You must always act professionally as a healthcare practitioner. However, due to the special nature of your work, you are unable to completely avoid coming into touch with bacteria and viruses, which can build up on both your skin and clothing. How can you maintain the longevity and cleanliness of your medical scrubs? You must properly care for it. When washing, drying, and handling your medical scrubs, you need to be mindful of what you’re using. This post will walk you through every step of caring for medical scrubs for both men and women and demonstrate how to get rid of even the toughest stains. V-neck scrubs are a timeless and cosy style that gives you a polished appearance and permits you to move freely throughout extended hours.
Scrub Care Guide: Getting Ready for Washing
Have you ever noticed how stiff new scrubs might feel at times? This is because, during production, manufacturers frequently employ sizing or starch. Although this coating may not be comfortable, it helps scrubs keep their form while being shipped and displayed on retail shelves. The good news? There is a simple solution!
Before wearing your completely novel medical scrubs for the first time, we advise pre-washing them. By doing this, any remaining starch is eliminated, making them softer and cosier. Remember that, like with any laundry, it’s important to arrange your medical scrubs according to colour. Your scrubs will continue to look their best if you keep the lights and darks separate.
Examine and abide by the care instructions.
Reading and adhering to the care directions provided by the maker is the most crucial—yet sometimes disregarded—step in guaranteeing the long-term upkeep of a scrub suit. Since manufacturers are familiar with the materials used to make their scrub suits, it stands to reason that they would know how to maintain them. It’s important to follow these instructions to prevent damage to your scrubs because different fabrics and designs may have different cleaning and maintenance needs.
Tips for Removing Stains
When working in the medical field, your medical scrubs may get unsightly stains. To get rid of common medical staining, try these quick tips:
- Blood: Hurry! Blood stains are easier to get rid of immediately after you treat them. To keep the stain from setting, thoroughly rinse it with cold water. Always adhere to the precise guidelines provided by the protein stain elimination product of your choice regarding the application duration and water temperature.
- Iodine: Iodine stains can be difficult to remove, so don’t give up! To pre-treat fresh stains, use a paste made of baking soda and water after cleaning the area with lukewarm water. For stains that are difficult to remove, leave it for at least half an hour.
There’s a remedy: vinegar.
Remember to add a spoonful of white vinegar to the water before adding the washing machine detergent or any garments. The acidic qualities of vinegar will aid in the distribution of aluminium chloride or zinc salts, which will remove the stains. Furthermore, vinegar is a remarkable disinfectant and will help preserve the fabric’s colour.
Wash each one separately.
Washing your medical scrubs separately is advised; do not combine them with other laundry. It is possible to wash the light hues separately and the dark colours together.
Double-wash the scrubs
You must wash your scrubs twice in order to get rid of germs and pollution. In the first step, wash your scrubs with detergent in cold water, turned inside out. Applying the stain remover for stubborn stains and washing scrubs in warm water is the second step; don’t forget to add ¾ cup of colour-safe bleach. To get rid of any leftover bacteria, let them dry for at least half an hour before ironing them at high heat.
Steer clear of high heat during drying.
If at all possible, let it air dry:
- The fabric’s lifespan is increased and shrinking is avoided by air drying.
- Use Low Heat: Choose a low-temperature setting if you must use a dryer.
Use Care When Ironing
- Low to Medium Heat: Some scrub materials might be harmed by high heat.
- Iron from the inside out to protect colours and shield them from direct heat damage.
Try letting your scrubs air dry.
Your clothes will get more big and shaped after a mild dry. Hang your scrubs on an outdoor drying rack if the weather permits. To prevent them from discolouration, make sure they are not exposed to direct sunlight.
Do Not Wear Scrubs Outside of Work
Scrubs should not be worn outside of the office as this exposes them to dirt, filth, and other contamination that can be challenging to get rid of. You may maintain the cleanliness and appearance of your scrubs by changing out of them as soon as your shift is over.
Don’t Let Lotion or Fragrances Get on Your Scrubs
Strong fragrances from lotions, perfumes, and other personal care items may stick to those scrubs and be difficult to get rid of. To prevent spreading these items to your uniform, it is recommended to apply them before throwing on your scrubs or to wait until you have finished your shift.
Final words
Your Medical scrubs will stay clean, comfortable, and stylish for a long time if you follow the manufacturer’s care instructions. This guide helps you keep up a professional appearance and promotes good hygiene at work. Keep in mind that maintaining your scrubs is an investment in both your career and well-being.
