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The Lifespan of Scrubs

Medical uniforms – especially scrubs – are some of the hardest-working uniforms on the planet. Not only do they get worn for much longer hours than most uniforms, they are also subjected to some of the worst stains imaginable.

To keep up with all these functional demands, medical uniforms require the most rigorous cleaning and disinfecting.

It is not surprising then, that scrubs suffer some of the biggest and quickest signs of wear and tear of any work uniform. So, understanding the lifespan of scrubs has huge impacts for your business. 

How long can scrubs be used before they need replacement?

Medical workers may find themselves buying one too many scrubs far too often. How soon is too soon, anyway, before you can expect frays, rips and discoloration on scrubs? Just how long is their lifespan?

The answer.

There is no hard rule on how long each pair of scrubs should last for each worker. There are many factors to consider when predicting just how long each pair could go for, but one of the most significant is the frequency of use and the quality of the material.

Expect scrubs with frequent use to need replacements within a year.  

How to lengthen the lifespan of scrubs:

Thankfully, there are maintenance tricks and tips that will add more years to your medical uniform’s lifespan. Here are some of them:

• Wash as soon as possible. Scrubs treated at home tend to be dumped in the hamper for longer than necessary. For health and safety concerns, scrubs should be washed immediately after use because of the microbes and disease-carriers they hold.
• Pre-rinse with heated water. Industry standards dictate for  medical uniforms to be pre-rinsed in water that is precisely 100 degrees Fahrenheit. It is just the right temperature to remove bits of gunk and debris that may be stuck on the fabric, while not too high as to cause stains to stay on the clothing.
• Disinfect more than once. The kind of contaminants medical uniforms get exposed to are no secret. Whether they are lab gowns, scrubs or a regular shirt and trousers, hospitals are hot hubs for bacteria and germ transfers. That is why disinfecting with an effective and possibly anti-bacterial cleaning agent is a must for scrubs.
• Use color-safe bleach for colored scrubs. Standard bleach absolutely cannot be used for colored fabrics as it can cause the dye to fade. Keep your colored scrubs vibrant with color-safe disinfectants.
• Do a thorough rinse. Detergent particles left out to dry on the fabric can cause significant damage to the fibers of the cloth and may age the fabric as well as cause rips and frays. Rinse with temperature-controlled water.
• Store properly. No textile expert can emphasize this more. Proper storage adds significantly to any clothing’s life span. Make sure your uniforms are neatly ironed, folded, and kept in proper storage. For medical uniforms, it is important to seal the garments and, if possible, only take them out inside hospital premises to avoid carrying in bacteria.

The Best Way to Improve the Lifespan of Scrubs

The best way to save on medical uniforms is to implement a rental program. It is ill-advised to take home used clothing from medical facilities due to the risk of cross-contamination.

In the hands of a proper, reliable, and expert linen service facility – one that’s armed with years of experience and top-of-the-line linen care technology – you won’t just get more years for your medical uniforms. More importantly, you’ll save time and money!

Learn more about the Crown Linen medical uniform rental program and get a free quote for the service you’re interested in today!