Knowing how to sanitize a healthcare uniform allows healthcare workers to maintain good hygiene and a professional appearance.
Healthcare professionals face daily exposure to bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. Whether you work in a hospital, clinic, dental office, or long-term care facility, knowing how to properly sanitize a healthcare uniform is essential for protecting patients, coworkers, and yourself. Proper laundering techniques help prevent cross-contamination and maintain a professional, hygienic appearance throughout your workday.
Why It’s Important to Sanitize a Healthcare Uniform
Healthcare uniforms can harbor harmful pathogens such as MRSA, C. difficile, and viruses that survive on fabric surfaces. Improper cleaning can allow these microorganisms to spread beyond the workplace and into homes, vehicles, and public spaces.
Regularly and correctly sanitizing your uniform helps:
- Reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections
- Protect vulnerable patients and family members
- Extend the life of your scrubs
- Maintain compliance with workplace hygiene standards
Step 1: Handle Soiled Uniforms Safely
Before you even start the washing machine, proper handling is critical.
Remove your healthcare uniform immediately after your shift and avoid sitting or lounging in it at home. Place it directly into a designated laundry bag or hamper used only for work clothing. If possible, use a washable laundry bag to minimize direct contact.
Avoid shaking the uniform, as this can release contaminants into the air.
Step 2: Wash Separately From Other Laundry
To fully sanitize a healthcare uniform, always wash it separately from household clothing, towels, and bedding. Mixing loads increases the risk of cross-contamination and reduces the effectiveness of sanitization.
Using a dedicated laundry cycle for workwear helps ensure higher temperatures and proper disinfecting agents are used without affecting other fabrics.
Step 3: Use Hot Water and the Right Detergent
Hot water is one of the most effective ways to kill germs on fabric. For most healthcare uniforms, a wash temperature of 140°F (60°C) is recommended, unless the garment label specifies otherwise.
Use a high-quality detergent designed to remove biological contaminants. For added protection, consider
- Laundry disinfectants approved for medical use
- Oxygen-based bleach for colored uniforms
- Chlorine bleach for white scrubs, when fabric allows
These products help break down bacteria and viruses while lifting stains and odors.
Step 4: Choose the Correct Wash Cycle
Select a full wash cycle with adequate agitation and rinse time. Avoid quick or eco cycles when cleaning healthcare uniforms, as they may not reach temperatures or exposure times needed to fully sanitize fabrics.
An extra rinse cycle can help remove any lingering detergent or contaminants.
Step 5: Dry Completely on High Heat
Drying is just as important as washing when you sanitize a healthcare uniform. High heat further eliminates microorganisms that may survive the wash cycle.
Use a tumble dryer on the highest heat setting safe for the fabric, and ensure the uniform is completely dry before removing it. Damp fabric can promote bacterial growth if stored too soon.
Step 6: Store Clean Uniforms Properly
Once dry, store healthcare uniforms in a clean, closed area away from everyday clothing. Avoid placing them on surfaces where contamination may occur, such as kitchen counters or shared furniture.
Some professionals prefer to keep freshly sanitized uniforms in sealed garment bags or drawers reserved only for work attire.
Additional Tips for Sanitizing Healthcare Uniforms
To maintain the highest hygiene standards:
- Wash uniforms after every shift, even if they appear clean
- Clean your washing machine regularly to prevent buildup
- Avoid wearing healthcare uniforms outside of work when possible
- Replace worn or damaged scrubs that no longer wash clean
Stay Clean, Stay Healthy
Knowing how to properly sanitize a healthcare uniform is a simple but critical part of infection control. By handling scrubs carefully, washing them correctly, and storing them safely, healthcare workers can significantly reduce the spread of harmful germs while maintaining a clean, professional appearance.
Uniform Services from Ace Uniform
To give your business a clean, professional, and cohesive look, rely on Ace Uniform. Whether you need uniforms in the food, automotive, industrial, construction, medical, security, or you-name-it industry, we can provide you with the uniforms you need for the price you want. We can also supply your business with high-quality mats and towels. On top of that, Ace offers facility services that can help keep your business place clean and safe. Give us a call at 1-800-366-1616 or visit us online to learn how we can help meet your needs. Want to get to know us even better? Visit us on social media on Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, and LinkedIn.