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Here’s How to Wash Medical Scrubs at Home

medical scrubs in washing machine

Nurses and healthcare professionals work in a range of challenging environments – from busy hospitals to quiet assisted living properties. Their scrubs uniforms go beyond just setting them apart from different organisations and job roles, they’re worn to preventing the spread of pathogens, promoting a clean working environment, while reassuring patients and helping them to identify staff.

Considering the nature of many health worker duties, it’s important to keep workwear scrubs clean from stains and contamination. Regular machine washing at home is an essential part of owning medical scrubs, and knowing how to properly care for this special uniform is not merely beneficial – it’s imperative.

So let’s talk about how to care for your scrubs by following the optimal laundry process of washing and drying.

Following Manufacturer Guidelines

Proluxe blue medical scrubs set

Always check the laundry wash care label and follow the directions provided by the scrbs manufacture. These directions are customised for the fabric or blend of fabrics used to create the scrubs, ensuring a washing temperature that preserves the shape and colour of the materials.

Most scrubs are made from a blend of polyester and cotton which can withstand washing machine cycle temperatures as high as 60°C, guaranteeing deep cleanliness without affecting the fabric’s strength.

Washing uniforms and workwear

Every part of the laundry process should involve hygiene – removing odours and killing germs . Washing detergent, whether it’s in powder, pod, or liquid, and the movement of the clothes help get rid of dirt, stains, smells, and pathogens, which is then washed away by the large amount of water used when rinsing.

Studies and experiments, along with reading articles and listening to what experts say, as mentioned in a 2007 NHS report, indicate:

  • There’s not much of a difference in how well home and work laundry can get rid of tiny living things on uniforms and work clothes
  • Cleaning with soap at 30ºC can get rid of most types of bacteria, including those that are resistant to methicillin, such as MRSA
  • A ten-minute cycle at 60ºC is enough to remove almost all bacteria. In experiments, only 0.1% of Clostridioides difficile bacteria were left. The experts who did the research say that this amount of bacteria on uniforms and work clothes isn’t a problem.

Maintain You Washing Appliances

Perform routine cleaning of your washing machine and upkeep on cleaning tumble dryers following the guidelines provided by the manufacturer.

Frequent cleaning and care will safeguard the machine’s ability to wash scrubs effectively. Washing machines that are dirty or not functioning properly could result in scrubs remaining dangerously dirty and not fit for wear in a sterile hospital or medical workplace. It’s therefore important that you’re home washing machine is functioning properly and kept clean.

Cross Contamination

Clean heavily stained scrubs on their own. Some healthcare workers will be exposed to biological fluids – blood, feces, or vomit. If a substantial part of your scrubs fabric are covered in any body fluids or medications, wash these on their own to avoid any cross contamination with other laundry.

Cleaning alone will remove any risk of spreading dirt from very dirty scrubs to your personal clothes, while allowing for a maximum wash temperature.

Tips for Keeping Uniforms in Good Condition

Thoughtful Drying: Although using a tumble dryer might be the fastest way to dry clothes and scrubs, it’s better to let scrubs air dry to keep the fabric in good shape and stop them from shrinking.

If you don’t have the space to air dry outdoors or indoors, and enjoy the speed and efficiency of tumble drying, invest in a premium heat pump tumble dryer as they do not require external venting and offer gentle drying programs to prolong the life of your work scrubs.

Attentive Ironing: Don’t iron over logos, decorations, or other details as it could discolour of melt them. If you have to iron, do it at the suggested temperatures using the correct type of iron.

Maintaining Durability and Cleanliness in Nurse Scrubs

It’s essential to properly maintain scrubs not just for looks but also for their role in upholding cleanliness and comfort at work. Opting for superior quality nurse scrubs uniforms and adhering to these maintenance guidelines will help your attire endure the rigors of the nursing field.

Clean before every shift: Make sure to wash your uniforms right before each shift to prevent any spread of germs.

Store correctly: Refrain from wearing scrubs outside of the medical facility and ensure you have proper changing and storage areas.

How to Remove Stains from Scrubs

Spots are bound to happen. Life can be chaotic and mishaps occur, but the key is understanding the correct steps to follow when cleaning your scrubs. The method will differ based on the kind of spot, so we’ve outlined a few of the most frequent spots you might encounter.

Ink: Ink stains from ballpoint and water-based inks typically involve a mix of oil and colour, making it crucial to act swiftly to remove ink from scrubs. If the ink is still wet, lightly dab it away. To tackle the rest, apply rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or hairspray. This will help break down the stain, making it easier to wash out.

Deodorant: These spots are formed when sweat combines with the components and slats of deodorant. The most effective method for removing deodorant stains from scrubs is with baking soda.

Make a paste using a 3:1 ratio of baking soda to water and gently scrub the paste into the stain with a toothbrush. For scrubs that are white, an alternative is to immerse the deodorant stain in a solution of equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide, which has bleaching properties. Allow the paste or solution to remain for at least an hour prior to laundering.

Blood: As previously mentioned, blood is a protein-based substance, meaning it’s best to steer clear of hot water to prevent the stain from becoming permanent. Begin by immersing your scrubs in chilly water to help dilute the stain and eliminate any surplus material from the fabric. Following that, apply a potent cleaner and let it dwell for 5-10 minutes prior to your regular wash cycle.

Dye: Besides pens, dyes are frequently utilized in medicines to impart colour. To eliminate dye stains from scrubs, allow them to sit in a mixture of cold water and oxygen-based bleach for a duration ranging from one to eight hours prior to laundering. The fact that the bleach is oxygen-based makes this method suitable for all scrubs and fabrics.

Urine/Feces/Vomit: Similar to blood, these stains are also protein-based, hence avoiding hot water is crucial. Begin by scraping off any surplus material by delicately sliding the edge of a spoon across the fabric. Be careful not to exert too much force or rub the stain against another fabric type, as this could cause the stain to become more entrenched in your scrubs.

Subsequently, flush the stain with cold water and apply a robust detergent as you would for a blood stain. To ensure your scrubs emerge smelling clean, add a half cup of baking soda to the rinse cycle.

Choose the Right Cleaning Solution

It’s recommended to choose a superior cleaning solution designed for medical clothing. Look for a product that has antibacterial features to guarantee deep cleaning and sanitizing of scrubs fabric. Stay away from strong chemicals that might harm the material or cause skin irritation.

Use Cold Water for Washing

When it comes to cleaning medical uniforms, we recommend washing them in a 30ºC as the preferred approach for daily washing. Colder water helps keep colours vibrant, avoids shrinking, and is a more energy efficient way to wash. Nonetheless, if the uniforms are very dirty, a slightly warmer water temperature might be necessary to get the stain out and decontaminate.

Skip the Fabric Softener

Although fabric softener can make clothes and other fabrics feel nice, it can decrease the absorbency of some materials, which is not ideal for medical uniforms. Instead, try adding an extra rinse cycle to make sure all the soap is completely rinsed out.

Dry on Low Heat or Air Dry

We advise drying medical scrubs uniforms on a low heat setting in the dryer or, for the best outcome, let them air dry outdoors. High heat can damage the fabric and cause shrinkage, and weaken seams, so a more gentle method of drying will help your uniforms last longer.

Double Check Care Instructions

Always check the care labels on your scrubs for detailed instructions. Various materials might need different care, and adhering to these rules will help keep your scrubs in the best condition.

Do scrubs have a risk of shrinking?

Scrubs can shrink, particularly since scrubs are sewed using materials like cotton, which is blended with other fibers that can shrink. However, you can reduce the chance of this happening by applying the safety tips mentioned above when you wash and dry them.

Can scrubs be washed with other items of clothing?

Yes, scrubs are designed to be washed with other clothing items, but it’s crucial to keep in mind a few key points to maintain hygiene and safeguard both the scrubs and the other clothes in mixed washings.

Wash heavily stained scrubs separate, but for general washing, they can be mixed in with other similar coloured fabrics.