How do you keep your uniforms whit as can be?

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

How do you wash them?

Specializes in ER.

I agree with the sunshine. If you want them "brand new white" wash with a mixture of Gain and Oxyclean, then hang out to dry in the sun. Kept my scrubs beautiful all thru school. Have also washed with Cascade about once a month as well, but have to rewash before wearing due to sensitive skin.

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Specializes in Psych/Rehab/Family practice/Oncology.

If it is still available, there is a product called Iron Out. It helps with hard water deposits, rust, etc. I believe it comes in a powder form. Follow the directions and DON'T do what I did the first time, which is to stand over your washer while you pour it in, thereby breathing it in. Stand away from your washer and pour the correct amount in SLOWLY. I remember it helped me lots. STEP AWAY FROM THE WASHER!!!! Good luck!

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If it is still available, there is a product called Iron Out. It helps with hard water deposits, rust, etc. I believe it comes in a powder form. Follow the directions and DON'T do what I did the first time, which is to stand over your washer while you pour it in, thereby breathing it in. Stand away from your washer and pour the correct amount in SLOWLY. I remember it helped me lots. STEP AWAY FROM THE WASHER!!!! Good luck!
I remember years ago a friend of mine swore by that stuff... her water was terrible when it came to staining her whites. They apparently still do make it: http://summitbrands.com/brands/IronOut.aspx

There's a search function there that will tell you of stores in your area that sell it.

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Hey, nurseaboveboard! You hit the nail on the head!! I have been using ironirout for years! It works gret as long as you follo your instructions, including stnding away from the fumes from the washer!

My hubbie and I (both nurses) don't trade it for anything!! I though5 we were the only ones that used it!

Anne and Brian, RNC

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Specializes in Cardiology, Oncology, Medsurge.

white out! that's right, the stuff to wipe out mistakes on paper, works swell on whites and doesn't come out in the wash. used it in nursing school for those "and i don't know where i got this" blemishes.

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

i got this from the orighnal heloise back in the 70's:

a medical assistant gets whites even whiter by adding 1½ cups of cascade powder and 1½ cups of bleach to hot water and then soaks snow- or mud-splattered white pants for 30 minutes to eight hours. used once a month, it brightens dingy colors.

here we have soft water so really i don't have a lot of problems with dingy whites. but this really does work well on say a nylon slip that hasn't been worn since the last time you wore that sheer white blouse. my friend in florida says their water is hard even though they have a giant softener tank in the garage. she uses this. i usuall take my largest pot, about 10 qts and use it to soak then rinse in the washer before running the load the regular way.

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Specializes in Nurse Scientist-Research.

Another vote for "Iron-out". I have worn whites very rarely but I knew a nurse for several years that was always outfitted in spotless whites, blindingly bright whites. She swore by Iron-out. Like I said, I knew her for several years and her uniforms never got dingy.

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

I concur kizzykatlove - OXYCLEAN has kept my uniforms beautiful and I have had them since this January :)

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.

Hey! And I can still get the Iron Out at Wal Mart. We find it believe it or not in the plumbing area, and it is a powder. you are supposed to use warmer water if possible, but it doen't smell very good just when you add it to the washer. After it dissolves, the smell dissipates quickly. Good luck!!

Anne and Brian, RNC

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Specializes in insanity control.

I can't use a lot of chemicals cause of sensitivites. What I use and have used for over 10 years is a can of coke to the washer. It not only whitens whites but colors also. It also gets out a lot of stains by pretreating. Just saturate the stain and pour the rest in the washer. Have used to take grease out of hubbys jeans to blood from daughtes shirts, to betadine on whites. It is cheaper and not so many chemicals.

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