Nursing scrubs have changed very little through the years. Yes, there were those glossy gray factory uniforms with the spandex and cotton combinations that made you want to scream. But there was always one piece that was out of place, and that was the apron. Yes, scrub pants. It’s amazing how much difference a wash top can make!
No, we are not talking about that nurse’s uniform from the olden days. Nursing scrubs have improved significantly over the decades, but one thing hasn’t changed: regardless of where nurses go, they want white vinegar. A lot of it. Washing a white shirt by hand is no easy job, and the fabric can quickly become stained by the residue left behind from the detergent. So it’s a good thing that hospitals and health care facilities now have a fast wash-clothe alternative: a quick trip to their pantry and a quick run for their white vinegar…
“What is in a jar you ask?” Well, besides white vinegar, there are a couple of other things you’ll need for your quick visit to the laundry room. White vinegar is fantastic for staining those pesky stains on nursing scrubs, because it’s a bleach that will not leave a greasy residue on your clothes. Combine one cup of white vinegar with two cups of warm water in a spray bottle, and use this solution to clean your uniforms. Repeat the process as necessary until the stains are removed.
Medical staff also deal with a lot of bodily fluids on a regular basis. From blood and plasma to stem cells, there are a lot of different bodily fluids which find their way onto scrubs and uniforms. To keep them from staining your nursing scrubs, dabbing them with olive oil each time they are washed helps a lot. It is a great cheap fix for stains that often appear on medical staff uniforms. Be sure to keep the oil available though, or it will get expensive!
A fast trip to a local scrub store is all it takes to upgrade your wardrobe. A trip to a wash shop changes your perspective about what is available. As an example, instead of thinking only of black and white scrubs, consider getting a few more pairs of black and white scrub pants, and maybe even a pair or two of white cotton drawstring pajamas. There are so many variations on nursing scrubs, and it’s likely that a scrub store has something to offer everybody. You don’t even need to take the day off of work to get the look you have been dying to get.
Before you actually clean your nursing scrubs, you want to take a minute to blot out the stains with a stain remover like rubbing alcohol. Some stains, like blood or bodily fluids, will soak in and will leave a blot. To remove these stains, try blotting with alcohol onto a piece of cotton and then wiping it with cold water.
Now that you are wearing clean scrubs uniforms, it is time to upgrade your color scheme. If you are like most physicians, you have light skin and dark hair. If this describes you, then you want to decide on a color scheme that will go nicely with your light skin and dark hair. Nurses with lighter skin tend to look best in white, pink, light green, or aqua; physicians with dark skin look great in navy, gray, brown, or black.
Selecting the style of scrub is crucial too, because you don’t want your scrubs to battle with everything you are wearing. You need to look both fashionable and comfortable. You can opt for either a solid color or patterned one, but if you choose a solid color like green or blue, be sure the pattern isn’t too busy so that it doesn’t stand out in your professional attire. If you do not feel comfortable wearing that patterned wash, then go with a plain color and simple design.
For a professional appearance, you should definitely choose scrubs that have a double layer. This way, any dirt or bodily fluids you don’t wish to show will be concealed, which makes you look more professional. Since nurses spend as much time in a patient’s room, they want pants that can withstand frequent jumps and changes of direction. A wonderful wash pair with a pair of pants, a white or beige shirt, and solid top will remain comfortable.
Of course, there are also some comfortable scrubs that are fantastic for the office. A scrub set with a thin cotton jersey and a flat top that are mid-calf length is perfect for the office. These types of scrubs are made very comfortable by their reflective cloth and smooth fit, so you won’t need to worry about being uncomfortable. They are a tiny bit more dressy than your run-of-the-mill scrub pants, but they’re a lot more comfortable. Whichever kind of nursing uniform you choose, you are sure to look amazing!