Nursing Patches?

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How did you guys soak your patches before sewing it to your uniforms?

I heard 50% vinegar?

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Soak patches?

Are these special kind of patches? If they're just cloth, all you need to do is get the patch wet (not soak it), pat it semi-dry, then sew it on. That's they way I affix patches to military uniforms.

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I think its the regular patch...cotton or polyester...

it does have black colors on it...so the people said that rinse it in vinegar...but Im not really sure.

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.

No-one TOLD me I was supposed to soak it!

Would that have helped prevent all the needle-sticks I got sewing the thing on?

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I have received some patches from volunteering at the hospital and had no idea you could soak them! Thanks for the tip!

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Specializes in Urgent Care.

soaking is something old fashioned I think. If the patch or uniform is going to shrink and they are sewn together first then you get perm wrinkles around the patch. Not likely a problem with the materials modern scrubs/patches are made from (ie NOT 100% cotton, or even close).

If you are concerned, then WASH AND DRY the patch and the uniform once before you sew them on. (old trick from my military days, when uniforms patches did shrink, depending on which it was)

We had no problems w/ patches or scrubs shrinking.

Vinegar is acetic acid (ok mild, but still acid) I dont see how you would accomplish much by doing this.

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Specializes in Staff nurse.

Gosh, I thought this thread was about patches specifically to aid the nurse during a busy shift, one that would transdermally emit caffeine, detrol, stuff like that?

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Specializes in Rehab, Med Surg, Home Care.
Gosh, I thought this thread was about patches specifically to aid the nurse during a busy shift, one that would transdermally emit caffeine, detrol, stuff like that?

Hey I think you've got something there- there would be a BIG market for these!

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Specializes in Staff nurse.
Hey I think you've got something there- there would be a BIG market for these!

Yeah, we shouldn't be surprised if we see it marketed just in time for Nurses' Week, lol! Love to all!:nurse:

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Specializes in ICU,Med-Surg, Sub-Acute, SNF, LTC.

I am soaking my patches right now in the 50% vinegar solution. Our uniforms are all-white, and we were instructed to do the soak to prevent color running.

BTW, this first week has been a wonderful Hell, if that makes any sense.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Home Health.

I just sewed mine on. I had no idea you could soak them.

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Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Vinegar helps to set the dye, that is why it is recommended to soak patch and then rinse first. Cheap dyes run,, it is a good thing to do with some clothing also which you have just bought and are unsure as to the quality of dye used in the fabric.

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