Nursing scrubs have changed very little over the years. Yes, there were those sleek gray factory uniforms with the spandex and cotton mixtures that made you want to shout. But there was always one bit that was out of place, which was the apron. Yes, scrub pants. It’s remarkable how much difference a scrub top can make!
No, we’re not talking about that nurse’s uniform from the olden days. Nursing scrubs have progressed significantly over the decades, but one thing hasn’t changed: regardless of where nurses go, they need white vinegar. A whole lot of it. Lay a white shirt by hand is no simple job, and the cloth can easily become stained by the residue left behind by the detergent. So it’s a fantastic thing that hospitals and health care facilities now have a fast wash-clothe alternative: a quick trip to their pantry and a fast run for their white vinegar…
“What is in a bottle you ask?” Well, besides white vinegar, there are a few 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, since it’s a bleach which will not leave a greasy residue on your clothes. Combine 1 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 needed 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 whole 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 every 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 quick visit to a local scrub store is all it takes to upgrade your wardrobe. A trip to a wash shop changes your perspective about what’s available. As an example, rather than thinking only of black and white scrubs, consider getting a couple more pairs of white and black scrub pants, and maybe even a pair or two of white cotton drawstring pajamas. There are so many variations on nursing scrubs, and it is likely that a scrub store has something to offer everyone. You don’t even need to take the day off of work to get the look you’ve been dying to get.
Before you actually wash your nursing scrubs, you want to take a moment to blot out the stains with a stain remover like rubbing alcohol. Some spots, such as blood or bodily fluids, will soak in and will leave a stain behind. To remove these stains, try blotting with alcohol onto a piece of cotton and then wiping it with cold water.
Now that you’re wearing clean scrubs uniforms, it’s time to upgrade your color scheme. If you are like most nurses, you have light skin and dark hair. If this describes you, then you need to pick 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, grey, brown, or black.
Choosing the style of scrub is crucial as well, because you don’t need your scrubs to clash with everything you’re wearing. You need to look both fashionable and comfortable. 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 is not too busy so that it will not stand out from your professional attire. If you do not feel comfortable wearing that patterned wash, then proceed with a plain color and simple design.
For a professional appearance, you should definitely choose scrubs with a double layer. This way, any dirt or bodily fluids you do not want to show will be concealed, making 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 nice scrub set with a pair of pants, a white or beige shirt, and solid top will always be 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 that you won’t need to worry about being uncomfortable. They are a little bit more dressy than your run-of-the-mill scrub pants, but they’re a great deal more comfortable. Whichever kind of nursing uniform you choose, you are sure to look amazing!