How to Extend the Life of Your Scrubs Sustainably
For healthcare professionals who wear their uniforms day in, day out, learning how to care for sustainable scrubs properly can reduce waste, save money over time, and lower the environmental footprint of workwear. Choosing high-quality options from the Dr. Woof scrubs collection is a good start, but extending their life comes down to everyday habits that are often overlooked.
In this article, we discuss how sustainability in healthcare apparel is all about making small, repeatable choices that add up. We show you how to care for sustainable scrubs in an industry where clothing is subjected to heavy wear, frequent washing, and long shifts in demanding medical settings.
Why Sustainable Scrub Care Matters in Healthcare
The healthcare industry relies on scrubs that can handle constant movement, bodily fluids, repeated washing, and long hours. Traditional scrubs, often made with lower-quality polyester blends, tend to wear out quickly.
When scrubs lose their shape, fade, or tear, they usually end up in landfills, contributing to textile waste and unnecessary environmental impact.
Eco-soft scrubs are designed to break that cycle.
They often use recycled materials, organic cotton, bamboo, or other eco-friendly fabrics that are more durable while reducing water usage and carbon footprint during production. But even the best medical scrubs won't last if they're not cared for properly.
Extending the life of your scrubs is one of the most practical forms of environmental responsibility medical professionals can adopt.
Washing Sustainable Scrubs Without Wearing Them Out
In healthcare, frequent laundering is unavoidable, but how scrubs are washed has far more impact on durability and sustainability than people realise. Planet-friendly collections and recycled polyester scrubs are designed to perform under pressure, but they still need the right conditions to hold their shape and strength.
Cold water is the unsung hero of sustainable care
Washing scrubs in cold water is one of the simplest ways to reduce both fabric damage and water usage. Cold cycles use less energy, have a lower carbon footprint, and are far less aggressive on natural fibres.
Cold washes also help retain colour, which matters for both solid staples like navy and grey scrub pants and printed scrub tops like the Aussie Natives collection.
Choosing the right detergent (and what to avoid)
The detergent you use matters just as much as the water temperature:
- Mild, eco-friendly detergents clean without breaking down natural fibres or leaving heavy residues behind.
- Harsh detergents may promise brightness, but over time, they strip fabric of its resilience.
Fabric softeners are especially damaging. While they can make scrubs feel softer initially, they coat fibres and reduce breathability and moisture-wicking properties, causing even the most comfortable scrubs to feel heavier (and have a shorter usable life).
Turn scrubs inside out (it actually works)
Turning scrubs inside out before washing reduces friction on the outer surface of the garment. This simple habit protects seams, printed details, and colour saturation, particularly for scrub tops and jogger-style scrub pants that experience more stretching and movement.
Managing stains without damaging fabric
Stains from bodily fluids are part of the demanding nature of medical settings, but aggressive stain removal often does more harm than good. Scrubbing harshly or washing stained scrubs repeatedly in hot water weakens fibres and causes high-wear areas like knees, hips, and underarms.
A more sustainable approach is pre-treating stains quickly with cold water and mild soap, then washing once.
Washing frequently matters more than you think
Washing scrubs after every wear is common, but over-washing causes fabric breakdown. When possible, rotating between multiple scrub sets allows each garment to rest between wears, reducing cumulative stress from repeated laundering.
Drying Medical Scrubs the Eco-Friendly Way
If washing is where scrubs begin to age, drying is where most damage actually happens. High heat breaks down fibres, reduces stretch, and slowly weakens seams. Over time, even durable medical scrubs start to lose their shape, which is often mistaken for “wear and tear” when it’s really heat damage.
Air drying: The lowest-impact option
Air drying is the most environmentally friendly and fabric-safe way to dry medical scrubs. It reduces energy use, lowers water-related emissions, and helps garments keep their original fit.
From a practical standpoint, air drying also:
- Reduces fibre shrinkage
- Preserves elasticity in waistbands and jogger cuffs
- Limits fabric thinning over time
Scrubs that are air-dried tend to stay lighter, softer, and more comfortable during long shifts.
When a dryer is necessary, less is more
When tumble drying is unavoidable, using low heat is the key compromise. High temperatures significantly shorten garment life, while lower settings reduce stress on fibres without sacrificing hygiene.
Wrinkle-resistant scrubs, often found in eco soft collections, are designed to smooth out naturally as they dry, meaning there's less reliance on heat to make scrubs look presentable.
Don't over-dry your scrubs
Medial scrubs left in the dryer too long become stiff and brittle, which accelerates wear at stress points like seams, pockets, and knees.
Removing sustainable scrubs while they’re just dry and letting them finish cooling naturally helps maintain flexibility. It also prevents that “overcooked fabric” feeling that makes scrubs less breathable and less comfortable in warm medical environments.
How Sustainable Practices Like Storage and Rotation Extend the Life of Your Scrubs
Sustainable scrub care doesn't stop once garments are clean and dry. How medical scrubs are stored and rotated plays a quiet but powerful role in how long they last.
Rotating scrubs reduces fabric fatigue
Wearing the same sustainable scrub set repeatedly, even if it's well cared for, accelerates fibre breakdown. Fabric needs recovery time just like the body does after long shifts. Rotating between multiple scrub sets spreads stress across garments and reduces stains at high-movement points like hips, knees, elbows, and seams.
Store scrubs to protect their shape
Medical scrubs folded tightly or shoved into bags stay under constant tension, which weakens fabric structure over time. Hanging sustainable scrub tops and pants allows fibres to relax, especially for styles designed with stretch and softness in mind.
Scrub Care Is Planet Care Too
Choosing eco-friendly scrubs made with durability and longevity in mind, caring for them thoughtfully, and wearing them longer before replacing them all contribute to a smaller environmental footprint.
Dr. Woof's approach to workwear reflects this mindset, focusing on quality materials and garments that are meant to be lived in.
FAQs
What are eco-friendly scrubs?
Eco-friendly scrubs are healthcare uniforms made from eco-friendly fabrics such as recycled materials, organic cotton, bamboo or other natural fibres that reduce environmental impact.
Why should medical professionals choose sustainable scrubs?
Healthcare workers choose sustainable scrubs to reduce textile waste, support eco-consciousness, and lower their environmental footprint in a demanding workplace.
How do eco-friendly fabrics help the planet?
Fabrics like recycled polyester and organic cotton use fewer resources, lessen chemical use, and reduce landfill waste, contributing to a healthier planet.
Can I recycle old scrubs instead of throwing them away?
Yes, many recycling programs accept old scrubs for repurposing or recycling, which diverts them from landfill and supports a circular production process.
Are scrub tops made from recycled materials as durable as traditional scrubs?
Of course! Sustainable production methods now make it possible for eco-friendly scrubs to be just as durable as conventional options, while being much softer and more breathable.
Do eco-friendly scrubs cost more?
Eco-friendly scrubs may have a higher upfront cost due to sustainable production processes, but their long-lasting quality often saves money over time and reduces unnecessary replacement.
