to avoid any products containing bleach – which means no biological detergents in the UK.

If you have cut off the label or want more detailed cleaning advice, please follow the instructions below.

Liquid or Powder
At cool temperatures, powder can fail to dissolve. It's the same for liquids in gel balls so use a liquid detergent instead, which will dissolve quickly and wash away in the rinse cycle.

Biological Powders
Here is a list of common ingredients found in biological detergents and fabric conditioners. It includes many names for bleach, which every Castelli garment care label warns against. It also contains alcohols (thinners), enzymes that actively attack wicking and beading treatments and agents that allow photobleaching (whitening in the sun). In fact, none of the items listed are good for your cycling clothing, so we recommend you stay away from them!

Alcohol Ethoxylate (AE) Non-ionic surfactant. Removes greasy stains from your garments.

Alkyl (or Alcohol) Ethoxy Sulphate (AES) and Alkyl Sulphate (AS) Anionic surfactant. Two of the most widely used tools for removing stains.

Amine OxideAmphoteric surfactant. Used along with other surfactants to remove stains. Can be anionic, cationic or non-ionic.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) A polymer that comes from natural cellulose. Helps stop stains from returning to the garment they've been removed from.

Citric Acid The acid found in lemons and citrus fruits, it's mild and helps to remove bad smells from clothes. Known as a chelating agent.

Cyclodextrin Another chelating agent that removes malodors from garments.

Diethyl Ester Dimethyl Ammonium Chloride (DEEDMAC) An ammonium compound used in fabric conditioner to keep fabrics smooth.

Ethanol A clear, colourless alcohol used as a solvent in detergents.

Ethylene Diamine Disuccinate (SS-EDDS) Developed by P&G as a builder and chelating agent.

Hydrogen Peroxide One of the simplest and most common bleaching agents.

Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) The most widely used anionic surfactant in the world. Removes stains from your garments.

Mono Ethanol Amine (MEA), 2-aminoethanol or Ethanolamine An organic amine and primary alcohol used as a solvent and a weak base (maintains the pH balance in your laundry).

Percarbonate Sodium percabonate is a bleaching agent used in detergents.

Polyethylene Glycols (PEG), Polyethylene Oxide (PEO) or Polyoxyethylene (POE) A polyether compound used for many things, including as a lubricant and surfactant.

Polyvinyl Alcohol A water-soluble synthetic polymer, used to make the casing for liquid tabs and Ariel PODS.

Propylene Glycol An organic compound used as a solvent and enzyme.

Sodium Carbonate The salt of carbonic acid is used as a builder in detergents.

Sodium Disilicate Used as a builder in detergents.

Sodium Hypochlorite A chlorine based bleaching agent.

Sodium Triphosphate (STPP) Historically used in detergents as a builder.

Tetra Acetyl Ethylene Diamine (TAED) A bleaching activator and oxidizing agent used in detergents and bleaches.

Titanium and Titanium Dioxide The most commonly used white pigment.

Zinc Phthalocyanine Sulphonate (ZPS) Used as a photo-bleaching agent where line drying is common.

Fabric Conditioners
As well as containing some of the ingredients listed above, fabric conditioners are designed to stretch out and coat fibres making them feel softer. Unfortunately this is disastrous for any membrane, water repellent treatment or wicking treatments. The use of fabric conditioners – or even washing in a contaminated machine – will permanently destroy the ability of garments to hold a DWR treatment, as well as voiding your Castelli warranty.