How to Properly Wash and Disinfect Medical Scrubs
Washing Instructions
-
Choose the Right Water Temperature:
- Cotton scrubs: Cold water
- Cotton/polyester blends: Warm water
- Avoid hot water, as it can set stains and damage fabrics.
-
Use Heavy-Duty Detergent:
- Choose a detergent specifically designed for heavily soiled clothes, such as Persil or Tide.
- White scrubs can be washed with chlorine bleach, while colored scrubs should be washed with a pine oil disinfectant or phenolic disinfectant.
-
Add White Vinegar:
- Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse water to soften fabrics and remove odors.
-
Dry on Low Heat:
- Cotton scrubs: Dry on the lowest tumble-dry setting or line-dry to prevent shrinking and fading.
- Cotton/polyester blends: Can be dried in a regular heat dryer or line-dried.
Disinfecting Instructions
-
Wear Gloves:
- Wear disposable gloves while handling medical scrubs to prevent contamination.
-
Chlorine Bleach for White Cotton Scrubs:
- Add chlorine bleach (sodium hypochlorite) to the wash cycle.
- Never pour bleach directly on clothing.
-
Pine Oil for Colored Scrubs:
- Use a pine oil disinfectant that contains 80% pine oil.
- Add the product at the beginning of the wash cycle.
-
Phenolic Disinfectant for Colored Scrubs:
- Lysol brand disinfectant can be added to the wash or rinse water if the rinse water is warm.
Treating Stains
-
Blood:
- Soak in cold water and rub with heavy-duty detergent.
-
Vomit, Urine, and Feces:
- Remove solids and flush with cold water. Treat with heavy-duty detergent and baking soda.
-
Ointments:
- Remove solids and apply heavy-duty detergent. Flush with warm water.
-
Liquid Medications:
- Soak in a solution of oxygen-based bleach and cool water for at least one hour.
-
Iodine:
- Soak in warm water with an enzyme-based presoak or heavy-duty detergent for 20 minutes. Then, wash in warm water with oxygen-based bleach.
Recommended Practices
- Wash medical scrubs after every use.
- Turn scrubs inside out before washing to reduce pilling.
- Avoid getting lotion or perfume on scrubs, as they can discolor fabrics.
- Look for scrubs with a soil-release finish for easy care.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How to wash scrubs for the first time:
- Wash new scrubs in cold water with white vinegar to set the color.
-
Can I wash scrubs with regular clothes:
- No, always wash dirty scrubs separately to prevent cross-contamination.
-
How to stop scrubs from fading:
- Prewash new scrubs with vinegar and turn them inside out before every wash to protect the finish.
-
How often should medical scrubs be washed:
- After every use.
Additional Tips
- Use oxygen-based bleach that has disinfectant qualities.
- Clean and disinfect your washer and dryer regularly.
- Store scrubs in a sterile environment, such as a plastic garment bag or designated drawer.
- Change into and out of scrubs at work to avoid cross-contamination.