How do you keep your uniforms whit as can be?

[mycatmax]

How do you keep your white uniforms white without going to buy new ones every month?

How do you wash them?

[ibmaryann]

I would love to know that also. The only way I know to keep whites white is bleach and I was told that will turn them yellow.

Mary Ann:uhoh3:

[ohmeowzer RN, RN]

when i was in school i used oxyclean. it really helped

[leslie :-D]

most of our uniforms have polyester in it.

when you wash your whites, the bleach only serves to turn them a dingy yellow or gray.

i look for items that are 100% cotton.

then the bleach will work its' magic.

but cotton will wrinkle and stain easier.

your whites, however, will stay as white as white can be.

leslie

[UM Review RN, ASN, RN]

Try using a peroxide-based detergent like Oxyclean?

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

I had what I thought was a ruined white lab coat years ago, when a red ink pen "exploded" inside my pocket. That was when a co-worker told me about Rit "White Wash". You simply fill your washing machine with hot water and when it begins agitating, add the packet of powder to completely dissolve, then your white items. Wash and dry as usual, and you will be AMAZED. This product not only removes set-in stains, but also every shade of dinginess as well.

[rnurse2b]

My mother was a nurse in starting in the 70's, her instructors told her class to use Cascade (powder). Add the Cascade to hot water in your machine, let dissolve and add your whites. I still use this to wash my whites and they never turn dingy. I have also used oxyclean with good results.

[aKyRN81]

Presoaking for awhile with 'Biz' before warm water wash is great for whites no matter what the fabric.

[happybunny1970]

Man, this would have been a useful thread years ago when I was in school... we had to wear white uniforms with this white bib-thingy that had blue stripes for RN students and yellow stripes for LVN students. The year after I graduated they switched to colored scrubs.:roll

[psalm, RN]

If possible wash in cold water, use a minimum of fabric softener...place in dryer for about 5-8 minutes (set a timer or you'll forget), then hang up on hangers. Of course if you have vomit, blood and other nasty stuff on 'em wash in warm/hot.

I was told to use a minimum of fabric softener to avoid spotting on the whites. Good luck.

[EmmaG, RN]

I had what I thought was a ruined white lab coat years ago, when a red ink pen "exploded" inside my pocket.

Something my old charge nurse told me years ago...

Hair spray dissolves ink on uniforms. The old fashioned kind like 'aquanet' works best. I've even removed ink stains that had been through many washings / dryings. It's like magic

Oxydol worked the best at keeping my uniforms white, until I developed an allergy to it

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Okay.

First wash in cold water. Detergent, small amount of bleach, and 1/2 cup of original Cascade with trisodium phosphate in it.

Now wash in hot water. Add nothing.

Now rinse. Add Downy with Whitening - it's blueing, which gets rid of yellow.

If you have a clothes line and a sunny day, dry them on it. Nothing like the sun to bleach them white as can be.