How to Wash and Maintain Medical Scrubs: Complete Care Guide (2025 Edition)

Medical scrubs are more than a uniform — they are your daily armour. When your scrubs look good, you feel good. Clean, fresh, crisp scrubs help you:

• Look more professional
• Feel more confident
• Stay hygienic
• Extend the life of your scrubs
• Maintain colour, stretch and comfort

Whether you wear premium 4-way stretch scrubs, cotton-blend scrubs or hospital-issued uniforms, this 2025 care guide will show you the right way to keep them looking and feeling new for longer.

Why Proper Scrub Care Matters

Medical scrubs go through much more than regular clothing:

• Long-hour wear and sweat
• Exposure to body fluids and disinfectants
• Alcohol-based hand rubs and sanitisers
• Constant washing and drying
• Friction from chairs, stretchers and equipment

Incorrect washing can cause:

• Fading and dull colours
• Shrinking or warping
• Pilling and roughness
• Loss of stretch and comfort
• Weakened seams and tears

Proper scrub care means longer lifespan, better comfort and a sharper appearance.

Step-by-Step Guide to Washing Medical Scrubs

Step 1: Pre-Wash Inspection

Before you toss your scrubs into the machine:

• Empty all pockets
• Remove pens, ID cards, alcohol bottles and notes
• Check for stains or spills that need pre-treatment
• Turn your scrubs inside out

Turning scrubs inside out helps protect:

• Colour richness
• Stretch fibres
• Pocket stitching
• Embroidery and logos

Step 2: Pre-Treating Common Stains

Different stains need different approaches. Here are simple, effective methods:

Blood stains

• Rinse with cold water only (hot water sets the stain)
• Apply a small amount of mild liquid detergent
• Gently rub and rinse again

Sweat or deodorant marks

• Use a mix of white vinegar and water on the affected area

Pen or marker stains

• Dab — do not rub — with a small amount of rubbing alcohol

Sanitiser splash marks

• Prevent them by washing scrubs inside out
• Use colour-protect or colour-fix detergents if needed

Step 3: The Right Way to Machine-Wash Scrubs

Choose the right water temperature

• Use cold or lukewarm water (around 20–30°C)
• Cold water helps preserve stretch, colour and softness

Use a mild liquid detergent

• Liquid detergents dissolve better and leave less residue
• Avoid very harsh or heavily perfumed products

Avoid bleach

• Bleach can weaken fibres, fade colours and destroy elasticity

Avoid fabric softener

• Fabric softeners coat fibres and can block moisture-wicking technology in premium scrubs

Wash similar colours together

• Wash darks with darks (navy, black, wine, charcoal, teal)
• Keep very light colours separate

Step 4: Disinfecting Scrubs Safely

Hygiene is essential, but disinfection must be gentle on fabric.

• Add half a cup of white vinegar to the wash or rinse cycle to help kill bacteria and remove odours.
• Use mild, non-chlorine disinfectant laundry additives when needed.
• Always wash scrubs separately from regular clothes to avoid cross-contamination.

Step 5: Drying Your Scrubs

Best method: air drying

• Hang scrubs to air dry in a well-ventilated area
• Dry in the shade to prevent colour fading from direct sunlight

If using a dryer

• Use the low-heat or delicate setting
• Remove scrubs promptly to minimise wrinkles

High heat can damage stretch fibres, reduce elasticity and fade colours more quickly.

Step 6: Ironing or Steaming

Most modern 4-way stretch scrubs are designed to be low-iron or no-iron.

• If needed, use a steamer or a low-heat iron setting
• Iron or steam scrubs inside out
• Avoid ironing directly over embroidery or printed logos

How to Keep Scrubs Odour-Free

Long shifts can lead to trapped odours if scrubs are not washed correctly. To keep them fresh:

• Add 1 tablespoon of baking soda to the wash to neutralise deep smells.
• Add half a cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle to break down odour-causing bacteria.
• Make sure scrubs are completely dry before storing them.
• Avoid leaving damp scrubs in the machine or laundry basket for long periods.

How to Maintain Colour and Prevent Fading

Dark and rich tones like navy, black, wine, olive and charcoal look best when colour is preserved.

To protect your scrub colours:

• Always wash scrubs inside out
• Use cold water instead of hot
• Avoid bleach and very harsh detergents
• Air dry in the shade, away from direct sun
• Wash dark colours with other dark colours only

Premium brands often use fade-resistant dyes, but good washing habits can still dramatically extend the life of the colour.

Special Care Tips for Premium 4-Way Stretch Scrubs

Performance scrubs made from advanced Polyester–Rayon–Spandex blends (4-way stretch) should be treated like high-quality activewear.

For these scrubs:

• Wash in cold water only
• Do not use fabric softener
• Avoid high-heat drying — air dry whenever possible
• Turn inside out before washing
• Use gentle detergents
• Steam lightly instead of heavy ironing

This protects moisture-wicking properties, softness, flexibility, stretch recovery and colour richness.

How Often Should You Replace Scrubs?

Even with the best care, scrubs may eventually need replacement. Consider changing them if you notice:

• Persistent odour even after washing
• Heavy fading or patchy colour
• Thinning fabric or see-through areas
• Torn pockets or weakened seams
• Loss of stretch and comfort
• Significant pilling or rough texture

High-quality, premium scrubs usually last much longer when cared for correctly, making them a smarter long-term investment.

FAQs: Washing & Maintaining Medical Scrubs

1. Can I wash scrubs with regular clothes?

It is best to wash scrubs separately from everyday clothing to maintain hygiene and avoid cross-contamination.

2. Can I use hot water to wash scrubs?

Hot water can damage stretch fibres and fade colours. For most scrubs, cold or lukewarm water is ideal.

3. How do I remove sweat smell from scrubs?

Add baking soda or white vinegar to the wash to combat deep odours, and ensure scrubs are thoroughly dried before storage.

4. Can scrubs go in the dryer?

Yes, but use a low-heat setting and avoid over-drying. Air drying is still the gentlest option.

5. How many pairs of scrubs should I keep?

Ideally, keep at least 3–4 pairs in rotation so each pair gets proper washing and drying time between shifts.

Conclusion

Washing and maintaining your medical scrubs the right way helps you:

• Stay hygienic and odour-free
• Look sharp and professional
• Protect colour, stretch and softness
• Reduce long-term replacement costs
• Get the most out of premium performance fabrics

Your scrubs are a key part of your identity as a healthcare professional. When you take care of them, they take care of you right back.

Scrubs Designed for Style, Comfort and Care.
Look Great. Feel Amazing. Perform Best.

➡ Looking for scrubs that stay new for longer? Explore performance-driven scrubs now.