Nursing scrubs have changed very little through the years. Yes, there were those glossy gray factory uniforms with the spandex and cotton combinations that made you want to shout. But there was always one piece that was out of place, which was the apron. Yes, scrub pants. It’s remarkable 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 progressed significantly over time, but one thing has not changed: regardless of where nurses go, they need white vinegar. A lot of it. Washing a white shirt by hand is not an 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 medical care centers now have a quick wash-clothe alternative: a quick trip to their pantry and a fast 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 need for your quick visit to the laundry area. White vinegar is fantastic for staining those pesky stains on nursing scrubs, since 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 needed until the stains are removed.
Medical staff also handle 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 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 available though, or it will get expensive!
A fast trip to a local wash shop is all it takes to update your wardrobe. A visit to a scrub store changes your perspective about what is available. For instance, instead of thinking only of white and black scrubs, think about 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’s 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 moment to blot out the stains with a stain remover like rubbing alcohol. Some stains, 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 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 need to decide on 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 great in navy, grey, brown, or black.
Choosing the kind of scrub is crucial too, because 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 choose a solid color like green or blue, be sure that the pattern is not too busy so that it doesn’t stand out in your professional attire. If you do not feel comfortable wearing that patterned wash, then go with a plain color and simple design.
For a professional appearance, you should definitely choose scrubs that have a double layer. This way, any dirt or bodily fluids you don’t wish to show will be hidden, which makes you look even 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 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 kinds 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 little bit more dressy than your run-of-the-mill wash pants, but they are a lot more comfortable. Whichever type of nursing uniform you choose, you are guaranteed to look amazing!