Spring Cleaning Your Workwear: Tips for Scrub Maintenance
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As the weather warms and spring begins to bloom, there’s no better time to refresh not just your home—but also your work wardrobe. For those in healthcare, your scrubs are more than just clothes—they’re a daily uniform of service, strength, and professionalism. But between the long shifts, constant movement, and exposure to all kinds of spills, scrubs can wear down quickly without the right care.
This spring, take a moment to give your scrubs some TLC with these practical maintenance tips to extend their life, preserve comfort, and keep you looking and feeling your best.
1. Treat Stains Right Away
Scrubs often fall victim to tough stains—blood, iodine, ink, and more. The key to keeping them looking clean is fast action. As soon as a spill happens, pre-treat it with a stain remover, hydrogen peroxide for protein-based stains (like blood), or a paste made from baking soda and water. Let it sit before washing—don’t let stains set in.
2. Use Cold Water for Washing
Although hot water may seem like the best way to “disinfect,” it can actually break down fabric fibers and fade colors faster. Washing your scrubs in cold water helps preserve the integrity of the fabric while still cleaning thoroughly. It also helps prevent shrinking—especially important for fitted scrubs.
3. Separate Scrubs from Other Laundry
Scrubs should be washed separately from items like towels, jeans, or heavy cottons. Washing them with rough or lint-heavy items can lead to pilling and fiber damage. Separate dark and light-colored scrubs as you would with any clothing to avoid color transfer.
4. Avoid Fabric Softeners
Fabric softeners may make your clothes smell great, but they can coat fabric fibers and reduce breathability, stretch, and moisture-wicking performance—especially important features in modern scrubs. If you’re looking for a gentler solution that still fights odors, add a half cup of white vinegar during the rinse cycle.
5. Be Gentle with Drying
Heat is one of the biggest culprits behind shrinking and fiber breakdown. Whenever possible, hang your scrubs to dry or tumble dry them on a low heat setting. This not only prolongs fabric life but also helps maintain the shape and fit.
6. Disinfect Without Damaging
If you’re concerned about germs, use a laundry disinfectant that’s safe for colored fabrics, or add a cup of white vinegar to the wash. Avoid using undiluted bleach on colored scrubs—it can weaken the fibers and create uneven fading. Save bleach for white scrubs only and even then, dilute properly.
7. Iron with Care (If Needed)
If you want your scrubs to look extra crisp, you can iron them—but use a medium or low heat setting. Some modern scrub fabrics (like poly-spandex blends) are wrinkle-resistant and don’t require ironing at all.
8. Rotate Your Sets
If you wear the same scrub set day after day, it wears out quickly. Having at least 3–5 sets to rotate throughout the week reduces wash frequency for each pair and minimizes stress on the fabric. This also gives you more time to properly air-dry and care for each set between wears.
Bonus Tip: Do a Seasonal Purge
Take a look at your current scrubs. Are any of them faded, fraying, or no longer fitting properly after a body change or weight loss? Spring is the perfect time to retire those sets and replace them with ones that offer both comfort and a polished, professional appearance.
Conclusion
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home—it’s for your scrubs too. By implementing these simple care practices, you’ll not only extend the lifespan of your workwear, but also ensure you feel confident, comfortable, and ready to take on every shift.
Looking for a refresh?
Cozyfit offers modern, thoughtfully designed scrub sets made with soft, breathable fabric and easy-care features—so you can focus on caring for others while we take care of your wardrobe.