Nursing scrubs have changed very little through the years. Yes, there were those glossy gray factory uniforms with the spandex and cotton mixtures that made you want to shout. But there was always one piece that was out of place, and that 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 improved significantly over time, but one thing has not changed: regardless of where physicians go, they want white vinegar. A lot of it. Washing a white shirt by hand is not an simple task, and the cloth can quickly become stained by the residue left behind by the detergent. So it’s a good thing that hospitals and medical care facilities now have a fast wash-clothe alternative: a quick trip to their pantry and a quick run to their white vinegar…
“What’s in a bottle you ask?” Well, besides white vinegar, there are a couple of other things you’ll want for your quick trip to the laundry room. White vinegar is fantastic for staining those pesky stains on nursing scrubs, because it’s a bleach that won’t leave a greasy residue on your clothing. Combine 1 cup of white vinegar with two cups of warm water in a spray bottle, and use this option 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 plasma and blood to stem cells, there are a whole 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 each time they are washed helps a lot. It’s a great cheap fix for stains which frequently 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 visit to a scrub store changes your perspective about what’s available. As an example, instead of thinking only of white and black 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 is very 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 clean your nursing scrubs, you want to take a minute to blot the stains out with a stain remover like rubbing alcohol. Some spots, like 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 are wearing clean scrubs uniforms, it’s time to update your color scheme. If you’re like most nurses, you have light skin and dark hair. If this describes you, then you certainly 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 pink, white, light green, or aqua; physicians with dark skin look great in navy, gray, brown, or black.
Selecting the kind of scrub is crucial as well, because you don’t need your scrubs to battle with everything you’re wearing. You want to look both comfortable and fashionable. You can opt for either a solid color or patterned one, but if you choose a solid color like green or blue, make sure that the pattern is not too active so that it doesn’t stand out from your professional attire. If you do not feel comfortable wearing that patterned scrub, 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 don’t want to show will be hidden, making you look even more professional. Since nurses spend as 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 always be comfortable.
Of course, there are also some comfortable scrubs that are perfect 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 lotions are made very comfortable by their reflective material and smooth fit, so that you won’t need to worry about being uncomfortable. They’re a little bit more dressy than your run-of-the-mill scrub pants, but they’re a great deal more comfortable. Whichever type of nursing uniform you choose, you are sure to look amazing!