How to Wash and Dry Medical Scrubs at Home: Tips for Fast, Safe Drying Without a Dryer

Medical Scrubs are essential for various healthcare professionals including nurses, doctors, vets, and dentists and are the frontline armour for healthcare professionals across Australia.

Whether you're a nurse, doctor, carer, vet or specialist, your scrubs uniforms are exposed to germs, bacteria, and bodily fluids every shift. Washing them properly isn’t just about ensuring comfort—it’s about protecting you, your family, and your patients. But what if you don’t have a dryer?

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

This guide walks you through exactly how to wash and dry medical scrubs at home—without a dryer. These tips are perfect for healthcare workers in apartments, off-grid homes, or anyone looking to save money while maintaining hygiene standards.

🔍 Key Takeaways

• Wash scrubs separately in hot water with a disinfecting detergent.

• Use oxygen bleach or white vinegar for deeper sanitisation.

• Air dry scrubs correctly—turn inside out to avoid fading.

• Use a clothesline or folding indoor airer for space-saving drying.

• Skip fabric softener—it ruins moisture wicking properties.

• Proper care extends the life of your uniform and boosts customer satisfaction.

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1. Why Washing Medical Scrubs Properly Matters

For medical and veterinary professionals, scrubs do more than just look clean—they must be clean. These garments come into contact with blood, respiratory droplets, and other contaminants.

• Improper washing risks bringing germs home to your family.

• Unlike casual clothes, medical scrubs Australia must meet higher hygiene expectations.

• Washing with the right method protects both your healthcare environment and the integrity of your uniform.

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2. Step-by-Step: How to Wash Medical Scrubs at Home

Sort and Pre-Treat

• Separate scrubs from your other laundry—always wash them solo.

• Treat stains like blood or fluids with hydrogen peroxide or gentle stain removers.

• Avoid mixing coloured and white scrub pants to prevent bleeding.

Hot Water Wash

• Wash at 60°C+ if the premium fabrics and sizing chart allow.

• Use detergents labelled "antibacterial" or "oxygen bleach."

• Avoid fabric softeners—they damage moisture wicking and breathable fabrics.

Add a Disinfecting Rinse

• Use white vinegar in the rinse cycle for odour control and disinfection.

• Add an extra rinse if you have sensitive skin or allergies.

Post-Wash Handling

• Use a clean laundry basket just for scrubs.

• Fold neatly or hang immediately to prevent wrinkles or re-contamination.

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3. How to Dry Medical Scrubs Without a Dryer

Whether you're living in a unit or simply avoiding tumble dry to preserve your scrub uniforms, here’s how to air dry scrubs quickly and safely.

Best Fast-Drying Methods

✅ Outdoor Clothesline

Perfect for nursing scrubs, scrub tops, and scrub pants alike. Sunlight provides natural disinfection but:

• Turn garments inside out to avoid fading of vibrant options.

• Space uniform pieces apart to enhance airflow.

✅ Folding Indoor Airers

Ideal for small apartments and rainy days.

• Place near windows, vents or under ceiling fans.

• Adjustable height and rust-proof galvanised powder coated options available.

✅ Retractable Clotheslines

Great for garages, balconies, or narrow spaces.

• Retracts away when not in use.

• Works well for multiple sets of nursing scrubs Australia.

✅ Peg Hangers or Clip Systems

These keep scrub caps, scrub hats, and compression socks from bunching or falling.

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Speed Up Air-Drying

• Use the washing machine’s spin cycle to remove extra moisture.

• Avoid layering—each item should hang separately.

• Add a floor fan or point a pedestal fan towards your drying area.

• Place scrubs on a towel and flip halfway for faster absorption.

What to Avoid

• Dark or damp corners (they encourage mould).

• Tumble dry on high heat—it can damage elastic waistbands, recycled polyester, and antimicrobial coatings.

• Ironing antimicrobial scrubs—you’ll burn off the protective layer.

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4. Recommended Air-Drying Products from Simply Clotheslines

Folding Indoor Airers

✔ Space-saving, cost-effective solution
✔ High quality materials, rust-resistant
✔ Perfect scrubs drying for rainy long shifts

Outdoor Clotheslines (Rotary & Retractable)

✔ Made for larger wash loads
✔ Built tough with UV-protected premium galvanised steel
✔ Rotarys are best suited for those with larger backyards.

Peg Hangers & Clip Systems

✔ Prevent creasing
✔ Great for hanging clothes in the bathroom
✔ Boost drying speed with elevated airflow

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5. Pro Tips to Extend the Life of Your Scrubs

• Wash inside out to preserve stylish designs and colour.

• Don’t iron antimicrobial uniforms—they’ll lose protection.

• Use laundry bags for delicate items or scrub hats.

• Avoid bleach on coloured scrub top sets—it weakens reinforced seams.

• Hang scrubs straight from the washer to feel confident with less creasing.

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FAQs: Washing & Drying Scrubs Without a Dryer

Can I wash scrubs in cold water?
Only if they’re labelled for it. For medical scrubs, hot water is better at killing bacteria.

How often should I wash medical scrubs?
After every shift—no exceptions. Even if they "look clean", they likely carry germs.

Is drying scrubs in the sun enough to disinfect?
It helps, but it’s not enough alone. Use hot water wash and an antibacterial rinse.

How long does it take scrubs to air dry?
4–6 hours outdoors, 8–12 indoors—faster with airflow and moisture wicking fabrics.

Conclusion: Clean Scrubs Without a Dryer—The Right Way

You don’t need a dryer to keep your medical scrubs clean, safe, and ready for your next shift. With the right washing routine, air-drying setup, and fabric care, you can extend the life of your functional uniforms while keeping bacteria at bay.

For the best results, trust in reliable and functional uniforms, paired with high-performing drying products from Simply Clotheslines. Whether you work long shifts in a hospital or clinic, we support healthcare professionals with products that match their standards.

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Free Delivery of Clotheslines

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As Australia’s largest private stockholder of clotheslines and accessories, we ship in-stock items the same or next business day. Unlike other retailers who rely on third-party distributors, our dedicated team handles every order directly, ensuring speed and reliability.

With our extensive range of clotheslines stored in our own clothesline warehouse and national centres, we deliver faster and more consistently.