If you work in the medical industry, whether in a hospital, clinical setting, or dentist office, you know how grueling and intense the days can be. You are often incredibly focused on taking care of patient needs and finding ways to help them feel better. While this can be tough on your emotional, physical, and mental wellbeing, it can be equally tough on your Cherokee scrubs uniforms.
Scrubs are a necessity when it comes to protecting medical personnel, whether it is a nurse, dental hygienist, dentist, doctor, or surgeon. To ensure that your Cherokee scrubs uniforms are performing optimally, you need to keep them in top condition.
Throughout the day, there is a chance that they will get exposure to dirt and grime, as well as contaminants. When that occurs, you need to get them clean and disinfect them. Below are the ways to accomplish that task.
Best Washing Method
Many people believe that to get their scrubs clean, they need to wash them in hot water. They think that this is the best (and only) way to disinfect them. However, if you are looking for a way to ensure that your scrubs last for as long as possible, you might consider turning them inside out and washing them in cold water. You’ll then want to dry them immediately.
Not only does washing your Cherokee scrubs uniforms in cold water protect them from fading and other wear and tear, but it can also remove stains. Hot water can set stains into your scrubs or cause the fabric to fade. If they look dirty and unkempt, you may need to change out of them, and that then renders that uniform useless.
When it comes to drying your scrubs, you want to make sure that you set your dryer on the lowest setting possible. You always want to make sure that they are dry before putting them on. A recommendation is that you never reuse scrubs without washing and drying them. Having a pair for each day of the week you work can help with that endeavor.
Best Disinfection Method
No matter how cautious you are, there may be times when you are exposed to a contaminant. Such contaminants might include patient fluids, including blood or waste, or laboratory chemicals. Other contaminants might consist of food stains. To prevent the spread of pathogens, you must clean your scrubs as soon as possible.
To disinfect your scrubs at home, you’ll want to add some white vinegar to the washing machine during the wash cycle. This method is especially beneficial for colored scrubs and will not only neutralize the contaminants but also make the fabric soft.
If you have white scrubs, you can add bleach to the washing machine to disinfect them. You also have the option of using color-safe bleach for scrubs that aren’t white, but be aware that this could fade the colors after multiple washes.
For best results, it’s once again recommended that you wash your scrubs in cold water. The extra additives you place in the machine will decontaminate the fabric better than hot water. A good idea is to wear gloves when handling contaminated Cherokee scrubs uniforms to reduce the risk of infection.
In the medical profession, your scrubs are an essential part of your daily wear. To ensure that you look clean and professional, as well as to remove any potential contaminants, you need to take proper care of your uniform.