Cleaning Scrubs

Before you toss your scrubs in the wash, stop to check what type of material they’re made of. Depending on the material, you’ll want to approach things differently to ensure you keep them in great condition.

How to Wash 100% Cotton Scrubs

The biggest concerns with washing 100% cotton scrubs are the potential for shrinking or dye bleeding from the fabric. Follow these directions for best results:

Wash Inside Out: Turning your scrubs inside out will help protect the outside layer from pilling from contact with other fabrics in the wash.
Wash in Cold Water Only: Cold water protects the color of your scrubs, preventing dye bleeding. The warmer the water, the greater the chance of bleeding.
Dry on Low: Excessive heat from dryers is what causes shrinking in 100% cotton. Tumble dry on the lowest setting or hang them out

How to Wash Polyester-Cotton Blend Scrubs

Unlike 100% cotton, polyester-cotton blends show less wear and tear over time from using your washing machine. That said, there are still some general tips to follow:

Wash Inside Out: While not as crucial as for cotton fabrics, this can still help keep the outside of your scrubs bright and soft.
Wash in Warm Water: Warm water is more effective at removing stains than cold water, but hot water should still be avoided to prevent setting protein-based stains such as blood, urine, feces, or vomit.
Dry on Medium: High heat will still shrink some polyester blend fabrics, especially if they’re new. Air drying is still the best option to prevent this.

How to Remove Stains from Scrubs

Stains are unavoidable. Life is messy and accidents happen, but the important thing is knowing the proper steps to take when cleaning your scrubs. The process will vary depending on the type of stain, so we’ve listed a few of the most common type of stains you might run into.

Ink: Ballpoint and water-based ink stains are usually a combination of grease and dye, so acting fast is the best way to get ink out of scrubs. Gently blot any excess ink if it is still wet. To remove the rest, add rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, or hairspray. This will dilute the stain and help it come out easier in the wash.

Deodorant: These stains are caused by a combination of sweat mixing with the slats and other ingredients within deodorant. The best way to get deodorant stains out of scrubs is with baking soda. Create a paste with a 3:1 ratio of baking soda to water and use a toothbrush to massage the paste into the stain. For white scrubs, another option is to soak the deodorant stain in a mixture of equal parts water and hydrogen peroxide, which has bleaching qualities. Let the paste or mixture sit for at least an hour before washing.

Blood: As mentioned above, blood is a protein stain, so avoid hot water to prevent setting the stain. First, soak your scrubs in cold water to help dilute the stain and remove any excess from the fabric. Then apply a strong detergent and allow it to soak in for 5-10 minutes before washing as normal.

Dye: In addition to pens, dyes are commonly found in medications to add color. To remove dye stains from scrubs, allow them to soak in a solution of cold water and oxygen-based bleach for one to eight hours before washing. Since the bleach is oxygen-based, this process is safe for all scrub colors and fabric types.

Urine/Feces/Vomit: Just like blood, these stains are protein-based, so avoid hot water. Start by removing any excess material by gently running the edge of a spoon along the fabric. Don’t apply too much pressure or rub against the stain with another type of fabric or you could set the stain further into your scrubs. Next, run cold water through the stain and apply a strong detergent just as you would with a blood stain. To help ensure your scrubs come out smelling fresh, include a half cup of baking soda in the washing cycle.

Extra Tips for Washing Scrubs

As you learn how to wash your scrubs and develop a routine, keep these additional tips in mind for best results:

Quality: Only wear the highest-quality scrubs to ensure they’ll last for years to come.

Vinegar: Add a half cup of vinegar the first time you wash your scrubs. This will help set the color to prevent fading. You can also add a half cup of vinegar to subsequent rinses as a softener.

Separate: Consider separating your scrubs from other clothes you’re washing to prevent cross-contamination of any germs or stains.

Gloves: Wear gloves while handling your dirty scrubs to prevent transferring germs. This is also a good option if you or someone in your household is immunocompromised.

Check: Always remember to check your scrubs carefully to ensure stains were removed before putting them in the dryer, which will set the stain. Stains are sometimes hard to see when scrubs are wet, especially if the fabric is dark, so consider letting your scrubs air dry first, just to make sure the stain came out.

Sources

Hunker. “How to Use Vinegar in the Washing Machine to Set Colors” https://www.hunker.com/. 31 July 2020.
CottonMill. “How do I Care for My 100% Cotton Clothes” https://www.cottonmill.com/. 31 July 2020.
wikiHow. “How to Wash Cotton Polyester” https://www.wikihow.com/. 31 July 2020.
Tide. “How to Remove Ink Stains” https://tide.com/. 31 July 2020.
Nivea. “How to Remove Deodorant Stains” https://www.nivea.com.au/. 31 July 2020.