Blood stains are an unfortunate part of working in healthcare. A small drop during patient care can quickly turn into a noticeable mark on your scrub top or pants. Knowing how to treat blood stains properly can help keep your scrubs looking clean and extend their useful life.
The most important factor is timing. Fresh blood is generally easier to treat than dried blood, but even set-in stains may improve with the right approach.
However, blood-stained scrubs require more than ordinary stain treatment in a healthcare setting. If your scrubs are contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious material, always follow your facility's laundry and infection-control procedures before attempting to clean them yourself.
Here is what you need to know about removing blood stains from scrubs safely and effectively.
What You Need to Remove Blood Stains
Before treating a blood stain, gather the appropriate supplies based on your scrub fabric and care label:
- Cold water
- Liquid laundry detergent
- A clean cloth or soft brush
- Fabric-safe stain remover
- Oxygen-based stain remover, if suitable for the fabric
- Gloves when handling blood-contaminated clothing
Always check the care label before using a stain remover, bleach, or other cleaning product. Some scrub fabrics and colors may be damaged by harsh chemicals.
How to Remove Fresh Blood Stains from Scrubs
Fresh blood stains are generally easier to treat because they have had less time to set into the fabric.
1. Follow Your Workplace's Laundry Procedure
If your scrubs become contaminated with blood during a healthcare procedure, do not automatically treat them like ordinary household laundry.
Healthcare facilities may have specific procedures for collecting, containing, transporting, and laundering contaminated garments. Follow your employer's instructions and use appropriate protective equipment when required.
The OSHA bloodborne pathogens standard also covers the safe handling of contaminated laundry.
2. Use Cold Water
When the garment is appropriate for washing and your facility's procedures allow you to treat the stain, use cold water as the first step.
Avoid starting with hot water. Blood is a protein-based stain, and heat can make some protein stains more difficult to remove.
If possible, rinse from the back of the fabric to help push the stain away from the fibers instead of further into them.
3. Apply Liquid Laundry Detergent
Apply a small amount of liquid laundry detergent directly to the affected area.
Gently work the detergent into the fabric using your fingers, a clean cloth, or a soft brush. Avoid aggressive scrubbing because it can damage the fibers or spread the stain.
Allow the detergent to sit for several minutes according to the product's instructions.
4. Wash According to the Care Label
Wash your scrubs using the cycle and water temperature recommended by the manufacturer.
After the wash cycle, inspect the stained area before putting the garment in the dryer. If the stain remains visible, repeat the treatment rather than immediately applying heat.
How to Remove Dried Blood from Scrubs
Dried blood can be more difficult to remove because the stain has had more time to set into the fabric. The key is to treat it gradually instead of aggressively scrubbing the garment.
1. Remove Loose Residue
If dried blood has formed a crust on the surface, gently loosen and remove any residue that comes away easily.
Do not scrape aggressively. Excessive friction can damage the fabric, particularly on lightweight or stretch scrubs.
2. Pre-Treat the Stain
Apply liquid laundry detergent or a fabric-safe stain remover to the affected area.
For colored scrubs, choose a product specifically designed for colored fabrics. An oxygen-based stain remover may also be suitable for some washable fabrics, but always check the care instructions first.
Allow the product to work for the amount of time recommended on its label.
3. Wash and Inspect
Wash the scrubs according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Once the cycle is complete, check the stain before drying. If you can still see it, repeat the pre-treatment and washing process.
Avoid drying a garment while a visible stain remains because heat can make some stains more difficult to remove.
Can You Use Bleach on Blood-Stained Scrubs?
Bleach can be appropriate for some garments, but it is not the right choice for every pair of scrubs.
Chlorine bleach can discolor colored fabrics and may weaken certain fibers. Always check the care label and the bleach manufacturer's instructions before using it.
For colored scrubs, a color-safe oxygen-based stain remover may be a better option when permitted by the garment's care instructions.
Never mix bleach with other cleaning products. Combining bleach with certain cleaners can produce dangerous fumes.
What Not to Do When Removing Blood Stains
Some common stain-removal habits can damage your scrubs or make the stain more difficult to manage.
- Don't Start With Hot Water:Cold water is generally the better first choice for blood stains. Avoid starting with high heat unless the garment's care instructions specifically call for it.
- Don't Scrub Aggressively:Hard scrubbing can spread the stain and damage the fabric. Gentle treatment is usually a better approach.
- Don't Put Stained Scrubs Straight Into the Dryer:Check the stain after washing. If it is still visible, treat it again before drying.
- Don't Mix Cleaning Products:never mix bleach with other cleaning products or disinfectants. Dangerous chemical reactions and fumes can occur.
- Don't Ignore Your Facility's Procedures: this is especially important for healthcare workers. Blood-contaminated scrubs may need to be handled through your workplace's designated laundry process rather than treated immediately at home.
How to Prevent Blood Stains from Setting
You cannot always prevent blood from getting on your scrubs, especially during a busy healthcare shift. However, a few habits can make stain management easier.
Choose Easy-Care Scrub Fabrics
Durable, washable fabrics can make everyday maintenance easier, especially for healthcare professionals who wear scrubs several days a week. A flexible VantaFlex set is one practical option for frequent wear.
Follow the Care Label
Use the recommended washing temperature, cycle, and drying method. Following the manufacturer's instructions can help preserve the fabric and color through repeated washing.
Keep a Spare Set of Scrubs
Having an extra set of jogger scrubs available can be useful if your uniform becomes heavily soiled during a shift.
Treat Stains Promptly When Appropriate
Once you can safely and appropriately handle the garment, addressing a stain sooner is generally easier than dealing with an old, set-in stain.
When Should You Replace Blood-Stained Scrubs?
A blood stain does not automatically mean that your scrubs need to be thrown away.
If the garment can be properly cleaned and remains in good condition, it may continue to be suitable for use.
However, consider replacing your scrubs if they have:
- Permanent discoloration that cannot be removed
- Damaged or weakened fabric
- Tears or holes
- Broken closures or other functional damage
- Damage that prevents them from meeting your workplace's uniform requirements
- Contamination that cannot be safely managed through your approved laundry process
If only the top needs replacing, a new scrub top may be all you need.
For healthcare professionals, the goal is not simply to make a stain disappear. The garment also needs to be safely handled, properly cleaned, and suitable for continued use.
How to Wash Blood-Stained Scrubs Safely
Blood-stain removal should always come after safe handling.
If your scrubs are contaminated with blood or potentially infectious material, minimize unnecessary handling and follow your facility's procedures for collection, transportation, and laundering. The CDC's laundry guidance is a useful reference alongside your workplace requirements.
Healthcare laundry procedures are designed to reduce the risk of exposure while ensuring that contaminated garments are appropriately cleaned.
Once the garment is ready for laundering, use the detergent, wash cycle, water temperature, and drying method appropriate for the fabric and your workplace's requirements.
For healthcare professionals who are allowed to launder their uniforms at home, following the manufacturer's care instructions and your facility's policies is essential.
Conclusion
Knowing how to remove blood stains from scrubs can help healthcare professionals maintain their uniforms and get more wear out of their workwear.
For fresh stains, cold water, appropriate detergent, and prompt treatment can help prevent the stain from setting. For dried blood, gentle pre-treatment and repeated washing may be necessary. Always check the care label before using bleach or other stain-removal products.
Most importantly, blood-contaminated scrubs should not be treated as ordinary laundry in a healthcare environment. Follow your facility's infection-control and laundry procedures, minimize unnecessary handling, and use appropriate protective equipment when required.
With proper care and the right washing approach, a blood-stained scrub uniform does not necessarily have to become a ruined one.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best way to remove fresh blood from scrubs?
For washable scrubs, treat fresh blood as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so. Cold water and liquid laundry detergent are a good starting point, followed by washing according to the garment's care instructions. Healthcare workers should always follow their facility's contaminated-laundry procedures.
2. Can you remove dried blood from scrubs?
Yes. Dried blood can be more difficult to remove, but pre-treating the stain with a fabric-safe laundry product and washing the garment according to its care instructions may help. You may need to repeat the process.
3. Can you use bleach to remove blood stains from colored scrubs?
It depends on the fabric and care instructions. Chlorine bleach can discolor colored scrubs and damage some fabrics. Always check the garment label before using bleach, and consider a color-safe stain remover when appropriate.