Nursing scrubs have changed very little over the years. Yes, there were those sleek gray factory uniforms with the spandex and cotton combinations 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 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 has not changed: no matter where nurses go, they want white vinegar. A whole lot of it. Lay a white shirt by hand is not an easy job, and the fabric can easily become stained by the residue left behind from the detergent. So it’s a fantastic thing that hospitals and medical care centers now have a quick wash-clothe solution: a quick trip to their pantry and a quick run to their white vinegar…
“What is in a bottle you ask?” Well, besides white vinegar, there are a couple of other things you’ll need for your quick trip to the laundry room. 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 1 cup of white vinegar with two cups of warm water in a spray bottle, and use this option to wash your uniforms. Repeat the process as needed until the stains are removed.
Medical staff also handle 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 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 on hand though, or it will get expensive!
A quick trip to a local scrub store is all it takes to update your wardrobe. A visit to a wash shop changes your perspective about what’s available. As an example, instead of thinking only of black and white scrubs, think about 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’s 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 wash your nursing scrubs, you need to take a moment to blot the stains out with a stain remover like rubbing alcohol. Some stains, such as blood or bodily fluids, will soak in and will leave a blot. To remove these stains, try blotting with alcohol on a piece of cotton and then wiping it with cold water.
Now that you are wearing clean scrubs uniforms, it’s time to upgrade 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 pick a color scheme that will go well 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 good in navy, gray, brown, or black.
Selecting the kind of scrub is crucial too, as you don’t want your scrubs to battle with everything you are wearing. You want 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 blue or green, be sure the pattern isn’t too busy so that it will not stand out in your professional attire. If you do not feel comfortable wearing that patterned scrub, then go 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 wish to show will be concealed, which makes you look even more professional. Since nurses spend so 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 trousers, 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 perfect for the office. These kinds of scrubs are made very comfortable by their reflective material 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 are a great deal more comfortable. Whichever type of nursing uniform you choose, you’re guaranteed to look amazing!