Learning to Wash Clothes

[AragornSkywalker]

So I just got done with orientations a few days ago and saw the awful dove-apparel uniforms I have to wear. They cost more than anything in my wardrobe, breathe like a chain smoker, and feel like 3rd-world burlap.

Ok, enough ranting and onto my question.

My apt doesnt have a laundry room and I dont know if the manager is going to install one anytime soon, so I will likely have to wash my uniform by hand. Does anyone have advice on handwashing blood, vomit, ****, and any other strange chemicals that might get on me?

If I do decide to launder them, should I wash them separately or can I toss it in with my other whites?

How did you deal with washing your uniforms?

Should I post this in general discussions instead since there are more girls there? j/p

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

One thing to watch for with bleach & uniforms - if your uniform top (or lab coat) has embroidered stitching, be VERY careful with bleach. It can sometimes turn black thread to pale brown thread, or red thread to pink.

[Jljkhorton]

There's a lot of good ole fashioned laundry soaps that come in bar form, I can't think of the names of them right now, but they're in any grocery store laundry aisle. Walmart seems to have the best selection. I lived in Brasil, where 3rd world burlap was the norm, and hand washed my clothes for 2 years. The bar soap works excellent on whites, and if you get a stain or something just rub the soap into the clothing dry, maybe with a dab of hot water, preferably from the stove, and let it soak for 10 or 15 minutes. Then you can hand wash or throw it in a reg washer. Knowing the kind of stuff I've gotten on my scrubs, a nice machine makes me feel comfortable, followed by a nice hot dryer.