How often do you wash your scrubs? :)

[RNinheart]

Hello, lovely nurses!

We have just moved to MI and I found a lovely job at EC observation unit. So I see a big difference between the hospital I worked at and this magnet hospital. Nurses are so much appreciated and protected from verbal or any abuse here. (Sorry for a long introduction)

So, I just wanted to share this with you. ? I had a little break and I missed my job soooo much! ?

I always wanted to ask other nurses how often you wash your scrubs. I usually throw it into laundry after each shift and its condition gets worn off fast.

So, do you, nurses, wash your scrubs after each shift or you think it is not necessary?

Thank you ?

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

I typically have 6 sets of scrubs (3 for each week, 12 hour shifts), and do laundry at least every 2 weeks. It is my husband and I. I wash it together.

[RNinheart]

4 minutes ago, CalicoKitty said:

I typically have 6 sets of scrubs (3 for each week, 12 hour shifts), and do laundry at least every 2 weeks. It is my husband and I. I wash it together.

That makes sense. I have 3 sets and do laundry every week. So I was thinking if there are other options. ?

[CalicoKitty, BSN, MSN, RN]

Right now, I just started a new job, so haven't bought all those scrubs. 3rd job. 3rd color. My job should send me a link for 3 pairs free.. ?

[JBudd, MSN]

Definitely after every shift. Who knows what you were inadvertantly exposed to, that you don't know about?

Then let it sit and incubate until you put the stuff back on?

and in my house, the dog hair...... lol

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Wait, are you asking if you would ever wear your scrubs again for another shift without washing them?

No, no, no, no, and no. Not if doing direct patient care.

Wash after every shift. No exceptions. I work OR and my scrubs are always subjected to either patient body fluids or my own sweat (we work hard in there, and the fact that the room is very cool doesn't keep us from sweating at intervals). My scrubs go into the laundry bin immediately and are usually washed the next day.

[Luckyyou, BSN, RN]

After every single shift. Period. Ugh. Gross. Can’t fathom any other option.

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

Every shift. If I ran a blue light on my scrubs or even swabbed them and put in a petri dish after each shift, whooo!!?

[Rionoir, ADN, RN]

2 hours ago, CalicoKitty said:

Right now, I just started a new job, so haven't bought all those scrubs. 3rd job. 3rd color. My job should send me a link for 3 pairs free.. ?

This was the deciding factor of where I applied for externships - I can wear any color or pattern I want at the one I chose. ?

[Crash_Cart]

I mean let's' face it, we're all a level two biological hazard by the end of our shifts. ? I recommend utilizing CDC decontamination procedures for your scrubs as appropriate at the end of every shift lol.

I entirely agree, frequent repeated washings does wear them out faster.

However, if you have many different sets of scrubs to wear it helps to spread out the number of times each set are washed, minimizing the problem.

[Davey Do]

9 hours ago, RNinheart said:

I have 3 sets and do laundry every week. So I was thinking if there are other options. ?

I thought of a '70's Mitchum antiperspirant TV commercial where this hairy-chested beefcake says from his bed, "I didn't use my antiperspirant today, and I may not tomorrow even though I perspire profusely..."

[Kujo214, BSN, RN]

If I could burn them and get new scrubs for free, I would. I have four set of scrubs, I wear 3 different scrubs for the 3 days I work then wash them all on my days off. So I wash my scrubs every week which surprisingly has washed well.