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The surgical scrubs and lab coats They require proper washing and disinfection between each use to remove stains and prevent exposure to bacteria, viruses, and more. It's a common misconception that hot machine water will kill germs, but most washing machines don't boil water to kill germs. In any case, surgical scrubs can't always be washed in hot water; otherwise, they will shrink or fade.
Instead, always use chlorine bleach for white clothes and pine oil or phenolic disinfectant for colors to properly disinfect your uniforms.
This explains how to wash and disinfect surgical scrubs or surgical scrubs safely at home, in the washer and dryer, after each use so they look good and last a long time.
Instructions for washing a surgical gown
| How to wash medical uniforms | |
|---|---|
| Detergent | Heavy-duty detergent |
| Water temperature | Cool for cotton, warm for blends (polyester, spandex). |
| Cycle type | Regular |
| Drying cycle type | Low (or air dry) for cotton, medium for blends (polyester, spandex) |
| Special treatments | Avoid hot water, turn clothes inside out |
| Iron settings | Hot |
| How often to wash | After each use |
How to wash cotton medical uniforms and gowns
Wash in cold water
Wash 100 % cotton medical uniforms in cold water and strong detergents, such as Persil and Tide.
Add white vinegar
Add 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse water to soften fabrics without adding commercially scented fabric softeners.
Dry the surgical gowns/uniforms
Cotton garments should be dried on the lowest dryer setting or air dried. This will prevent excessive shrinkage and fading.
How to wash cotton-polyester blend medical uniforms
Wash in warm water
Medical uniforms that are 65% cotton and 35% polyester should be washed in lukewarm water with a strong detergent. Turn them inside out before washing. Avoid hot water washes, as they can set stains and shorten the lifespan of your cotton/polyester medical uniforms.
Dry the scrubs
Surgical scrubs or surgical pajamas made of cotton and polyester blends can be dried in a normal heat dryer or outdoors.
TIP: Wash your surgical scrubs inside out. This will prevent the colors from fading quickly and the embroidery will last longer.
NOTE: It is not recommended that you wash your scrubs by hand, as this will not guarantee proper cleaning of the garments.
How to disinfect medical uniforms
Due to the nature of healthcare, treat scrubs as if they have been exposed to bacterial and viral infections. They should be disinfected. It is rare for you or others in your household to become infected by handling this clothing, but to be safe, keep soiled scrubs separate from other garments until you wash them. Scrubs are perfectly safe after washing due to the cleaning process. If you follow the usual washing steps, add a disinfectant, and machine dry, any lingering germs will be eliminated.
Use disposable gloves
Use disposable gloves when handling medical uniforms; always keep clothing away from your face. If someone in your household has a compromised immune system and is responsible for laundry, encourage them to do the same.
Use chlorine bleach for surgical white cotton.
White cotton medical uniforms can be disinfected by adding chlorine (sodium hypochlorite) to the wash cycle. Chlorine bleach should be poured into the washing machine's bleach dispenser or diluted with water before adding it to the washing machine drum. Never pour bleach directly onto clothes.
Use pine oil for colored surgical scrubs and pajamas other than 100% cotton
- For other types of fabrics and colored scrubs, use a pine oil disinfectant, which is effective in warm and hot water. The most common brands are Pine-Sol, Spic and Span Pine, and Lysol Pine Action. Add the product at the beginning of the wash cycle. For it to be effective, the product must contain 80 percent pine oil.
- Another alternative for disinfecting colored uniforms is a phenolic disinfectant, also known as hospital-grade disinfectants. The best-known disinfectant is the Lysol brand. It is available in most areas. Phenolic disinfectants can be added to the wash or rinse water if the rinse water is warm.
Treatment of stains on surgical uniforms
Stains on surgical scrubs are inevitable. Here are some of the most common stains and a list of how to handle them.
- Blood: Always start with a cold water soak. Hot water will cause the blood proteins to penetrate deeper into the fabric, making them very difficult to remove. Never use regular soap. Instead, after removing as much blood as possible from the fabric fibers (use a steady stream of cold water through the fabric), rub in a small amount of strong laundry detergent like Tide or Persil, which contains the enzymes needed to break down the stain. Let the detergent work for five to ten minutes, then wash as usual.
- Vomit, urine, and feces: These are also protein stains and should be treated first with cold water. Remove any solid matter with a tongue depressor or the edge of a disposable spoon or knife. Never rub with a cloth because that will push the stain deeper into the fabric. Again, rinse with a steady stream of cold water and treat it with a strong detergent before washing. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash water to help reduce odor.
- Ointments Use oil-based stain removers that require warm or hot water to remove stains. Remove solids with a blunt tool, without rubbing. Apply a small amount of strong detergent and let it sit for five to ten minutes. Rinse with hot water and wash as usual.
- Liquid medications: The dye added to these medications is what causes the problem. To remove the stain, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach and cold water. Submerge the stained garment and let it soak for at least an hour; longer is better, up to eight hours. This will remove the dye and is safe for all colors and types of exfoliating fabrics. Wash as usual.
- Iodine: Begin by soaking the stain in warm water (approximately 32 degrees Celsius) with an enzyme-based pre-soak product or a strong detergent for about 20 minutes. Cold water is not effective for removing an iodine stain. Then, wash as usual in warm water with detergent and oxygen-based bleach to remove any remaining discoloration. If a stain remains, mix a fresh solution of oxygen-based bleach and warm water. Submerge the entire garment, let it soak for at least four hours or overnight, and then wash as usual. Repeat as needed.
- Unrelated medical blemishes: For non-medical stains, such as mustard from your lunch sandwich, check out these tips for removing specific stains.
How often should medical uniforms be washed?
Wash your medical scrubs after each use. Having fresh, disinfected surgical gowns for every shift is vital to prevent the spread of bacteria and germs. A good quality set of scrubs will last a long time because they are made to withstand repeated washing and drying.
PROPER IRONING OF SCRUBS
Once your uniform is completely dry, you can proceed to iron your clothes gently.
To do this you can use a steam iron or a traditional iron, but always place a cloth between the garment and the iron to avoid damaging the fabrics and seams.
Cotton surgical scrubs are soft and breathable, but they wrinkle when washed, so you'll want to iron them on a warm or cotton setting after washing. While it's not usually necessary to iron medical gowns made from cotton-polyester blends, you can iron them if you prefer. Use a warm to hot setting.
Fluid-resistant surgical scrubs
If you want stain removal to be much easier, consider purchasing pajamas or surgical scrubs that are resistant to liquids or stainsThis way you can keep your uniform looking spotless for longer.
In instamedic you will be able to find a line of scrubs These fluid-resistant suits are ideal for professionals who work with fluids, water, or other contaminants. Their state-of-the-art fabric is designed to protect you from splashes, preventing direct contact between your body and these substances.
What did you think of these recommendations? Follow these tips for the care and maintenance of your surgical scrubs to extend the life of your garments, while also ensuring the safety and hygiene of your work area and patients.
Are you looking for a uniform or surgical scrubs for women or surgical scrubs for menAt INSTAMEDIC, you'll find a wide variety of models in different colors and styles, made with the highest quality fabric to give you the best protection, durability, and comfort during your workday. Discover all our collections here and shop online.
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