Scrubs are more than just a uniform—they’re an essential part of a healthcare worker’s daily work attire that needs to be maintained with care, to show one’s dedication in the healthcare profession and to avoid spreading foreign contaminants to the public. So, in this article, I’ll share my top tips on how to properly care for your scrubs to make them last longer and keep you looking professional.
Scrubs are specifically designed to protect healthcare professionals from potential exposure to bodily fluids, infectious agents, and other hazards that they may encounter during the long hours that they spend at work. Proper care and maintenance of scrubs is crucial for maintaining a professional appearance, extending the lifespan of the scrub suit, and ensuring the personal safety of both the healthcare professional and the people around them.
Neglecting giving the best care for scrubs can lead to several issues, such as:
As mentioned, wearing properly maintained and clean scrubs can help a healthcare worker present themselves as someone trustworthy and whom patients can rely on. Here are specific care tips that can help you extend the life of your scrubs, ensuring that they’re always in good condition and their longevity is preserved:
The most important yet easily overlooked step in ensuring the long-term maintenance of a scrub suit is to read and follow the manufacturer’s care instructions. Manufacturers know the materials of their scrub suit well, so it can be expected that they would know how to best take care of the scrubs that they offer. Each fabric and design may have unique cleaning and maintenance requirements, so it’s crucial to adhere to these guidelines to avoid damaging your scrubs.
It’s best to avoid wearing your scrubs outside of the workplace, as this can expose them to dirt, grime, and other contaminants that can be difficult to remove. Changing out of your scrubs as soon as your shift ends can help preserve their cleanliness and appearance. It’s also a good practice to take care of yourself and those around you, ensuring that you avoid spreading contaminants that can be harmful to the health of others.
Strong scents from perfumes, lotions, or other personal care products can cling to your scrubs and be challenging to remove. It’s best to apply these items before putting on your scrubs or wait until after your shift to avoid transferring them to your uniform.
Even though your scrub may already look good upon inspection, make sure to not make this discourage you from ironing your scrubs. Regularly heat-pressing your scrubs can help maintain their neat, professional appearance and also aid in the disinfection process. The high heat can help kill any lingering bacteria or germs that may have accumulated on the fabric.
Having multiple sets of scrubs can be incredibly helpful in maintaining their cleanliness and appearance. It allows you to rotate between sets, giving each pair a chance to be thoroughly cleaned and dried before being worn again. Having more than one pair of scrubs saves the hassle of cleaning them in bulk, allowing you to also take the time to clean each of them properly without having to worry about not wearing fresh scrub suits during duty.
The nature of work often subjects healthcare professionals to different kinds of fluids or agents that can leave stubborn stains on the scrub. When dealing with these stains, it’s important to act quickly, as the sooner you address a stain, the easier it will be to remove. Make sure to pre-treat the scrub suit before washing to ensure proper removal of stains. The chart below summarizes 10 common stains that can be left on scrub suits, and some tips on how to address them:
Proper disinfection of your scrubs is crucial to maintain a safe and hygienic work environment, and to ensure that you won’t be putting the lives of the people outside work at risk. Here are some tips to ensure your scrub suit is properly disinfected:
Different fabric types may require specific washing techniques to maintain their quality and appearance. Here are some general guidelines:
Proper storage of your scrubs is also important to observe when trying to extend their lifespan. Here are some tips to properly store your scrub suits:
Despite our best efforts, sometimes our scrubs may become damaged or worn. Here are some tips to ensure that your scrub suit can be properly repaired before considering replacing them:
Caring for your scrubs is an essential part of maintaining a professional appearance and ensuring your personal safety in the healthcare setting. Taking care of your scrubs will ensure they last longer, remain in top shape, and make you feel confident in your professional attire.
At Caring Support, we’re dedicated to providing the best services to our healthcare workers, offering them assistance from admissions help and job placement to providing a marketplace for their duty essentials and self care. We strive to contribute to the maintenance of a professional and safe work environment in healthcare facilities.
If you’re a healthcare professional in need of a fresh new pair of scrub suits, explore high-quality options in the Caring Support Marketplace today.
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