Scrubs are not just the essential nurse’s uniform, they are meant to be clean and sterile at the beginning of each shift for the safety of our patients. Use these tips for 13 ways to keep your scrubs looking great:
- Start with high quality scrubs. While it is possible to find scrubs at bargain basement prices, chances are you will get what you pay for. To avoid having scrubs that fade and wear out quickly, purchase a great product to begin with.
- For the most convenient and easy care scrubs choose those with a high polyester content. WonderWink 4-Stretch scrubs go from washer to dryer and look great all day long.
- Look for scrubs with a soil release finish. The Tafford Essentials Collection offers a durable fabric that will help to make it easier to get that stain out.
- Get them off to a good start. When you purchase a new set of scrubs, wash them in cold to warm water with an added ½ cup of vinegar for their first wash. This helps to set the color and help your scrubs last longer
- Wash your dark ground prints in color water … the colors will stay vibrant and cheerful for longer.
- Keep your scrubs at work. If your scrubs are kept in your locker or cubby at work, you will be less likely to wear them other places where they can pick up stains and germs that should not be brought into a medical facility. Store them in clean plastic bags to be sure that they remain sterile.
- Whenever possible hang your scrubs to dry. This will prevent wrinkles and will keep your scrub looking crisp.
- Turn them inside out. When you wash your scrubs, use a sanitizing cycle to disinfect and turn your scrubs inside out to avoid unattractive piling.
- Use a hot iron. Not only does this give your scrubs a more professional appearance, it also helps to kill any germs that may remain within the fabric.
- Wash scrubs separately from other clothing. Your scrubs require special care, and they are more likely to receive it if they are not thrown in with the rest of your family’s laundry. Depending on what area you work in, combining laundry may not be safe.
- Pre-treat stains quickly. Stains are more likely to come out of your scrubs if you soak them in a stain removal solution before washing. Try using hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, or baking soda. Consider keeping a stain remover pen or stick on h and .
- Consider white scrubs. Colors and patterns can be cute, but if your scrubs frequently require stain treatment you may be better off with white. The ability to soak in bleach can be a worthwhile tradeoff.
- Inspect before moving to the dryer. Stains will set and become almost impossible to remove if they make their way into the dryer. Inspect your scrubs while wet to confirm that stains are gone before putting into the heat of the dryer.
Keep your scrubs clean and looking fresh with these care tips.