How to Wash Scrubs So They Last: Care Guide for Healthcare Workers

Quality scrubs are an investment — and how you wash them decides whether they last three months or three years. Here is the care routine that keeps colours deep, fabric stretchy, and seams intact, shift after shift.

The Golden Rules

• Wash cold (30°C or less): heat is what breaks down spandex and fades colour
• Turn scrubs inside out: protects the surface from friction fading
• Zip zippers and snap snaps: open hardware chews fabric in the drum
• Dry on low, or hang dry: high heat kills stretch fabrics faster than anything else
• Never iron elastic or zippers: if you must iron, low heat on the fabric only

Dealing With Stains

• Blood: rinse in cold water immediately — hot water sets it permanently
• Iodine and betadine: pre-treat with liquid detergent before washing
• Ink: dab rubbing alcohol on the spot, then wash normally
• Grease and ointments: dish soap on the spot works surprisingly well

Modern stain-resistant fabrics release most of this in a normal cold wash — one more reason to buy quality.

Disinfecting Without Destroying

You do not need bleach or scalding water. A normal detergent wash removes pathogens from fabric effectively for everyday ward wear. If your workplace requires disinfection, use an oxygen-based (colour-safe) additive rather than chlorine bleach, which destroys both colour and spandex.

How Often Should You Replace Scrubs?

With this routine, quality sets last 1-2 years of weekly rotation. Replace them when the fabric thins, the colour looks chalky, or the stretch stops recovering. If your scrubs are there now, browse women's scrubs and men's scrubs — free shipping across Canada over $120.

FAQ

Can I wash scrubs with my regular laundry?

Best practice is a separate load — it protects your family's clothes and lets you use the right settings for scrub fabric.

Why do my scrubs pill?

Friction plus heat. Wash inside out, cold, and skip the high-heat dryer.