How often do you wash your scrubs? :)

Nurses General Nursing

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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 ?

8 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..

That is nice that your job provides you with the scrubs. ? I am lucky that at my new job I have the same color. Only one color of pants (white) is not permitted.

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7 hours ago, JBudd said:

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?

Yep, that is why I wash it after each shift. Just was curious if everyone does it as well. I like the idea of getting 6 sets and wash it every 2 weeks... but it will be sitting there 2 weeks...

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I was asking because we moved from our own house with washer and dryer to temporary renting apartment with washer and dryer on site and not free. I used to wash every single set after each shift. I didn't even let my kids hug me till I take it off and throw it into my washer machine and take 1 hour shower. Now I will be washing 3 sets every week then. ?

Other day I was talking to our techs and nurses how I feel relived every time after taking a shower after my shift. It turns out, not everyone take shower after their shifts because "I am so tired"! ?

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I have 20 pairs of scrubs I wash after use daily , When I work cath lab none

I also have over 60 pairs of shoes I also have wash daily in their own washing machine

Yeah hospitals are gross

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Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

I dry clean all my scrubs by throwing them in the dryer when I get home from work.

8 hours ago, JBudd said:

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

I figure it gets hot enough in the dryer that it's going to kill any pathogenic organisms that may have hitched a ride on them.

If the heat doesn't kill them, I'm sure they'll die from TBIs suffered while being knocked around during the rotation of the dryer drum.

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Specializes in OB.

Oh, so you're asking if others do a load after every single shift and don't let the dirty scrubs sit in the hamper? No, I do a load when I'm out of clean ones, usually about every two weeks. I no longer work in the biohazard that is med/surg, but I do deliver babies so I occasionally get blood and/or amniotic fluid on my scrubs---so far, I'm not dead ? I do find scrubs only last a couple of years with the frequent washing.

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Specializes in Dialysis.
3 hours ago, Tron8622 said:

I have 20 pairs of scrubs I wash after use daily , When I work cath lab none

I also have over 60 pairs of shoes I also have wash daily in their own washing machine

Yeah hospitals are gross

We're related! I have 26 sets of scrubs, and 54 pairs of work shoes. I put scrubs in hamper and wash every few days-they are separate hamper from regular clothes. My shoes also get cleaned daily. My coworkers thought that I was the only monster who did this! I work in dialysis, which means I wear a soak resistant gown to cover most of it, but do get the occasional blood on lower pant leg

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

And kick off your nursing shoes at the door as well. No telling what's on them...

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I read the title to this thread and tried to wrap my brain around the idea that anyone who wears scrubs to work DOESN'T wash them after every single wearing. Nope, can't wrap that one up...it's a disgusting concept to me to NOT wash scrubs after every single wearing. I don't work bedside anymore, I wear business casual and I STILL wash my clothes (that have been in a hospital in the world) after every single wearing. People sweat. Germs climb. Ick.

When I did wear scrubs I'd put them in their own hamper and wash weekly on their own load.

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All of my scrubs are dark navy and I wear black shirts underneath. I do wash them after one shift but I run a separate cycle for scrubs and work shirts: "for darks" detergent, cold water, pre-soak, gentle cycle, and warm (not hot) dryer.

I usually wait until I have 3 dirty sets before I start a load. I don't get dirty at work, just sweaty.

6 hours ago, Tron8622 said:

I also have over 60 pairs of shoes I also have wash daily in their own washing machine

Please elaborate on your shoe washing machine!

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

We went to a dress code last year. I HAD 30 sets of scrubs and laundry is done weekly/every other week at my house (hubby is law enforcement so he has uniforms)

Now, I have 6 sets of scrubs so that I can go two weeks. Saves wear and tear on them. I have found a Cherokee style that I love, they aren't that expensive and hold up well with washing.

My scrubs are washed separately from hubby's clothes and the kids clothes. I tend to put my own clothes in one load. I don't like washing my underwear with my two teenage sons' icky socks LOL

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9 hours ago, RNinheart said:

Yep, that is why I wash it after each shift. Just was curious if everyone does it as well. I like the idea of getting 6 sets and wash it every 2 weeks... but it will be sitting there 2 weeks...

2 hours ago, Alex_RN said:

All of my scrubs are dark navy and I wear black shirts underneath. I do wash them after one shift but I run a separate cycle for scrubs and work shirts: "for darks" detergent, cold water, pre-soak, gentle cycle, and warm (not hot) dryer.

I usually wait until I have 3 dirty sets before I start a load. I don't get dirty at work, just sweaty.

Please elaborate on your shoe washing machine!

just a have a 2 washing machines and a dryer . I wash my personal clothes in a different washer from my work clothes.

6 hours ago, Hoosier_RN said:

We're related! I have 26 sets of scrubs, and 54 pairs of work shoes. I put scrubs in hamper and wash every few days-they are separate hamper from regular clothes. My shoes also get cleaned daily. My coworkers thought that I was the only monster who did this! I work in dialysis, which means I wear a soak resistant gown to cover most of it, but do get the occasional blood on lower pant leg

Yeah the comment Im getting tired of is “ Wow another paor of new shoes .”

Im like no theyre 2 years old byt I just keep it clean

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