o bleach or not to bleach, that is the question…
And the answer is NO to Chlorine Bleach!
We have poled every uniform manufacturer we work with and it is unanimous: if you're wondering how to wash your scrubs, DO NOT USE CHLORINE BLEACH!
Even when asked about the white lab coats, they all say the same thing, if you feel you must use some type of bleach, it should be a non-chlorine color safe bleach. (This is super important for lab coats with your awesome monogram or other custom logo embroidery! Yes we can do that!)
So what about the good old fashioned way of getting white to look dazzling white? Plain and simple, according to the manufacturers the chlorine bleach is doing more harm to the fabric than good. (Not to mention the frustrating times when bleach residue is left in the washer and you put your favorite top in with the next load and it comes out with spots!) You can achieve the same level of bright white using the non-chlorine color safe bleaches available on the market today.
Laundering instructions for lab coats:
Landau: Machine wash Cold . Do not bleach, Tumble dry warm . Remove promptly. Iron low heat setting
Barco / Grey's Anatomy: Machine wash warm with like colors. Use only non- chlorine bleach is necessary. Tumble dry low. Remove promptly. Iron low if necessary
White Swan / Meta : Machine wash warm with like colors; Permanent press cycle. Use only non-chlorine bleach. Tumble dry medium. Remove promptly. Warm iron if desired.
Cherokee / Dickies: Machine wash cold with like colors. Do not bleach. Mild soaps recommended. Tumble dry low.
MedCouture / Peaches : Machine wash cold with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low. Low iron, if needed. Do not dry clean.
WonderWink: Machine wash warm with like colors. No bleach. Tumble dry low. Warm iron when needed.
Koi: Turn garment inside out to wash and dry. Machine wash warm with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low, remove promptly.
Laundering instructions for colors:
Landau: Machine wash warm . Do not bleach, Tumble dry warm . Remove promptly. Iron low heat setting.
Barco / Grey's Anatomy: Machine Wash COLD with Like Colors Use Non-Chlorine Bleach If Necessary Tumble Dry Low Iron Low If Necessary
Jockey: Wash before wearing. Machine wash in cold with like colors. Use only non-chlorine bleach. Gently cycle. Tumble dry low. Remove promptly.
Cherokee / Dickies: Machine wash cold with like colors. Do not bleach. Mild soaps recommended. Tumble dry low.
MedCouture / Peaches: Machine wash cold. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low setting. Use cool iron, if necessary.
Koi: Turn garment inside out to wash and dry. Machine wash warm with like colors. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low, remove promptly.
White Swan F3 FKA Fundamentals: Machine wash warm with like colors, Permanent press cycle Use only non-chlorine bleach Tumble dry medium Remove promptly Warm iron if desired
( You can find laundering instructions for each item in the product description tab marked Fabric & Care.)
Ok, I think we have the hint. No chlorine bleach. So, what about those difficult stains? Please refer to our blog post BLOOD, CHEMICALS AND STAINS, OH MY! From about six months ago.
(Here it is so you don't have to go searching for it.)
Blood, chemicals and stains, oh my!
There's no denial that soon after purchasing those fresh and oh so clean scrubs, something will spill and stain them. As a nurse or any medical professional, you spend your day dealing with the inevitable, body fluids, dyes and more of all kinds, so what are the magic secrets to getting all those stains out?
Sometimes you just don't have the freedom to rush to a sink and start soaking the stains, but when you can, get to the sink and start the stain removal process ASAP. Acting quickly will help from keeping the stains from settlings in.
Begin by blotting off all excess fluids and rinsing with the correct water treatment based on the type of stain. Knowing the best practices for removing the common medical stains will save you many scrubs over the long haul. We've gathered just a few of the most common scrub stains and what to do to get them clean again!
Blood Stains: Start by soaking in COLD water. Avoiding hot water will help from keeping the blood settling in further. Rub in a bit of heavy duty laundry detergent, one with enzymes (Tide, or many other common household brands are perfect for this!). Let the detergent sit for 10 minutes, and then wash as normal. Before you dry your scrubs, make sure to check for any stain remainders, and treat again if needed. Blood can be one of the trickiest stains to remove.
Special Tip: Blood stains can easily be removed with the salvia from the person's whose blood is on your scrubs. If it's your own blood, toss a little spit onto the scrubs and let soak in before washing as normal.
Medications: Many medications are mixed with an added dye – you'll need a color safe bleach solution for getting the dye removed from your scrubs. Soak the garment for up to 8 hours in the beach and wash with WARM water as normal.
Vomit and Feces: Much like blood stains, these should also be treated as quick as possible with COLD water to help break down and wash away the stains. Avoid rubbing with a cloth or any other objects to keep the stains from being pressed deeper. Again, flush with a steady stream of cold water and spot- treat with a laundry detergent before washing. Got a funky odor along with the stain? Add in ½ cup of baking soda or distilled white vinegar to the wash.
Ointment: The dreaded oil based stains qualify for a HOT water treatment. Again, apply a heavy laundry detergent spot treatment. After letting the detergent soak in for 10 minutes or more, wash through a full cycle in HOT water.
