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 amazing how much difference a wash top can make!
No, we are not talking about that nurse’s uniform from the olden times. Nursing scrubs have progressed significantly over the decades, but one thing hasn’t changed: no matter where nurses go, they need 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 by the detergent. So it’s a good thing that hospitals and medical care centers now have a quick 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 need for your quick trip to the laundry area. White vinegar is fantastic for staining those pesky stains on nursing scrubs, because it is a bleach which 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 option to wash your uniforms. Repeat the process as necessary until the stains are removed.
Medical staff also handle a great deal of bodily fluids on a regular basis. From blood and plasma 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 which frequently appear on medical staff uniforms. Be sure to keep the oil available though, or it will get expensive!
A quick visit to a local wash shop is all it takes to upgrade your wardrobe. A visit to a scrub store changes your perspective about what is available. For instance, rather than thinking only of white and black scrubs, consider getting a couple more pairs of black and white scrub pants, and maybe even a pair or two of white cotton drawstring pajamas. There are a lot of 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 moment to blot out the stains with a stain remover like rubbing alcohol. Some spots, 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 physicians, you have light skin and dark hair. If this describes you, then you certainly need to decide on a color scheme that will go well with your light skin and dark hair. Nurses with lighter skin often look best in white, pink, light green, or aqua; physicians with dark skin look good in navy, gray, brown, or black.
Choosing the kind of scrub is crucial too, because you don’t want your scrubs to clash with everything you’re 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 blue or green, be sure that the pattern is not too active so that it will not 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 don’t want to show will be hidden, making you look 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 trousers, a beige or white shirt, and solid top will always be comfortable.
Of course, there are also some comfortable scrubs that are perfect for the office. A wash set using 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 material and smooth fit, so that you won’t have to worry about being uncomfortable. They are a little 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 are guaranteed to look amazing!