Keeping scrubs white - tips?

[Raven Sierra, BSN, RN]

So we wear all-white scrubs (down to the shoes and jacket) for clinicals. Anyone have tips or suggestions on how to keep these things looking nice? Complicating factor: the supplier has warned us that bleaching will make them turn yellow....

[RiaWndrful]

I managed to keep my son's all white baseball uniform white the entire season by using a scoop of OxiClean, and Clorox2 in addition to my usual detergent (Cheer). For any stains, you treat the spot with the Clorox2 before washing.

[Lev, MSN, RN, NP]

Wear isolation gowns whenever possible.

[OnlinePersona, LPN]

Prayer

[MsCupcakes]

I use OxiClean on mine, and make sure to wash them only with other white clothing. Haven't had them get dingy yet.

[sbaker935]

I also had white uniforms in nursing school. Just wash regularly and iron them. You'll be fine

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Check your water hardness and alter your wash cycle accordingly. This, I learned from cloth diapering for a few months with my babe. If you have hard water adding softener like Calgon or washing soda helps, also avoid second rinses. When clothes start to look dingy strip them using RLR (homemade) version. They come out looking brand new. If you look at cloth diapering communities like "fluff love" you can learn a ton about the science behind laundry

[muirite]

What is RLR

[HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD]

Peroxide is your friend. It will work wonders on just about any type of organic stain. Srsly, blood stains simply disappear after applying peroxide. It's the basis for OxyClean. Very cheap, odorless and readily available. Just splash/dab some on the stain and watch it work very quickly. Blot the area and it air dries very quickly. In my white uniform days, I had it stashed everywhere, including my car & locker at work.

Now, let's talk about the most important issue with white uniforms...... underwear choices. Srsly. No one wants to see your smiley-face underoos. The best option? Undergarments with ample coverage (no thongs) in a color that best matches the wearer's skin tone.

[mountainclimber]

I second the peroxide comment— a life saver for blood stains!

[PrnAdnST]

I have to wear all white scrubs too. I find that if I use Murphy's Oil Soap, it is in the cleaning isle, it keeps my whites really white. I use a 1/2 cup to a cup depending how big my laundry load is.

When washing whites, I also use chlorine bleach Murphy's Oil Soap, and detergent, and let them soak for an hour or so.

If your white scrubs drag the ground, or if you get ink on your scrubs; take a scrub brush and a bit of Murphy's Oil Soap and it will get those stains out too!

Murphy's Oil Soap also works on greasy jeans (if hubby or you are a mechanic). It is biodegradable as well. I've used it for over 20 years. It works on any color, and won't affect the color at all.

I have heard Oxi-based cleaning agents are damaging to your clothing but I would use it if I had blood on my clothing. I find that hydrogen peroxide works the same as the Oxi-based detergents for that. When I'm finished I'm going to donate my scrubs back to my school, they will take them and give them to someone who needs them. Good luck!