How to Care for Medical Scrubs

Tired of your scrubs fading and looking worn? While it may be the brand, fabric or style of scrubs you are buying, the wear and tear of your scrubs is just as likely to be caused by your method of cleaning them. To ensure a great fit and long lasting uniform, we recommend you not only be selective in the quality and fabrics of the scrubs you purchase but also make sure to launder them the best way possible. By washing your nursing scrubs the right way, you can make sure they are just as vibrant and durable as the day you bought them.
Washing your Scrubs:

Detergents:
Washing with care is the key to long lasting garments, so we don’t advise using harsh or cheap detergents. Instead, we suggest using a good quality detergent to clean your medical scrubs.

Washing:
1. Make sure your washing machine is clean and free from dirt and debris.
2. Place only medical uniforms into the washing machine. You don’t want to mix your dirty scrubs with other dirty laundry.
3. Rinsing your medical scrubs in cold water is recommended to loosen any large deposits of material such as dirt, blood, or anything else that may linger in the wash cycle and make a mess of the water.
4. Once you are finished rinsing, the garments should then be washed in hot water for about 10 minutes or so to kill bacteria and micro organisms.

Dryer:
After washing, tumble dry your medical uniforms to kill off additional germs.

Treating Odors:
If your medical scrubs have an odor, simply use vinegar to remove the smell. Somewhere between ¼ to ½ cup of vinegar should do the job.

Some other odor-fighting suggestions include:
- Liquid disinfectant
- Baking soda
- Fabric odor remover
- Pet stain/odor remover

Stains:
Do not use bleach! Over time it may damage the fabric and will likely discolor your scrubs. Instead, try a Tide To Go stick or other spot remover. It is a quick way to get the stain before it gets too deep. Carry a spot remover around with you at work, so that you can apply a small amount to any stain that appears. If you use the stain remover on your uniforms at work, remember to have an extra set of medial uniforms on hand. It is important to change out of your soiled scrubs into a clean pair for the rest of your shift. Once you are home, treat the stain in the washer/drier.

The above tips and instructions are basic guidelines to help you get the most out of your medical uniforms and to help keep them safe and clean for each and every use.