Common mistakes when washing medical uniforms (and how to avoid them)

Many healthcare professionals believe they're taking good care of their scrubs… until they start to get stiff, fade, or smell bad after each shift. The truth is, small laundry habits can drastically shorten the lifespan of your scrubs.

1. Use chlorine to disinfect and remove stains

Chlorine seems like the logical solution, but it actually weakens the fibers, hardens the fabric, and accelerates discoloration , especially in dark uniforms.

How to avoid it:

• Opt for oxygen-based bleaches
• Use stain removers specifically designed for technical clothing.
• Wash immediately after your shift to avoid permanent stains

2. Wash with very hot water

Hot water affects the elasticity of the fabric, causes shrinkage, and deteriorates the fluid-resistant finish.

Recommended alternative:
Warm water between 30° and 40°C.

3. Using too much detergent

More detergent doesn't mean cleaner. Excess detergent leaves residue that traps bacteria and causes unpleasant odors.

What to do instead:

• Use reduced doses
• Choose cycles with a good rinse.
• Avoid very thick detergents

4. Mixing scrubs with towels or other garments

Towels shed lint, denim scratches the fabric, and street clothes transfer bacteria.

The correct thing to do is:
Wash the scrubs separately and with soft-textured garments.

5. Leave the scrubs to soak for many hours

It seems useful, but prolonged soaking weakens the fibers and leads to bacterial buildup.

Ideally:
Do not exceed 20–30 minutes of soaking.

6. Overusing fabric softener

Fabric softener can block the fabric's ability to breathe and affect its quick-drying capacity.

Proper use:

• Use it only occasionally
  
• Look for alternatives like well-rinsed white vinegar

These mistakes are very common, but easy to correct. Avoiding them prolongs the life of medical scrubs, preserves their color, maintains comfort, and reduces costs in the long run. Taking good care of your scrubs doesn't require extra effort: just better washing habits.