How to Wash Scrubs So They Look Good and Last Longer

To wash scrubs so they last, follow the fabric’s care instructions, sort by colour, turn garments inside out, avoid harsh bleach on coloured fabric, and do not over-dry them. Most early fading, shrinking and pilling comes from heat and chemicals rather than ordinary wear. A few consistent habits, in the hospital laundry or at home, add a lot of life to every set.

One note before the detail: if your hospital has an infection control or laundry policy for clinical garments, that policy comes first. The tips below are about caring for the garment itself.

Start with the care label

Every set of scrubs should come with care instructions for its fabric. A 100% cotton scrub, a poly-cotton blend and a stretch blend can each need slightly different treatment. Before you set a washing routine for the whole hospital, ask your supplier for the recommended wash temperature, drying method and ironing setting, and share them with whoever does the laundry.

If staff wash their own scrubs, put the key points on a short printed card. People are far more likely to follow three simple rules than a long instruction sheet.

Sort before washing

• By colour. Wash dark scrubs (navy, maroon, bottle green) separately from pale ones (white, ceil blue, light pink), at least for the first few washes when loose dye is most likely.
• By soiling. Heavily soiled garments may need a pre-rinse or a different cycle. Follow your hospital’s procedure for anything contaminated.
• By fabric. Keep stretch scrubs away from very hot cycles meant for linen and towels.

How to wash scrubs: temperature and detergent

Heat is the biggest single factor in fading and shrinkage. Use the warmest temperature the care label allows when hygiene requires it, but no hotter. For everyday washing at home, a warm rather than hot cycle is often enough.

A few more points:

• Use a mild detergent at the recommended dose. Too much detergent leaves residue that dulls colours and stiffens fabric.
• Avoid chlorine bleach on coloured scrubs. It strips dye unevenly. If a whitener is needed for white lab coats or white scrubs, use one suited to the fabric.
• Do not overload the machine. Scrubs need room to move to rinse properly.
• Close drawstrings in a loose bow and empty every pocket. Pens left in pockets are one of the most common causes of ruined scrubs.

Protect embroidery and colour

Turn scrubs inside out before washing. This reduces rubbing on the outer surface, which slows fading and pilling, and protects embroidered logos and names from snagging. If embroidery puckers after washing, press it lightly from the reverse side with a cloth between the iron and the thread.

Wash new scrubs once on their own before mixing them with other laundry, especially in deep colours.

Drying, ironing and storage

Over-drying is a quiet cause of damage. High tumble-dryer heat shrinks cotton, weakens stretch fibres and can make polyester shiny.

Method	Good for	Tips
Line drying in shade	Most scrubs, especially cotton and deep colours	Strong direct sun fades colour over time; turn inside out
Tumble drying on low	Busy laundries, poly-cotton blends	Remove while slightly damp to reduce creasing
High heat tumble drying	Rarely ideal	Use only if the care label allows it

In humid weather, scrubs may take longer to dry indoors. Give them space on the line so air can circulate, and avoid folding them away while still damp.

Poly-cotton scrubs often need little or no ironing if they are hung or folded promptly. Cotton scrubs crease more; iron them at the setting on the care label, and iron over embroidery from the reverse side. Store clean scrubs folded or hung in a dry place, away from damp walls and direct sunlight.

Simple habits that add months of wear

• Keep enough sets per person that each set gets a rest between washes.
• Rotate sets in order rather than always wearing a favourite.
• Treat stains quickly with cold water before they set.
• Mend loose hems and drawstring channels early, before they tear further.
• Retire scrubs that have faded noticeably, so the team keeps a consistent look.

When scrubs still wear out quickly

If scrubs fade or lose shape fast even with careful washing, the fabric may not suit your laundry conditions. That is worth raising before your next order. Our guide on how to choose scrub fabric explains how blend, weight and weave affect durability. Embroidery that distorts after washing may need a different size or backing, which our embroidery placement guide touches on.

How we support scrub care

We make scrubs to order at our unit in Konni, Pathanamthitta, Kerala, and we can tell you how the fabric you choose should be washed. A sample can be made before bulk production, so you can put it through your own laundry first; any sample charge is stated in the quote. We keep records of fabric, colour and style, so replacement sets match the ones already in use.

To plan scrubs that suit your laundry routine, see our medical uniforms page or contact us for a quote.