Laundering medical scrubs at home has been a controversy for about as long as there has been a recognizable connection between environment and infectious diseases or illnesses. At one time, all institutes or facilities regulated the ability to launder these garments at home. Usually, accepted practice was that the facility laundered the apparel to insure the sanitation and cleanliness of the apparel and the connected environment by which the apparel was actually worn. This had many benefits, but there have also been arguments for laundering that professional clothing at home.



With so many infectious pathogens finding a home on medical scrubs, relieving those pathogens of a permanent home is the goal. Spreading of diseases, illnesses, and other such uglies is only going to happen when the medical scrubs are laundered thoroughly and appropriately. This means the appropriate temperature of water and heat. In addition, this means the garments must not come into contact with the household laundry. Obviously, this can be a tedious process, and if the medical professional skips a step, the sanitation is not guaranteed.

There are many reasons why laundering medical scrubs at home is a plus and many why this is a negative.

Medical scrubs can be expensive to launder for the facility, and this expense is passed onto the patient or clientele. With the rising cost of medical attention, finding ways to save money is a necessity, and self-laundering of the work wear is often an easy step that can save $20,000 or more annually depending on the facility. On the flip side, many people argue that it is the responsibility of the facility to insure the sanitation of the garments.

Many people simply prefer to launder their own medical apparel. There are many reasons why this is a preference. For one, some people simply prefer to handle their own garments. Another reason may be that with self-laundering, the individual knows for sure the processes taken to insure a sanitary piece of clothing. Other people may just prefer to do their own laundry in general.

As discussed previously, another important concept of self-laundering is how many pathogens are killed through the sanitation process. Many people believe that the water or the heat from the dryer cannot get hot enough, while others believe that, if done correctly, their water and heat will get just as hot as the medical facility.

Then there is the storage. Institutions and facilities insure that the garments are stored in such a fashion to guarantee the sanitation of the apparel. The individual self-laundering the medical scrubs needs to insure the garbs are not stored with everyday, household clothes. They also must be stored away from smoke such as chimney smoke or cigarette smoke. In addition, these must be secured against other allergens such as mold, pet dander etc.

There are numerous bonuses as well as detriments to self-laundering, but that does not mean common facility preference or individual preference will change. With the appropriate measures in place, self-laundering your work wear can be and will be just as sanitary as those completed by the institute.

More and more facilities are choosing to allow both. Self laundering is an option, but the facility also provides sanitary garbs.