How to wash scrubs so they stay clean, soft and bright
Does your new navy set already look grey after a month?
A few small habits keep scrubs clean and bright for much longer. Here is the simple routine nurses and doctors use, from the first wash to the hundredth.
Prices on this page start from KES 1,500. Every price comes live from the Scrubs Kenya shop.
Scrubs that hold their colour wash after wash
How to wash scrubs for the first time
Turn them inside out and wash alone or with similar colours in cold water. This sets the dye and stops colour running onto other clothes.
Add half a cup of white vinegar to the first rinse if the colour is very dark.
Hot or cold water?
Use warm water for everyday washing. Use hot water only when your hospital asks for it or after contact with body fluids. Keep whites separate.
Skip bleach on coloured scrubs. It fades them fast.
How to remove blood stains from scrubs
Rinse with cold water as soon as you can. Hot water fixes blood into the fabric.
Rub a little soap or hydrogen peroxide into the stain, then wash as normal.
Drying and ironing
Dry in the shade, inside out, so the sun does not bleach the colour.
Iron on a medium setting. Stretch sets need little or no ironing.
Washing scrubs in a washing machine
Use a normal cycle, a mild detergent and do not overload the drum. Close zips and empty pockets first. Pens left in pockets are the top cause of ruined scrubs.
Questions people ask
Should I wash new scrubs before wearing them?
Yes. Wash new scrubs inside out in cold water first to set the dye and soften the fabric.
How many washes before scrubs lose their colour?
Good scrubs keep their colour for many months when washed cold or warm, inside out and dried in the shade.
Can I wash scrubs with my other clothes?
It is better to wash them separately, especially after a shift.
Do scrubs shrink?
Cotton rich scrubs can shrink a little in hot water. Poly cotton and stretch blends hold their size.
Ready to order?
Message Scrubs Kenya on WhatsApp with your size and colour. Same day delivery in Nairobi and nationwide shipping.
Order on WhatsAppDr Joanne Medina
Ever been told there are no surgical caps left on a busy ward? Dr Joanne Medina was, as a final year medical student. So she started making her own.
That small fix grew into Scrubs Kenya. Today Scrubs Kenya dresses nurses, doctors, clinical officers and students across Kenya.
Dr Joanne is a medical doctor who trained at Egerton University. She grew up in Kitale and now lives and works in Nairobi. She knows how a twelve hour shift feels, so every Scrubs Kenya set is chosen for comfort, pockets and fabric that lasts.
She also hosts the Medina Dinner, a networking evening for healthcare professionals, and interviews leaders in Kenyan healthcare on her YouTube channel.