Is it Time to Spring for New Scrubs?

By Jordie Papa

Image courtesy Uniform Destination

If you live in Florida as I do, you may have noticed that Spring has sprung.  The temperatures are already hovering close to eighty, the birds are singing, and the pollen is wafting through the air.  Since Spring is the time for renewal, I thought I’d take the time to talk about whether it’s time to spring for new scrubs.  Face it, as durable and comfortable as modern scrubs are, they don’t last forever.  Whether you work in a hospital, clinic or private medical practice, sooner or later it’s time to relegate your current scrubs to the rag bag.  

How many times can you scrub your scrubs?

Any medical setting is fraught with the perils of staining your scrubs.  While you can toss today’s scrubs in the laundry tomorrow, the question is how many wash cycles can the average set of scrubs take before they lose their luster?  Than answer is, “It depends.’ First of all, it depends on the thread count and fabric from which your scrubs are made.  Poly/spandex scrubs tend to get slightly stiffer the more times their washed, than do cotton blends.  Secondly, there is the issue of fading.  Colors tend to fade on bargain basement scrubs faster than on premium scrubs.  Last but not least, if you purchased antimicrobial scrubs, they can only take so many wash cycles before their ability to ward off pathogens has all but faded away.  (Although antimicrobial scrubs do tend to last a bit longer than ordinary scrubs.)  To answer my first question, the number of times you can scrub your scrubs is equal to number of stains they receive combined with how hard you have to work to get them clean.  This means if you work in a ward where you frequently come into contact with biological contaminants, 3-months is a typical lifecycle for scrubs.  If you work in a more forgiving environment, you could get twice the life out of your scrubs. 

Fashion Forward

Image courtesy Uniform Destination

Another perfectly legitimate reason to spring for new scrubs is to stay in fashion.  Just as your garden tends to change its appearance with the seasons, so too can fashion forward medical professionals.  The new Spring & Summer 2019 line of scrubs is out featuring sizzling hot colors and new patterns, along with the latest stretch fabrics that are guaranteed to put a spring in your step.  While some healthcare professionals don’t mind wearing the same plain Jane scrubs every day, others find that bold colors and patterns make them stand out from the crowd.

The WOW Factor

Just because you wear scrubs doesn’t mean patients and other staff members don’t notice you.  As they say, “If you want to look professional, you need to act professional.”  Medical professionals need to look their best if patients and other healthcare workers are going to rely on them in time of need.  That being said, if your scrubs are beginning to show their age, the time to spring for a new set should be sooner, rather than later.  Remember that physicians in the 18^th century switched to wearing white lab coats specifically to change the way in which the public perceived them.  The same can be said about tossing out those faded scrubs and buying new to wow the crowd.

A Hard Day’s Night

Face it, most medical professionals work long, hard shifts.  While a 10-hour shift can take the starch out of most people, wearing scrubs that are past their prime can make it seem twice as hard.  Tired scrubs are uncomfortable scrubs that tend to rub you the wrong way…literally.  If your scrubs that were once so soft and flexible are beginning to bind or chafe, chances are they’re on their last legs.  If your top seems too tight in the chest, this could be a result of shrinkage.  If you find your legs sporting a rash, they’re trying to tell you it’s time to toss your scrub bottoms away.  While high-tech fabrics are a wonder that can make you much more comfortable during even the longest shift, when they eventually give up the ghost, you’ll know it as you find yourself haunted by itching, chafing or other minor irritants.

The Hibernation Effect

Image courtesy Uniform Destination

While most Floridians don’t find themselves cooped up indoors for the winter as do those form more northern climes, that doesn’t mean your body doesn’t know the difference between winter and Spring.  By that, I mean that most people tend to be a little more sedentary during the shorter days and longer nights of winter.  As a result, they get less exercise and tend to pack on a few more pounds during the winter.  This extra girth can result in clothes that fit perfectly at the end of summer from becoming a bit too tight for comfort come the Spring.  While starting a new diet is a great way to shed those added pounds, try telling this to your scrubs, especially those that are form fitting.  If you suddenly start feeling like a sausage in a casing, perhaps it wouldn’t be a bad idea to invest in a slightly roomier pair of scrubs that will get you from the end of winter to the start of summer.  In fact, if you’re planning on getting back into the swing of things this Spring, perhaps Athleisure scrubs might be just the thing.  Cherokee has designed an entire line called Luxe Sport that epitomizes athleticism while accentuating comfort.  The line includes everything from vee-neck and mock wrap scrub tops with matching mid-rise straight leg pants, to warm-up jackets designed to keep you comfortable indoors and out. 

A small price to pay for professionalism

Unlike other fashion statements, springing for a new set of scrubs isn’t going to break the bank.  The trick to getting the biggest bang for the buck out of your scrubs is to decide on what you want from them. That’s right, the key to getting the best deal is to decide which is more important, form or function.  Ask yourself how long a typical set of scrubs tends to last you?  Are you looking to own a closet full of low-cost scrubs that aren’t expected to last all that long?  Or, are you more interested scrubs that provide maximum comfort and durability that can stand the test of time?   Once you make this decision, the next step is to spring on down to your local scrubs store to talk to the staff and try on some new scrubs to make sure you spring for the right scrubs for you.

Jordie Papa owns and operates Uniform Destination in Jacksonville, Orange Park and St. Augustine, Florida.  For more information on her locations go to http://medicaluniformsjacksonvillefl.com