Can You Wash Scrubs With Regular Clothes?

You get home after a long shift, change out of your scrubs and look at the laundry basket. There is one set of workwear, a few T-shirts, a pair of jeans and not quite enough clothing to justify two full loads.

So, can you wash scrubs with regular clothes?

The short answer is: sometimes.

If your scrubs are personally owned, only normally worn, free from visible contamination and approved for home laundering by your workplace, you can often wash them with compatible everyday clothing. However, scrubs that are visibly soiled with blood or other potentially infectious material, provided by your employer or used as protective equipment should not go into an ordinary household load.

The decision is not only about hygiene. Color, fabric weight, stains, washing temperature and care instructions all matter. Mixing the wrong items may transfer dye or lint, damage stretch fibers and shorten the life of your scrubs.

This guide explains when scrubs can be washed with regular clothes, when they should be separated and how to build a laundry routine that protects both your workwear and the rest of your wardrobe.

The Quick Answer: Can Scrubs Go in a Normal Laundry Load?

Scrubs may be washed with regular clothes when all of the following are true:

• Your employer allows the uniform to be laundered at home.

• The scrubs are personally owned rather than facility-issued.

• They were worn during routine duties and are not visibly contaminated.

• They have no blood, bodily fluid or potentially infectious material on them.

• The other clothes are similar in color.

• Every item can use the same detergent, water temperature and washing cycle.

• The load does not contain delicate, rough or heavily lint-producing garments.

Scrubs should be washed separately—or handled according to workplace instructions—when:

• They are visibly contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious material.

• They are used as personal protective equipment.

• Your facility supplies and launders them.

• Your employer prohibits wearing or transporting them home.

• They require a different washing temperature from the other clothes.

• They have a heavy stain, strong odor or chemical residue.

• The load contains towels, heavy denim, delicate clothing or new garments that may release dye.

When in doubt, follow your facility’s uniform and infection-control policy before following general laundry advice.

The CDC states that methods for handling, transporting and laundering soiled healthcare textiles are determined by organizational policies and applicable regulations. It also notes that employers are responsible for laundering garments used as personal protective equipment and uniforms visibly soiled with blood or infectious material.

Why Washing Scrubs Separately Is Often the Simplest Choice

Even when scrubs are suitable for home laundering, washing them separately is often the easiest option.

A dedicated scrub load allows you to select the correct detergent, cycle and water temperature without having to compromise for other garments. It also keeps rough household items away from performance fabrics and prevents lint from collecting on dark workwear.

Separate washing is especially practical when you own enough scrub sets to create a reasonable load. You can group similar colors and fabrics while keeping your work clothing organized.

However, running a washing machine for one lightly worn scrub set may not always be practical. If your employer allows home laundering and the scrubs are not visibly contaminated, combining them with compatible household clothing may be reasonable.

The key word is compatible.

Scrubs should not simply be added to whatever happens to be in the laundry basket.

When You Can Wash Scrubs With Regular Clothes

When the Scrubs Are Not Visibly Contaminated

Scrubs worn during routine work are different from uniforms visibly soiled with blood, bodily fluids or potentially infectious material.

If a personally owned scrub set has no visible contamination and your employer permits home laundering, it may be washed with appropriate household clothing.

Avoid shaking worn scrubs before placing them in the machine. Shaking can spread hair, dust and debris into the surrounding area.

Move them calmly from the laundry bag or hamper into the washer, and wash your hands after handling worn workwear.

When the Colors Are Compatible

Navy, black and other dark scrubs should be washed with dark, colorfast clothing. White, ceil blue and light gray scrubs should be grouped with similarly light colors.

New scrubs require additional caution. Deeply colored fabrics may release dye during the first few washes, especially navy, black, wine and royal blue.

Wash new dark scrubs separately at first or combine them only with similar dark colors.

Before creating a mixed load, ask:

• Are all the garments similarly colored?

• Have the scrubs already been washed several times?

• Is any garment likely to bleed dye?

• Can every item tolerate the same wash temperature?

• Can every item be washed with the same detergent?

If you are uncertain, separate the load.

When the Fabrics Require Similar Care

Modern scrubs often contain polyester, rayon and spandex. These materials may perform best with moderate agitation, mild detergent and limited heat.

Everyday activewear may require similar care, making it more compatible with scrubs than towels or heavy jeans.

Suitable items for a mixed load may include:

• Colorfast cotton T-shirts

• Lightweight pajamas

• Similar-color activewear

• Plain socks

• Lightweight clothing with compatible care instructions

Avoid mixing scrubs with:

• Heavy jeans

• Rough towels

• Blankets

• Delicate knits

• Garments with exposed zippers

• Clothing with hook-and-loop fasteners

• Lint-producing fleece

• Items that require a different temperature

A mixed load must use a setting that works for every garment. If the most delicate setting would not clean the scrubs properly, the clothes should not be washed together.

When the Washer Is Not Overloaded

Clothing needs room to move through water and detergent.

An overloaded washer may prevent proper cleaning and rinsing. Scrubs can emerge with trapped odors, detergent residue or new pilling caused by excessive friction.

Do not press clothing down to make more fit. Follow the washing machine manufacturer’s loading recommendations.

When Scrubs Should Not Be Washed With Regular Clothes

When They Are Visibly Soiled With Blood or Infectious Material

Do not place visibly contaminated workwear into an ordinary family laundry load.

Follow your employer’s exposure-control and laundering procedures. Depending on the workplace and the garment’s purpose, the uniform may need to be contained, transported and processed by the facility or its contracted laundry service.

Do not carry a visibly contaminated garment through your home without proper containment.

Do not assume that adding extra bleach, using extremely hot water or combining several cleaning products will create a safer result. Incorrect chemical use can damage the fabric, produce hazardous fumes or interfere with effective washing.

When the Scrubs Are Facility-Issued

Some hospitals, surgical centers and laboratories provide scrubs that must remain at the workplace.

These garments may be part of a controlled changing and laundering system. Taking them home may violate workplace policy even when they do not appear dirty.

Always confirm whether facility-issued scrubs are allowed to leave the workplace.

When the Scrubs Function as PPE

Ordinary scrubs are not automatically personal protective equipment. However, some garments may be designated as protective clothing in specific workplaces.

If an item is part of your required protective system, do not treat it like an ordinary T-shirt. Follow the cleaning and handling process established by your employer.

When the Other Clothing Is Delicate

Fabric compatibility matters even when contamination is not a concern.

Heavy scrub pants can rub against delicate knitwear. Exposed zippers may catch lightweight fabric. A strong wash cycle may damage delicate clothing, while a delicate cycle may not clean workwear effectively.

If the household clothing requires special treatment, keep it out of the scrub load.

When the Load Contains Towels or Fleece

Towels and fleece can release large amounts of lint. That lint may cling to dark scrubs and collect around seams, pockets and elastic panels.

Towels are also heavier and rougher than most performance fabrics. Repeated friction can contribute to pilling and surface wear.

Scrubs are better washed with smooth, similarly weighted fabrics.

When You Need to Treat a Specific Stain

A heavily stained scrub set may need individual pre-treatment and a separate wash.

Combining it with regular clothing may expose the other garments to loosened soil or a stain-removal product they cannot tolerate.

Treat the stain according to the garment care label. Do not put the stained scrubs into a dryer until the mark is gone, because heat can make certain stains harder to remove.

A Simple Decision Checklist

Before putting scrubs into a regular laundry load, ask:

1. Does my employer allow home laundering?

2. Are the scrubs personally owned?

3. Are they free from visible blood, bodily fluids and infectious material?

4. Are the other garments only normally soiled?

5. Are all colors compatible?

6. Can every item use the same detergent?

7. Can every item use the same water temperature and cycle?

8. Is the load free from delicate, rough or lint-producing garments?

9. Is there enough room for the clothing to move?

10. Can every garment use the same drying method?

If you cannot confidently answer yes to every relevant question, wash the scrubs separately or follow your workplace’s laundering process.

How to Prepare Scrubs Before Washing

A good wash begins before the machine starts.

Empty Every Pocket

Scrub pockets can collect pens, paper, alcohol pad wrappers, gloves, clips and small tools.

Check every chest, cargo, side, back and hidden pocket. One uncapped pen can stain an entire load, while forgotten paper may break apart and cover dark clothing with lint.

Place reusable work items in a designated tray so they are ready for your next shift.

Close Zippers and Fasteners

Close zippers and secure fasteners that may catch other garments.

If a scrub has hook-and-loop closures, fasten them completely. Exposed hooks can pull threads from stretch fabric and damage other clothes.

Keep drawstrings loosely tied so they do not form a tight knot during washing.

Turn Scrubs Inside Out

Turning scrubs inside out reduces friction on the visible surface. This helps protect dark colors and may reduce pilling.

It also exposes the areas that have the most contact with skin, including the waistband, underarms and inside of the neckline.

Inspect and Treat Stains

Check the garment under good lighting.

Use a stain-removal product that is compatible with the fabric. Follow the product instructions and test it on an inconspicuous area when necessary.

Avoid aggressive scrubbing, which may damage the fibers or create a faded patch.

For blood stains on garments that your employer permits you to launder at home, cold water is generally preferred during initial treatment because heat can set protein-based stains. Workplace procedures should always come first.

Keep Worn Scrubs Contained

Do not leave used scrubs on the floor, bed or upholstered furniture.

Use a designated washable bag or hamper. If you change at work, transport eligible home-laundered scrubs in a closed bag according to workplace policy.

Wash and dry the reusable laundry bag regularly.

What Washer Setting Should You Use for Scrubs?

There is no single correct setting for every scrub fabric.

The right choice starts with the care label. Cotton-rich scrubs, polyester-rayon blends and stretch joggers may have different requirements.

Water Temperature

Use the temperature recommended by the garment manufacturer and required by your workplace.

Cold water is often helpful for protecting dark colors, garment shape and stretch fibers. However, specific uniforms or workplace procedures may require a different process.

Do not assume that the hottest setting is always the safest. Excessive heat can contribute to fading, shrinking and loss of elasticity.

Cycle Selection

A normal or permanent-press cycle may be suitable for many scrub fabrics. Lightweight or stretch-heavy styles may benefit from a gentler cycle when permitted by the care label.

Choose enough agitation to clean the garments without creating unnecessary friction.

If scrubs are significantly soiled but still eligible for home laundering, wash them separately instead of using an aggressive cycle that could damage household clothing.

Detergent

Use an effective detergent in the amount recommended for the machine, water hardness and load size.

More detergent does not necessarily mean cleaner scrubs. Excess product may remain in the fabric, trap odors or irritate sensitive skin.

High-efficiency washing machines require high-efficiency detergent and usually need less product than traditional machines.

A fragrance-free detergent may be useful for sensitive skin or workplaces where strong fragrances are discouraged.

Fabric Softener

Check the scrub care label before using fabric softener.

Some softeners coat the fibers and may reduce moisture-wicking performance. If your scrubs are designed to move moisture away from the skin or dry quickly, skipping conventional fabric softener may help preserve those functions.

Bleach and Laundry Sanitizers

Do not automatically add bleach to every scrub load.

Chlorine bleach may fade colors, weaken fibers and damage spandex. Oxygen-based products may be suitable for certain fabrics, but they must still be permitted by the garment care label.

If your workplace requires a sanitizing or disinfecting process, follow its written instructions and use products labeled for that purpose.

Never mix cleaning chemicals unless their labels specifically state that it is safe.

Can You Wash Scrubs With Underwear, Socks or Bedding?

Compatible fabrics and colors may sometimes share a load when the scrubs are eligible for ordinary home laundering.

However, many healthcare workers prefer to keep workwear separate from underwear, bedding and children’s clothing for organization and peace of mind.

The practical answer depends on:

• Workplace policy

• Visible contamination

• Household circumstances

• Fabric compatibility

• Required wash settings

• Personal preference

Bedding and towels are generally poor companions for scrubs because they are bulky, lint-producing and may need different washing or drying settings.

A few lightweight socks and basic garments may be more compatible, but a dedicated scrub load remains the simplest choice when enough workwear is available.

How to Dry Scrubs Without Damaging Them

Drying has a major effect on the lifespan of your scrubs.

Follow the Care Label

Some scrubs tolerate tumble drying, while others maintain their fit and stretch better with low heat or air drying.

Stretch fibers can be damaged by repeated exposure to excessive heat. Waistbands, jogger cuffs and flexible panels are especially vulnerable.

Use Low or Moderate Heat When Appropriate

If machine drying is permitted, use the recommended setting and remove the garments promptly.

Do not leave already-dry scrubs tumbling for an extended period. Additional heat and friction do not make clean clothing cleaner.

Air Dry When Practical

Air drying reduces heat exposure and may help preserve color, shape and stretch.

Hang scrub tops on clean hangers and leave space between garments. Scrub pants can be hung from the waistband or laid flat when recommended.

Allow everything to dry completely before folding or storing it. Damp clothing placed in a drawer can develop musty odors.

Do Not Dry a Remaining Stain

Check treated stains before using the dryer.

If a mark is still visible, repeat an appropriate treatment. Dryer heat may set the remaining stain and make it harder to remove.

How to Store Clean Scrubs

Keep clean workwear away from worn garments.

Store your scrubs in a clean, dry drawer, shelf or garment bag. A dedicated storage space helps keep sets organized and reduces contact with used clothing.

Do not place clean scrubs into the same bag used to transport worn uniforms unless the bag has been washed and completely dried.

Make sure the scrubs are fully dry before storage. Trapped moisture may lead to stale or musty odors.

Common Scrub Laundry Mistakes

Mixing Scrubs With Heavy Jeans

Denim adds weight and friction and may transfer dye, particularly when new.

Washing New Dark Scrubs With Light Clothes

Navy, black, wine and royal blue fabrics may release excess dye during the first few washes.

Overloading the Machine

Crowded garments cannot move, wash or rinse properly.

Using Too Much Detergent

Excess detergent may leave residue rather than creating a cleaner result.

Using Fabric Softener on Performance Scrubs

A softener coating may interfere with moisture-wicking properties.

Drying Everything on High Heat

High heat may affect color, fit, elastic waistbands and stretch fibers.

Leaving Used Scrubs in a Closed Bag

Sweaty or damp scrubs may develop stronger odors when left sealed for too long. Follow workplace handling requirements and wash eligible garments promptly.

Ignoring the Care Label

A method that works for one scrub fabric may damage another.

Ignoring Workplace Policy

General laundry advice never overrides an employer’s uniform and infection-control rules.