The Best Detergent for Medical Scrubs: A Scrubs Care Guide
Bacteria.
Viruses.
Vomit...
...and goodness only knows what else.
You don't have to be a germaphobe to understand the importance of clean scrubs.
Medical scrubs aren't just your typical load of laundry.
Besides ridding them of the creepy-crud, you want to be sure your scrubs keep their color and professional appearance.
What is the best detergent for getting your medical scrubs squeaky clean?
This guide will walk you through the top tips on what to use when washing your scrubs.
Other Scrubs
Our Scrubs
Thin fabric
Boxy and unflattering
Needs layers over and under
Can’t wait to change clothes
100% lined
Feminine tailored shape
No need to layer
Don’t want to take them off
What To Wash Scrubs With: Does the Type of Detergent Matter?
Gentle detergents with added color-safe bleach are the best choice for washing medical scrubs.
Color-safe bleach helps to remove stains and odors while being gentle on the fabric.
Color-Safe Bleach: Is This the Best Detergent for Scrubs?
You probably know there are several types of bleach.
A bottle of liquid bleach is composed of sodium hypochlorite, more commonly known as chlorine.
Color-safe bleach, on the other hand, can be found in both liquid or powdered forms and utilizes hydrogen peroxide as its active ingredient.
Whitens
Deodorizes
Disinfects
Brightens colors, and
Removes stains
Color safe bleach is a great choice for washing medical scrubs.
Best Odor Removing Detergent for Medical Scrubs
You don't have to wear scrubs very long to know that they sometimes start smelling a little “off.’
What can you do to get rid of the funky odor?
Baking soda is a heavy-hitter when it comes to removing odors. Add ½ cup to your laundry to freshen and soften your scrubs.
White vinegar is another great option. It not only kills odors but also removes any detergent buildup that might be plugging fibers in the fabric, thus causing an odor. Again, ½ cup per load may be just what you need.
Can White Vinegar Be Used As A Detergent for Scrubs?
We have all seen the articles touting, “101 Ways to Use White Vinegar.”
Any chance some of those amazing ideas might work for washing medical scrubs?
It just so happens that white vinegar is a laundry super-star in a couple of areas:
It works as a disinfectant
It boosts stain-removal; and
It can be used as a pre-soak for a brand-new pair of scrubs. The vinegar helps to set the fabric dyes, preventing fading.
Adding ½ cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle also makes a great fabric softener when washing medical scrubs.
And since many medical facilities try to remain scent-free, a white vinegar rinse is the perfect way to soften your scrubs without adding the scent of commercial fabric softeners.
Best Detergents to Pretreat Medical Scrubs
Working in a medical facility, you are sure to come across copious amounts of germs and stains including:
Blood,
Feces,
Urine, and
Other bodily fluids.
And let’s not forget ink stains, because almost every medical worker has at least 1 pen in their pocket.
In this section, we'll talk about the best type of detergent for scrubs.
Enzymatic Detergents
“Discover the stain-boosting power of enzymes.”
Are the commercials telling the truth?
And are enzymatic detergents useful for washing medical scrubs?
Yes, and yes.
Enzymatic detergents are backed by science and are capable of breaking down:
Blood,
Mucus,
Feces,
Vomit,
Urine, and
Food stains
The Best Detergent for Medical Scrubs: Gentle Detergents
While your scrubs take the brunt of a myriad of stains, most of those stains are organic in nature.
This means they are made up of all-natural elements, such as food, dirt, liquids, or body oils.
Organic stains respond well when treated using a gentle detergent.
Gentle detergents are also the best choice because other detergents may contain harsh chemicals that can damage the appearance and shorten the longevity of your scrubs.
Top 4 Tips for Caring for Medical Scrubs
We have talked about using the right stain remover and detergent for scrubs.
Here are even more ideas for ways to keep your scrubs in tip-top condition.
#1: Prevent Color Fading By Turning Your Scrubs Inside Out to Wash
How does this help?
For starters, it keeps your scrub tops and pants from fading.
When you turn your scrubs inside out for washing, the insides of your clothes, rather than the outsides, are what take a beating in the washer.
Washing medical scrubs inside out prevents damage, such as pilling, to the outside of your clothes.
Following this simple rule will go a long way towards keeping the outsides looking great.
And purchasing top quality scrubs, like the ones found at Silver Lining Scrubs, reduces the chance of fading, too.
#2: Use a Gentle Wash Cycle
You’re already using a gentle detergent.
Continue the tender loving care by washing medical scrubs on a gentle wash cycle.
As long as you have adequate water in your washer, a heavy agitation cycle is unnecessary.
This keeps your precious scrubs from getting holes, tears, or snags.
And are you aware that washing your scrubs on a heavy cycle can cause excess wear and thinning of the fabric?
Nobody wants to be cold at work.
Silver Lining Scrubs offers high-quality, lined, and tailored scrubs to keep you warm all winter-or in the dreaded office AC.
#3: Pay Attention to the Material of Your Scrubs BEFORE Washing
Always read the fabric-care label on your scrubs before you toss them in the washer.
Certain materials call for specific care, so be sure to check out what the manufacturer recommends when washing them.
#4: Wash Them Twice
Wash, and then wash again.
For sanitation purposes, many recommend using two cycles when washing medical scrubs:
For the first cycle, add gentle laundry detergent and ¼ cup of white vinegar to cold water.
Set your water level to high so the scrubs have plenty of room to swish around in the washer.
When the first cycle is complete, remove your scrubs and check one more time for any stains you may have missed.
Re-treat, if necessary, and then toss them back in for round two.
This time, add the suggested amount of color-safe bleach along with another ¼ cup of white vinegar.
Use warm water this time around to aid in disinfecting.
Looking for High-Quality Scrubs that Are Easy To Clean?
Are you ready for a fresh set of scrubs?
Maybe your old ones are looking a little ratty or you'd like to change things up a little with a new style.
With so many brands to choose from it can be tricky to find the brand that best meets your needs for style, comfort, and longevity.
Look no further.
At Silver Lining Scrubs we’ve got you covered.
Our scrubs are:
High quality
Stain-resistant
Wrinkle resist
Lined
100% warm
Oh, and they wash like a dream.
