starch?

[misslo]

I purchased my uniforms for my nursing program and was wondering if it was ok to use starch on them. I found a starch at the store that helps repel stains, but my husband said that you cannot starch uniforms. (his ex is a nurse).

So, do you starch your scrubs? If not allowed, why?

MissLo

[weirdRN, RN]

Starch is not a bad thing in my opinion. I like a light starch that isn't too scratchy when you iron it out. I like the idea of the ironing water. Personally, I find the cleaners too expensive and I am too lazy to do it myself, so if I stain something bad enough, I discard it or use it for gardening or cleaning around the house. The other thing I have found is that I can use the fabric in craft projects, so every summer I donate my shredded scrubs (that have been properly sanitized) to local childrens centers and summer school programs.

[MIA-RN]

The main reason for me wanting to starch them is to keep stains down. We have to wear white scrubs (yikes) and I am a stain-a-phobe..ok, I know that isn't a word but it works! My husband said he used to starch and iron his ex's scrubs and she told him that it was against policy to use starch. Just thought maybe it was a germ thing.

MissLo

If its stains you are worried about, get the Rit White Wash. Its in a small box (like the size of a deck of cards) and I find it at walmart in the laundry section. Its a powder for whites only that goes into the washing machine with them, and it really keeps the whites bright and helps a lot with stains. Plus pre-treat ink, stains etc with oxy-clean spray.

Starch really seems to be best for just keeping the fabric crisp, but not necessarily stain-free, in my experience.