When and How Often Should You Replace Your Pediatric Nursing Scrubs?

Scrubs are the standard uniform for all healthcare professionals, no matter their job role. So whether you are a nurse, doctor, lab technician, or manage the front desk, you must wear a pair of pediatric nursing scrubs every day to work.

Your scrubs are a simple, no-nonsense piece of clothing that protects you from various infectious substances you might catch in the hospital environment. They also ensure that you stay comfortable during long and intense shifts.

Since you wear scrubs daily to work, they are exposed to excessive wear and tear. So, it becomes essential to replace your scrubs at regular intervals. It will ensure that you stay protected and have an immaculate appearance.

This brings us to our main question: when and how often should you replace your scrubs?

Well, there is no fixed answer to this question, as the lifespan and durability of your scrubs depend on several factors.

And that’s what we are going to talk about in this article. Today, we will walk you through some key factors determining when and how often you should replace your medical scrubs. So, let’s get started!

The Nature of Your Job

One of the most significant factors that determine the lifespan of your scrubs is your job role. For example, if you are a nurse, who spends a considerable part of your day working in the trauma room or the ER, your scrubs would be exposed to bodily fluids like blood more frequently than someone working in the lab.

It also means that you’ll have to disinfect and wash your scrubs more frequently. Thus, they will have a shorter lifespan and need frequent replacement.

Similarly, if you work as a receptionist at a medical facility, you and your scrubs won’t come in contact with chemicals and infectious bodily fluids that frequently. So, they won’t require a lot of intense washing and will stay durable and last much longer.

Your Work Hours

If you work full-time every day, it’s natural that your scrubs will get worn out faster than someone who works part-time or only on weekends.

When you wear your pediatric nursing scrubs for ten to twelve hours shifts every day, you’d need to wash them regularly and more frequently. But unfortunately, this will cause the fabric to lose its appeal and be ineffective in protecting you from contaminants.

Therefore, if you are a full-time healthcare professional, it is recommended to use high-quality scrubs and replace them once every year.

Furthermore, if you work full-time in a trauma room or ER, where your scrubs regularly get soiled with blood, urine, chemicals, etc., you must replace them every six to seven months. For part-time workers and temps, replacing your scrubs every two or so years is sufficient.

Quality of The Fabric

How often you need to replace your scrubs depends on the fabric and their overall quality. Usually, low-quality scrubs made from inferior materials get worn out quickly and require frequent replacements.

On the other hand, high-quality scrubs are durable and can easily last for more than a year despite regular use.

As far as the fabrics go, linen and polyester are generally more durable and last longer than cotton in the long run. However, cotton is more comfortable, soft, and breathable.

So, the kind of scrubs you should go for depends on the nature of your job and your specific preferences.

It is advisable to choose superior and well-built scrubs rather than cheap ones. Better quality scrubs are way more expensive than the cheap ones, but they are worth every penny.

Further, we recommend you opt for dark-colored scrubs as they don’t fade as quickly as the lighter shades like pink and blue.

Exposure to Infectious Elements

If your job role requires you to work in the surgical department, you will be exposed to the patients’ bodily fluids every day. In this case, you’ll need to change your scrubs several times a day or after every surgery to maintain good hygiene.

Similarly, if you work with patients having highly infectious diseases, you’ll need to change and disinfect your scrubs more frequently. This will help you avoid the risk of catching the same infection.

Consistent disinfecting or washing takes a toll on your scrubs. It causes the fabric to lose its shine and texture. Regular washing also causes the threads to become weaker and more prone to breaking, thereby creating a need to replace the scrubs.

Therefore, if your scrubs are exposed to harmful contaminants, it’s recommended to replace them at least twice a year, even if you disinfect them daily.

You Should Also Replace Your  Pediatric Nursing Scrubs if They are Uncomfortable or Ill-fitted

Working as a medical professional is not easy. It is a demanding job where ten to twelve-hour shifts are pretty standard. So, it is essential to have super comfortable clothes that don’t hinder your work.

Therefore, if your pediatric nursing scrubs are uncomfortable or they don’t fit you correctly, you must replace them as soon as possible. No matter how new a pair of scrubs is, you should avoid wearing them to work if they are uncomfortable.

They will distract you and won’t let you perform your job perfectly. And you cannot afford to do that when you are in charge of the well-being of so many patients.

Additionally, if you notice signs of wear and tear like loose threads, fading, or holes in the fabric, it is a clear sign that you need to replace your scrubs.

The Bottom Line

Your medical scrubs are an integral part of your life as a healthcare worker. And thus, it is crucial to replace them in time and ensure that you always wear good-quality scrubs to work.

There is no standard answer to how often you should buy new scrubs. But paying close attention to them will help you figure out the proper schedule for replacing your pediatric nursing scrubs before they start looking too worn out and old.

FAQs

How long do scrubs last?

The average scrub will last between 3 and 6 months, but this varies depending on how often you use it and how well you take care of it.

To make your scrub last as long as possible, make sure to rinse it off after each use and hang it to dry.

Avoid leaving it in a moist environment, as this can cause the fabric to break down prematurely.

How many pairs of scrubs should you own?

As many as you can get your hands on! Kidding, kidding 😉 I would say a minimum of 1-2 pairs, but 3-4 would be great if you could swing it.

The main reason you want to have multiple pairs of scrubs is always to have a clean pair to wear. If you’re like me and tend to spill things or sweat a lot during your workday, then having multiple pairs is vital! And if one pair happens to get stained or too smelly for comfort, you don’t have to go through the hassle of washing them – swap them out for another pair.

Can you wear scrubs more than once?

The answer to this question is a resounding yes! There are many ways that you can wear your scrubs more than once.

One way to wear your scrubs more than once is to wash them in cold water and then hang them to dry.

This will help to preserve the color and fabric of your scrubs. You can also air-dry your scrubs by hanging them outside on a clothesline. If you have access to a clothes dryer, you can also dry your scrubs in there on the low heat setting.

Should scrubs fit tight?

There’s no right or wrong answer to this question; it all depends on what you’re comfortable with. Some people feel more confident and stylish in skin-tight scrubs, while others prefer a looser fit. Ultimately, it’s up to you!

What to know when buying scrubs?

When buying scrubs, it’s essential to know what you’re looking for. Firstly, always look for comfortable and well-fitting scrubs. You’ll be wearing them all day, so you’ll want something that’s not too tight or too loose.

Secondly, make sure the fabric is high quality and breathable. You don’t want to be sweating in your scrubs all day long.

And lastly, choose a style that you like. There are many different styles and colors to choose from, so find something that you’ll feel good wearing every day.

Are there plus-size scrubs available?

There are plus-size scrubs available! And not just for XXL folks, but for those up to size 5XL. You can find a wide variety of flattering and comfortable styles online or in stores. Just be sure to measure yourself carefully to get the best fit.

What scrub material is best for nurses?

Nurses need a scrub material that is absorbent and durable. A good scrub material should soak up blood and other body fluids without leaving stains.

It is also essential that the material withstands wear and tear so that you can use it multiple times. Some materials that meet these criteria are cotton, rayon, and polyester.