How to Care for Your Medical Uniforms: Cleaning, Maintenance & Longevity Tips
How to Care for Your Medical Uniforms: Cleaning, Maintenance & Longevity Tips
by Courtney Kidgell
Your medical uniform is more than just workwear—it’s an essential part of your daily routine, helping you feel comfortable, professional, and confident. To keep your scrubs looking as good as they feel, proper care is key. In this guide, we’ll share practical tips on cleaning, maintaining, and extending the life of your medical uniforms, ensuring they stay in top condition for as long as possible.
1. Washing Your Scrubs: The Right Way
Proper washing techniques are crucial to preserve the colour, shape, and integrity of your uniforms. Here’s how to do it:
• Separate Your Loads: Wash your scrubs separately from regular clothing to avoid lint and colour transfer. Dark and bright coloured scrubs should also be washed separately to prevent fading.
• Use Cold Water: Washing in cold water helps preserve colours and prevent shrinkage. For stubborn stains or bacteria, you can use warm water, but avoid hot water as it can weaken fibres over time.
• Choose a Gentle Detergent: Opt for a mild detergent that’s free of harsh chemicals. If your scrubs have antimicrobial properties, ensure the detergent is safe for these specialised fabrics.
• Avoid Overloading the Machine: Overcrowding can cause unnecessary friction, leading to pilling and wear. Give your scrubs space to move freely in the wash.
• Avoid Washing by Hand: While the notion is that hand washing is more delicate than machine wash, the friction applied during hand washing can in fact be more damaging to the fabric fibres and utmost care needs to be taken as not to rub the item harshly.
2. Drying Tips to Prevent Wear and Tear
Drying your scrubs correctly is just as important as washing them:
• Air Dry When Possible: Hang your scrubs to dry to prevent shrinking and maintain the fabric’s stretch. A clothesline or drying rack is ideal.
• Use Low Heat in the Dryer: If you must use a dryer, select a low or delicate heat setting. High heat can weaken fibres and cause shrinking, especially in polyester blends.
• Remove Promptly: Take scrubs out of the dryer as soon as the cycle ends to minimise wrinkles and maintain their polished look.
3. Stain Removal: Keeping Your Scrubs Spotless
Healthcare professionals deal with tough stains daily. Here’s how to handle them effectively:
• Act Quickly: The sooner you treat a stain, the better. Blot (don’t rub) the stain with a clean cloth to absorb as much as possible.
• Pre-Treat Stains: Apply a gentle stain remover or a paste of baking soda and water directly to the affected area. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before washing.
• Avoid Bleach: While bleach may seem like a quick fix, it can weaken fabrics and cause discolouration. Instead, opt for oxygen-based cleaners for tough stains.
4. Maintaining Specialty Fabrics
Some scrubs come with added features like moisture-wicking or antimicrobial properties. These fabrics require special care:
• Moisture-Wicking Fabrics: Avoid fabric softeners, as they can clog the fibers and reduce their effectiveness. Instead, use a mild detergent and air dry when possible.
• Antimicrobial Fabrics: Check the care label to ensure your detergent is compatible. Avoid excessive heat during washing and drying to preserve the fabric’s properties.
5. Storage Tips to Keep Your Scrubs Fresh
Proper storage can also help extend the life of your scrubs:
• Fold or Hang Neatly: Avoid cramming your scrubs into a drawer, which can lead to wrinkles and unnecessary wear.
• Use Cedar or Lavender Sachets: Natural repellents like cedar chips or lavender sachets can keep your scrubs fresh and protect them from moths.
• Rotate Your Uniforms: Having multiple sets of scrubs allows you to rotate them, reducing wear and tear on any one pair and extending the longevity of the items.
6. Invest in Quality Scrubs
Finally, the best way to ensure your scrubs last is to start with high-quality garments. Our scrubs are designed with durable fabrics, superior stitching, and thoughtful construction to withstand the demands of your workday. When cared for properly, they’ll stay comfortable and stylish shift after shift.
Take note that scrubs and uniforms with a percentage of natural fibres will wear faster and those with a polyester blend will last longer.
By following these simple tips, you can extend the life of your medical uniforms and keep them looking and feeling as good as new. After all, your scrubs are an investment in your professional image and comfort—treat them with the care they deserve!
Explore Our Collection:
Ready to upgrade your scrubs? Discover our range of stylish, durable, and ultra-comfortable medical uniforms today. View our Women's Range here and our Men's range here.
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