Nursing scrubs have changed very little through the years. Yes, there were those sleek gray factory uniforms with the spandex and cotton mixtures that made you want to scream. But there was always one piece that was out of place, which was the apron. Yes, scrub pants. It’s amazing how much difference a wash top can create!
No, we are not talking about that nurse’s uniform from the olden days. Nursing scrubs have progressed significantly over time, but one thing hasn’t changed: regardless of where physicians go, they want white vinegar. A lot of it. Washing a white shirt by hand is no easy job, and the cloth can easily become stained by the residue left behind from the detergent. So it’s a fantastic thing that hospitals and health care centers now have a fast wash-clothe solution: a quick trip to their pantry and a quick run to their white vinegar…
“What’s in a jar you ask?” Well, besides white vinegar, there are a couple of other things you’ll want for your quick trip to the laundry area. White vinegar is great for staining those pesky stains on nursing scrubs, because it is a bleach which won’t leave a greasy residue on your clothing. Combine one cup of white vinegar with two cups of warm water in a spray bottle, and use this solution to wash your uniforms. Repeat the process as necessary until the stains are removed.
Medical staff also deal with a great deal of bodily fluids on a regular basis. From plasma and blood to stem cells, there are a lot of different bodily fluids that find their way onto scrubs and uniforms. To prevent them from staining your nursing scrubs, dabbing them with olive oil every time they are washed helps a lot. It is a great cheap fix for stains which often appear on medical staff uniforms. Make certain to keep the oil available though, or it will get expensive!
A fast trip to a local wash shop is all it takes to upgrade your wardrobe. A trip to a scrub store changes your perspective about what’s available. For instance, instead of thinking only of white and black scrubs, consider getting a couple more pairs of white and black scrub pants, and possibly even a pair or two of white cotton drawstring pajamas. There are a lot of variations on nursing scrubs, and it is likely that a scrub store has something to offer everybody. You don’t even have 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’s time to update your color scheme. If you are like most nurses, you have light skin and dark hair. If this describes you, then you need 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 pink, white, light green, or aqua; physicians with dark skin look great in navy, gray, brown, or black.
Selecting the style of scrub is crucial as well, because you don’t need your scrubs to battle with everything you are wearing. You need to look both comfortable and fashionable. You can opt for either a solid color or patterned one, but if you decide on a solid color like green or blue, be sure that the pattern isn’t too busy so that it doesn’t stand out in your professional attire. If you don’t feel comfortable wearing that patterned wash, then go with a plain color and simple design.
For a professional look, you should definitely choose scrubs that have a double layer. In this manner, any dirt or bodily fluids you do not wish to show will be concealed, making you look more professional. Since nurses spend so much time in a patient’s room, they need pants that can withstand frequent jumps and changes of direction. A nice scrub set with a pair of pants, a white or beige shirt, and solid top will remain comfortable.
Needless to say, 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 fantastic for the office. These types of lotions are made very comfortable by their reflective cloth and smooth fit, so you won’t have to worry about being uncomfortable. They are a tiny bit more dressy than your run-of-the-mill wash pants, but they’re a lot more comfortable. No matter which type of nursing uniform you choose, you’re sure to look amazing!