How to Choose the Right Fabrics for Your Scrubs

Being sanitary is everything when it comes to hospital dress code. Using scrubs derived from the right fabric is crucial too, if you have specific expectations or preferences. So what are the best fabrics for scrubs? Our nursing attire guide below will help you with what you need to know. 

Why Fabric Choice is Important When Purchasing Scrubs 

Buying scrubs can leave you spoiled for choice, as there are a plethora of fabrics, blends, finishes, new designs, cuts, and colors to select from. Here's why selecting the correct fabric type for medical wear is important. 

• Comfort levels - You may want to choose stretchable blended synthetic materials like rayon and spandex for added flexibility, as you are constantly on the go. 
• Durability -  Scrubs need to be super durable for those famously long hospital hours, making a polyester-rayon blend a great choice. 
• Some fabrics fade - Scrub wear tends to fade with all those disinfecting hot water washes. 
• Softness: Not all scrubs are created equally, so if a luxurious feel is what you’re looking for, pure cotton scrubs are the softest.

There are several factors to consider when choosing fabrics. We've outlined them below.

Primary Considerations When Choosing the Right Fabric 

Besides your comfort level, you may have a range of other preferences for scrubs. You could base your choice on whether your scrub fabric has the following qualities. 

Is the Fabric Fluid-Repellent?

As a medical professional, spills on surgical wear are often unavoidable. This makes wearing fluid-repellent scrubs a plus. A fluid-repellent fabric will also help to eliminate bacteria acquisition, by removing stubborn microorganisms on the fabric. It’s imperative to choose a scrub fabric that has been treated via a moisture-wicking finish. This enables the fabric to absorb the liquid and dry easily. 

Choose Antimicrobial Fabrics  

The technology utilized in antimicrobial fabric provides a barrier that protects the fabric from microbes that cause mold and mildew. The barrier helps eliminate bacteria that cause odor too. These antimicrobial brands stay fresher for much longer, thus requiring less washing. This extends the lifecycle of your scrub wear, as excessive washing can promote fabric degradation. This material is also a tad more puncture-resistant against tearing than other fabrics. 

Does the Fabric Fade Easily?

As we’ve mentioned, scrubs are frequently washed items. You should opt for nursing attire that won’t fade or weaken easily. Fabric manufactured from synthetic fibers retain clothing dye for longer than natural fabrics. So, if you’re looking for a more fade-resistant medical wear fabric, perhaps opt for polyester, instead of 100% cotton.

Is the Fabric Shrinkable?

If you’ve bought scrubs a tad too big, and you were looking for form-fitting ones, chances are you won’t mind if your go-to uniform shrinks to your ideal size. However, if perfectly fitting scrubs shrink to the extent of not fitting you any longer, you’d have a problem. The onus is on you to choose surgical wear that's not prone to shrinking. You should ideally choose a synthetic fabric like nylon or polyester, as this is chemically treated to prevent shrinkage. Be careful not to apply excessive heat to this though, as this could cause fiber shrinkage. 

Is it Wrinkle-Resistant? 

Life as a medical professional can become hectic, and you may not even find the time to iron your scrubs. If this is the case and you’re a neatness fanatic, wrinkle-resistant scrubs made of polyester are probably your best bet.  

Types of Fabric and Its Pros and Cons 

Scrubs are essentially made with four types of fabric. You may also use scrub wear made of blended fabrics like polyester and spandex or polyester and cotton, to enjoy the best-combined qualities of each fabric. Here’s a bit more on each key type, as well as its benefits, and when not to purchase these. 

Spandex 

This fabric is super comfy and flexible, as it stretches. The best feature of this is that it doesn’t lose its original shape when you remove the garment. It’s also easy to wash and has moisture-wicking properties. However, the disadvantage of wearing this is that it’s not very breathable or ideal for summer. 

Polyester 

Polyester is strong, washes easily, doesn’t wrinkle, and wicks moisture. You may however want to rethink buying polyester scrubs if you dislike static electricity accumulating on your medical wear. 

Cotton 

Cotton is strong and biodegradable and does not emit static electricity. It’s also one of the lightest, most breathable fabrics and it washes easily. It may shrink when you wash it in elevated temperatures though. Cotton doesn’t do great with wicking fluids too. Therefore if you love cotton but want to stay drier for longer, it’s best to purchase blended cotton and polyester scrub wear.  

Rayon 

Rayon stretches easily, is breathable, and is soft. However, this material is a lot like viscose and does not stretch easily. 

Knowing Your Fabric Can Help You Save 

Knowing whether a fabric provides the qualities you’re looking for in nursing attire is essential. That way you’ll prevent disappointment, as you won’t need to waste time or money buying the wrong product. Our scrubs are made with a range of high-quality fabrics to suit your every need.