Should You Wash Your Scrubs Separately? A Guide to Preventing Cross-Contamination
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Learn how to wash scrubs properly to prevent cross-contamination and maintain hygiene in healthcare settings. Keep your scrubs clean and safe with these essential laundry tips!
Medical scrubs are a staple in healthcare settings. Not only are they comfortable for the wearer, but they also create a recognizable uniform for patients. However, the same scrubs that keep your work attire comfortable and your work environment clean can also pose a risk for cross-contamination. In this blog, we’ll discuss the importance of cleaning your scrubs and how to wash medical scrubs to prevent cross-contamination.
Understanding the Importance of Cleaning Scrubs
Healthcare settings, like hospitals and clinics, are environments where the risk of cross-contamination is high. Patients in these settings may have weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to infection. As a result, healthcare workers have a responsibility to take measures to prevent the spread of bacteria and other pathogens. One of the most basic measures is ensuring that your work attire is clean.
Why Scrubs Require Special Attention
While it may seem obvious that you should keep your work clothes clean, the topic of whether or not to wash your scrubs separately is a common point of discussion among healthcare workers. The reality is that while you should always keep your work clothes clean, you should also take measures to prevent cross-contamination in the laundry.
How to Wash Medical Scrubs Properly
When it comes to washing your scrubs, the process is simple. Follow these tips to ensure that your scrubs are clean and that you’re not putting other items in the wash at risk for cross-contamination.
Preparing Your Scrubs for Laundry
Sorting Scrubs from Regular Clothing
The first step in preparing your scrubs for the wash is ensuring that they are clean. Like any other laundry, you should only wash your scrubs when they are dirty. Once it’s time to wash your scrubs, you’ll want to make sure that you’re not just throwing them in the wash with any other clothing.
It’s a good idea to keep your scrubs separate from your regular laundry. If you only wear your scrubs to work, this is an easy way to ensure that you’re not putting your work attire at risk for cross-contamination. Create a separate laundry pile specifically for your medical scrubs.
Pre-Treatment of Stains and Spots
Should you get a stain on your scrubs, it’s a good idea to pre-treat the stain before placing your scrubs in the wash. This will help to ensure that the stain is fully removed in the wash. There are a variety of stain removers and laundry detergents that you can use to pre-treat stains on your scrubs.
Choosing the Right Scrub Cleaner
Selecting Laundry Detergents for Scrubs
When it comes to choosing a laundry detergent for your medical scrubs, you’ll want to choose a detergent that is both effective at cleaning your scrubs and gentle on your skin. Many healthcare workers opt for hypoallergenic laundry detergents. However, if you don’t have a sensitivity to regular laundry detergent, you can also opt to wash your scrubs with a mild detergent that you would typically use to wash your delicates.
It's wise to steer clear of fabric softeners and dryer sheets when washing your scrubs. Although these products can make your clothes feel soft and smell fresh, they might leave a residue that irritates the skin of both the wearer and the patient. Instead, consider using vinegar as a natural alternative to keep your scrubs clean and fresh without the unwanted residue.
Using the Correct Water Temperature
Another common question is what water temperature to wash your scrubs in. Generally, it’s a good idea to follow the care instructions on the label of your scrubs. This will ensure that you’re not washing your scrubs in water that is too hot and that you’re not washing them in water that is too cold.
When your scrubs are heavily soiled, it's a good idea to wash them in hot water to effectively sanitize and kill off as much bacteria as possible. Additionally, think about using a colour-safe bleach in your wash to enhance your laundry detergent's ability to combat bacteria.
Preventing Cross-Contamination in Scrubs Laundry
The Role of Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
Healthcare workers are tasked with upholding exceptional hygiene standards both at work and at home. This is particularly crucial in environments where the risk of cross-contamination is significant. Besides washing scrubs after every use, it's important to avoid wearing them in public places like public transit or grocery stores and take steps to prevent cross-contamination in the laundry.
Tips for Effective Disinfection Post-Wash
After you’ve washed your scrubs, it’s a good idea to take measures to ensure that your clean scrubs stay clean. When it’s time to take your scrubs out of the wash, make sure that you’re handling them with clean hands. It’s also a good idea to clean the area of your laundry machine where you keep your dirty laundry. By keeping this area clean, you can prevent the spread of bacteria and other pathogens in your laundry.
Best Practices for Maintaining Your Scrubs
Frequency of Washing vs. Longevity of Scrubs
It’s no secret that the more you wash your scrubs, the faster they’ll wear out. That’s why it’s a good idea to invest in a quality pair of scrubs and to follow the care instructions to ensure their longevity. We recommend having a selection of scrubs that you can rotate throughout the week. This will help to reduce the frequency that you need to wash your scrubs, ultimately extending their lifespan.
Storing Scrubs Safe from Contaminants
After you’ve washed your scrubs, it’s important to store them in a clean area. We recommend keeping your clean scrubs separate from your regular clothing. Whether you choose to store your scrubs in your room or in a separate closet, the key is to keep them in an area where they won’t come into contact with other clothing.
Conclusion: Ensuring Safety and Cleanliness
At the end of the day, the answer to the question “should you wash your scrubs separately?” is yes. While you don’t need to wash your scrubs in a separate load, you should take measures to prevent cross-contamination in the laundry. Create a separate pile for your medical scrubs and wash them with a detergent that is gentle on your skin and doesn’t leave a residue on your clothing. And, always wash with clean hands and a clean machine to ensure that your clean scrubs stay clean.
By following these tips, you can ensure that your scrubs are clean and that you’re not putting other items in the wash at risk for cross-contamination. And, by maintaining the cleanliness of your scrubs, you can help to prevent the spread of bacteria and other pathogens in healthcare settings.
For more information on cleaning scrubs and other healthcare apparel, check out our selection at Uniform Pros and our blog!