StaMedical apparel is an investment not just in your wardrobe, but in your professional image and comfort on the job. By adopting thoughtful care and maintenance routines, you’ll not only extend the life of your scrubs and lab coats but also ensure you always look sharp, clean, and ready for action.
Start With Quality
The first step to long-lasting scrubs and lab coats starts before you even put them on when you're buying them. Choose high-quality fabric blends that combine durability with comfort. Cotton-polyester blends are often ideal for scrubs because they hold their color and shape well, resist wrinkles, and are breathable.
For lab coats, look for stain-resistant coatings or wrinkle-resistant weaves. It may be tempting to buy cheaper options, but investing in well-constructed garments with reinforced seams, quality zippers or buttons, and dense fabric pays off in longevity.
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Follow the Care Label Religiously
Every garment comes with a tag for a reason. The manufacturer knows best how to care for the material they've used. Ignoring washing instructions can lead to faded colors, fabric pilling, and loss of shape.
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Cold vs. Warm Washes: Most scrubs do well with cold or warm washes. Hot water can shrink fabrics and fade colors faster unless it's absolutely necessary for disinfecting.
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Dryer vs. Air-Dry: Tumble drying on low is fine for most scrubs, but air-drying whenever possible helps prevent fabric breakdown.
Pro Tip: Wash your scrubs and lab coats separately from other clothes to avoid lint accumulation and color bleeding.
Pre-Treat Stains Immediately
In the medical field, spills and stains are inevitable from iodine and blood to ink and coffee. Pretreating is your best friend when it comes to removing stains without damaging the garment.
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Act Fast: The sooner you treat a stain, the better. Use a gentle stain remover or a paste of baking soda and water.
- Avoid Harsh Chemicals: While bleach might seem like a go-to for white lab coats, it can actually weaken the fabric over time. Use hydrogen peroxide-based stain removers or oxygen bleach instead.
For persistent stains like pen ink or dye, rubbing alcohol can be dabbed gently on the spot before laundering.
Disinfect Without Damaging
Medical environments require garments to be not just clean, but sanitized. Yet, aggressive disinfecting methods can compromise the fibers of your apparel. Strike a balance between hygiene and fabric care:
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Add White Vinegar: A half-cup of distilled white vinegar in your wash cycle acts as a natural disinfectant and deodorizer.
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Use a Disinfectant Detergent: Some detergents are formulated specifically for healthcare uniforms.
- UV Light: Hanging scrubs in sunlight not only dries them naturally but also offers a gentle method of disinfection.
Turn Garments Inside Out Before Washing
This simple step can make a big difference. Turning scrubs and lab coats inside out protects the outer fabric from friction during washing and drying. It helps preserve colors, prints, and embroidery, and minimizes pilling.
Bonus: It also ensures the side most exposed to your body (and sweat) gets thoroughly cleaned.
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Avoid Overwashing
It might sound counterintuitive, but overwashing can do more harm than good. If your scrubs or coat are lightly worn and not visibly soiled, consider airing them out or spot-cleaning instead of tossing them into the washer after every single use.
This approach may not be suitable for clinical settings that demand sterility, but for administrative or non-patient-facing roles, it can extend the life of your clothes.
Designate Work-Only Apparel
Avoid using your medical apparel for errands or casual wear. Wearing scrubs or lab coats outside the workplace increases the risk of contamination and unnecessary exposure to pollutants. It also accelerates wear and tear.
Having a clear “work-only” zone for your garments helps maintain both hygiene and longevity.
Store Them Properly
Caring for your apparel doesn't stop after the wash cycle. Proper storage matters:
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Hang, Don’t Stuff: Avoid folding your lab coat and cramming it into a locker or bag. Hang it on a good-quality hanger to retain its shape.
- Use Garment Bags: If you need to transport your uniforms, consider breathable garment bags. They protect the fabric from dust, spills, and mechanical stress.
Rotate Your Wardrobe
Don’t rely on just one or two pairs of scrubs. The more often a garment is worn and washed, the faster it deteriorates. Having a rotation of at least 3–5 sets allows each item to rest between wears, which helps maintain elasticity, structure, and cleanliness.
Tip: Color-code your scrubs by day or department to make rotation easier and more organized.
Mend Before It’s Too Late
A small tear, loose thread, or missing button might seem minor, but if left unattended, it can lead to bigger damage. Learn basic mending skills or take your garment to a tailor for quick fixes.
Keeping a small emergency sewing kit at home or even in your work locker can save your favorite pair of scrubs from a premature trip to the trash.