Are you a medical professional who wears scrubs every day? Do you want to make sure your scrubs stay looking like new? If so, then this blog post is for you! We’ll cover some easy and effective tips on how to maintain your scrubs and keep them looking their best.
1. Pre-Treat Your Scrubs
Before wearing them for the first time, it is important to pre-treat scrubs with a cold water load and half a cup of vinegar. This will help retain the color and minimize the chances of fading over time, as well as help prevent any stains from setting in. Additionally, pretreating any existing stains with a spot treatment pen or a mixture of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda will ensure that your scrubs look their best. Furthermore, don’t forget to wash your hands before and after scrubbing your scrubs!
2. Do the Second Wash with Color-Safe Bleach
After pre-treating your scrubs, do the second wash with color-safe bleach. This step in the washing process is essential to disinfect your scrubs and ensure that any stains have been completely removed. To do this, add 3/4 cup of color-safe bleach to your washing machine in hot water. This will help to eliminate germs and bacteria while also getting rid of any stubborn stains. Complete this cycle and check that all the stains have been removed before wearing your scrubs for the first time.
3. Regularly Wash Scrubs Separately
It is important to regularly wash your scrubs separately from other clothes. Doing so will help prevent the spread of infection in your household and keep hospital germs from contaminating the other items in your laundry. Additionally, washing scrubs with a disinfectant will help to ensure that they remain clean and safe for use. Remember to always keep your dirty scrubs in a separate bag or bin until you are ready to wash them.
4. Use Hot Water Sparingly
It is best to use hot water sparingly when washing your scrubs. If you want to increase the life of your scrubs, wash them using the gentle or delicate cycle, and opt for cold water instead. Pre-treating with half a cup of vinegar before wearing your scrubs for the first time will also help retain their color and minimize the chances of fading. Additionally, it is important to wash scrubs separately from other items in order to ensure that any bacteria or germs are not transferred between garments.
5. Use a Tumble Dryer on Lowest Setting
Once your scrubs have been washed, it is important to ensure that they are dried properly. The best way to do this is to use a tumble dryer, but it is important to make sure that the heat setting is on the lowest possible setting. This will prevent excessive shrinkage, and help to preserve the fabric content and keep your scrubs looking as good as new.
6. Disinfect Your Scrubs After Every Wear
After washing your scrubs, be sure to disinfect them with a disinfectant after each wear to reduce the risk of spreading infection. This is especially important for nurses and other medical professionals, who are in contact with patients and come into contact with germs. Be sure to follow the instructions on the disinfectant product for best results. Additionally, you can hang or fold your scrubs after washing them to help them dry quicker and reduce wrinkles.
7. Avoid Harsh Detergents
7. Avoid Harsh Detergents
When washing your scrubs, it’s important to avoid harsh detergents that can damage the fabric or fade the colors. Use mild detergent on a cold wash and avoid fabric softeners as these can affect absorbency. You may also want to avoid using bleach as this can cause discoloration and fading. If you need to whiten your scrubs, use a color-safe bleach instead.
8. Hang or Fold Scrubs After Washing
Once you have finished washing your scrubs, it’s important to hang or fold them properly. To keep your scrubs looking new, it’s best to hang them up if possible, but if you don’t have the space for that, folding them neatly is the next best option. This will help maintain their shape and prevent wrinkles from forming. Remember, improper storage of your scrubs can lead to wrinkles and fabric damage, so make sure to store them properly after every wash.
9. Don’t Put Scrubs in the Dryer
After washing your scrubs, it’s important to avoid putting them in the dryer. Excessive heat can cause fading and damage the fabric. Instead, hang or fold them after washing and allow them to air-dry. This will help extend the life of your scrubs, while also maintaining their color and shape.
10. Iron with Low Heat
After washing, it’s important to iron your scrubs with low heat. Not only does this help remove wrinkles, which is always helpful, but it also helps to kill germs. If you’re dealing with white scrubs, make sure the stain is removed before ironing, as ironing on a hot setting will set the stain. Additionally, the low heat setting will protect any delicate fabric used in the construction of the garment. With a few simple steps, you can keep your scrubs looking flawless and professional.