What temperature should you wash scrubs at, how do you remove stains and how do you protect colour? See practical care rules for medical clothing made with cotton, polyester, viscose and elastane.
What temperature should you wash scrubs at? Quick answer
Most scrubs containing elastane should be washed at 30–40°C. Cotton and cotton-polyester styles can sometimes be washed at 60°C, but only if the care label allows it. If scrubs used as workwear are contaminated with biologically infectious material, the employer cannot assign home laundering to the employee.
Typical temperature ranges look like this:
| Fabric composition and type | Temperature range | What to watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Polyester, viscose and elastane | 30–40°C | high heat, strong spin cycles, hot tumble drying |
| Polyester or polyamide with elastane | 30–40°C | loss of stretch, unsuitable stain removers |
| Cotton, polyester and a small amount of elastane | usually 40°C | 60°C only if the manufacturer allows it |
| 100% cotton | 40°C, sometimes 60°C | shrinkage, loss of shape and faster fading |
These ranges are only guidelines. The care instruction for the finished garment always comes first.
The table is a starting point, not a replacement for the label. Two models with a similar fibre composition may require different care because of differences in dyeing, weight, construction, elastics or finishing.
Washing should therefore be adjusted not only to the label, but also to the type of dirt.
Why is the care label more important than the fibre composition itself?
The number shown in the washing symbol indicates the maximum permitted temperature. A 40°C symbol does not mean that every wash has to take place at exactly that temperature. For light soiling, a gentler cycle may be enough.
What you should not do is raise the temperature to 60°C just because the fabric contains cotton. The care instruction applies to the entire garment — including dyes, threads, elastics, zips, prints and other components.
The symbols used on care labels are described by the current PN-EN ISO 3758:2024-06 standard. They indicate the most intensive care process that should not irreversibly damage the product. [1]
At what temperature should scrubs made of different materials be washed?
Cotton scrubs
Cotton absorbs moisture well and usually tolerates elevated temperatures better than fabrics containing elastic fibres.
At the same time, regular washing at the highest permitted temperature may speed up shrinkage, loss of softness and colour change. Pure cotton in the composition does not automatically mean that the finished top or trousers can be washed at 60°C.
For strongly dyed cotton, it is worth choosing the lowest temperature that removes ordinary dirt and is consistent with the care label.
Polyester scrubs
Polyester is dimensionally stable, dries quickly and performs well in clothing that is washed often. This still does not mean that it automatically needs high temperatures.
Greasy ointments, creams and oils may cling strongly to synthetic fibres. In that case it is better to treat the stain quickly than to try to remove it by repeatedly choosing hotter wash cycles.
Excess detergent can remain on the fibre surface and make the fabric feel stiffer, so it is worth using a dose adjusted to the load size and water hardness.
Scrubs with viscose
Viscose makes a fabric soft, pleasant to the touch and fluid on the body. When wet, however, it usually requires gentler handling than polyester.
With blends containing a high share of viscose, avoid very aggressive spinning, overloading the washing machine and leaving wet scrubs in a closed drum for several hours. Once the cycle ends, take them out, shake them and straighten the seams.
Scrubs with elastane
Elastane is responsible for the stretch of trousers and for the fabric’s ability to return to its previous shape. It usually makes up only a small percentage of the composition, but its condition is quickly noticeable during wear.
One wash at too high a temperature will probably not destroy the trousers. Elastane usually loses elasticity gradually — after repeated washing, hard spinning and hot tumble drying.
Over time, trousers may start to bag at the knees and the waistband may stop returning to its original circumference. A study conducted on several types of elastane knits showed that repeated laundering may change stretch, permanent elongation and recovery. These results cannot be automatically transferred to every fabric, but they do show that the effect of washing depends not only on elastane content, but also on the construction of the material. [2]
See which fabrics UNDAMED scrubs are made from and how the individual fabric lines differ.
Do cooler and shorter cycles protect colour better?
Colour durability is affected not only by temperature. Program length, detergent and the intensity of drum movement also matter.
In a study carried out by researchers from the University of Leeds, a longer cycle at 40°C was compared with a shorter cycle at around 25°C. The warmer and longer wash led to greater colour loss, stronger dye transfer and more fibre release. [3]
This does not mean that all scrubs should be washed at 25°C. It does show, however, that an unnecessarily long and intensive program can speed up wear.
If scrubs are not heavily soiled, there is no need to choose the longest available cycle every time. The program should remove dirt, but it does not need to be more aggressive than the situation requires.
Colour fastness may be assessed according to PN-EN ISO 105-C06:2010, which describes testing resistance to domestic and commercial laundering. Mentioning the standard does not in itself mean that a given model has been tested according to it. If a manufacturer declares such testing, they should have documentation of the result. [4]
How to wash scrubs step by step
1. Empty the pockets
A pen, marker, lipstick or paper tissue can ruin the entire load.
Before putting scrubs into the machine, close zips and snaps, secure hook-and-loop fasteners and loosely tie drawstrings at the waist. This helps prevent accessories from catching on the fabric surface.
2. Turn the scrubs inside out
Washing inside out reduces direct friction between the outer fabric surface, the drum and the rest of the load. It will not stop fading completely, but it can reduce abrasion on pockets, knees and seam edges.
This is especially important for dark and saturated colours such as navy, burgundy, bottle green and black.
3. Separate light and dark colours
Wash navy, burgundy and black separately from cream, pale pink and light blue, especially during the first few cycles.
Do not combine plain scrubs with heavy jeans, rough towels or garments with large metal elements. Friction may speed up the appearance of lighter marks and surface fuzzing.
4. Choose the right detergent
For dark and intensely dyed scrubs, choose a detergent designed for colours. Do not use chlorine bleach unless the care label clearly permits it.
Accidentally used bleach can leave a permanent lighter mark on navy or burgundy fabric.
Do not increase the detergent dose “just to be safe”. Excess detergent may rinse out less effectively, leave residue and make the fabric feel stiffer.
5. Do not overload the washing machine
When the drum is too full, the clothes have less room to move and rinse properly. This can make washing less effective and increase abrasion.
6. Remove garments right after washing
Leaving wet scrubs in a closed machine for hours promotes creasing, unpleasant odours and unnecessary stress on the fabric. It is best to take them out as soon as the cycle ends, shake them and hang or lay them out to dry.
Can you use fabric softener?
Fabric softener is not always a good choice. It may leave a coating on fibres, reduce moisture transport and sometimes change the handle of the material. With fabrics designed for frequent washing and active work, it is best to follow the care instruction and use softener only when the manufacturer allows it.
How to remove stains from medical clothing?
The basic rule is simple: act quickly and do not “set” the stain with hot water or tumble drying before it disappears completely.
How do you remove a blood stain?
Rinse the stain in cool or lukewarm water. Do not use hot water, because it may fix blood proteins in the fabric.
Then apply a suitable stain-removal product according to the fabric type and the manufacturer’s instructions. If the stain does not disappear after washing, do not dry the garment until you repeat the treatment. [6]
How do you remove ointment, cream or oil?
First remove any excess product gently with a paper towel or spoon, without rubbing it deeper into the fabric.
Then use a detergent or stain remover intended for greasy stains and wash the garment according to the label.
How do you remove foundation and cosmetics?
Foundation and coloured cosmetics should be pre-treated before washing. The exact method depends on the stain-removal product and the type of fabric.
As with other stains, it is safer to avoid hot water and tumble drying until the stain is completely gone.
Why do scrubs fade?
Fading is influenced not only by temperature, but also by repeated friction, sunlight, strong detergents and the chemistry used during washing.
Dark colours usually lose visual depth the fastest, while light colours more easily show deposits and dullness. To slow fading down:
- wash scrubs inside out;
- separate darks from lights;
- use a detergent for coloured fabrics;
- avoid unnecessarily long and aggressive cycles;
- do not combine scrubs with heavy or rough textiles;
- dry them away from direct sunlight.
Over time, every intensively used colour changes a little. Correct washing will not stop that process completely, but it can slow it down significantly.
How to dry and iron scrubs?
The gentlest method is natural drying in a well-ventilated place. After removing the garment from the washing machine, shake it out, straighten the seams and hang it so the fabric is not strongly stretched.
Do not place wet scrubs directly on a radiator. Also avoid strong sunlight, especially with navy, burgundy and black.
Use a tumble dryer only if the care label allows it. For materials containing elastane, choose a low temperature. A hot cycle may speed up wear of elastic fibres, elastics, prints and some finishes.
Before ironing, check the iron symbol. Fabrics containing polyester and elastane usually require a lower temperature than pure cotton. Iron inside out and do not place a very hot iron directly on logos, elastics, zips or snaps.
The most common mistakes when washing scrubs
Washing them with towels
Towels are heavier, rougher and often leave fibres on smooth fabrics. After such a wash, dark scrubs may be covered with light lint.
Using vinegar as a colour fixer
Vinegar is not a universal product for fixing modern dyes. Colour durability depends on the fibre type, dye and manufacturing process. Using vinegar may also be inconsistent with the instructions of the washing machine or clothing manufacturer.
Putting stained scrubs into the dryer
High heat may set the stain. Always check the fabric after washing and only then start drying.
Can an employee wash scrubs at home?
If scrubs are workwear used by an employee, the employer is generally responsible for ensuring laundering, maintenance and disinfection. When the employer cannot organise ordinary laundering, this task may be entrusted to the employee with reimbursement corresponding to the actual cost.
The situation is different when the clothing is contaminated with biologically infectious material, chemical agents or radioactive substances. Under Article 237¹⁰ of the Polish Labour Code, the employer may not assign laundering, maintenance, dust removal or disinfection of such clothing to the employee. It should be stored in a place designated by the employer and protected in accordance with the applicable procedure.
The National Labour Inspectorate confirms that a contaminated uniform should not be handed over to an employee for home washing. These provisions apply to employees under an employment relationship; for self-employed professionals or other forms of practice, the rules may also follow from the procedures of the specific facility. [7]
How do we create care recommendations for UNDAMED scrubs?
The fibre composition alone — for example polyester, viscose and elastane — is not enough to define the care method for a finished garment.
Dyeing method, fabric weight and construction all matter, and in the finished model so do the threads, elastics, zips, snaps, logos and the way the individual components are combined.
That is why UNDAMED care recommendations are assigned to a specific model rather than only to the fibre name. The information on the finished-product label always takes priority over general tips concerning cotton, polyester, viscose or elastane.
In intensely used clothing, colour and the surface of the fabric naturally change over time. Proper care can slow this process and help the garment retain its shape, elasticity and even colour for longer.
The most important rules for washing scrubs
- Check the care label of the finished product.
- Wash most blends with elastane at 30–40°C.
- Wash colours separately and turn the garment inside out.
- Remove stains before washing and do not dry the garment until they are completely gone.
- If workwear has been biologically contaminated, secure it according to the employer’s procedure — the employer may not assign home laundering to the employee.
More about construction, materials and how to choose the right set can be found in the article Medical scrubs — a complete guide.
You can also browse the UNDAMED scrub collection and compare available cuts and fabrics.
Sources, regulations and Polish standards
1. PN-EN ISO
3758:2024-06. “Textiles — Care labelling code using symbols”.
Current Polish standard concerning washing, bleaching, drying and
ironing symbols. It replaced PN-EN ISO 3758:2012.
Standard
description in the Polish Committee for Standardization store
2. Çeven E.K., Eren H.A., Karakan
Günaydın G. “Comparison of the Selected Physical Properties of
Elastane Weft Knitted Fabrics Before and After Repeated Launderings”.
Uludağ University Journal of the Faculty of Engineering.
2019;24(1):35–50.
Full
publication
3. Cotton L., Hayward A.S., Lant
N.J., Blackburn R.S. “Improved garment longevity and reduced
microfibre release are important sustainability benefits of laundering
in colder and quicker washing machine cycles”. Dyes and
Pigments. 2020;177:108120.
Full paper
in the University of Leeds repository
4. PN-EN ISO
105-C06:2010. “Textiles — Tests for colour fastness — Part C06:
Colour fastness to domestic and commercial laundering”.
Standard
description in the Polish Committee for Standardization store
5. Siddique A. et al.
“The Effect of Softeners Applications on Moisture Management Properties
of Polyester/Cotton Blended Sandwich Weft-Knitted Fabric Structure”.
Coatings. 2021;11(5):575.
Full
publication
DOI:
10.3390/coatings11050575
6. GINETEX / Clevercare.
Guidance on removing blood stains from polyester, avoiding hot water and
washing according to the care instruction.
How
to remove a blood stain from polyester
7. Polish Labour Code of 26 June
1974 — Articles 237⁹ and 237¹⁰, consolidated text: Journal of Laws 2025
item 277 as amended, and the National Labour Inspectorate.
Employer obligations regarding laundering workwear and the prohibition
on assigning home laundering of clothing contaminated with biologically
infectious materials.
Consolidated
text of the Labour Code — Journal of Laws 2025 item 277
Position
of the National Labour Inspectorate
About the author
The UNDAMED team creates content on materials, construction and care of medical clothing on the basis of manufacturing knowledge, technical documentation, applicable regulations and the indicated scientific and industry sources.