The cleanliness of the white coat is an integral part of maintaining the image and professionalism of a medical professional.
Proper washing will keep things clean and protect the material from rapid wear. In the process of caring for such clothes, you will have to face the need to remove stains and bleach.
Read the article on how to wash a white medical gown at home in a washing machine and by hand.
In the washing machine
Machine washing of medical clothing significantly saves time and makes work easier. This is especially important because a medic’s work uniform must be washed regularly.
With what?
Before washing, all items must be sorted . Studying the product label will help you determine the washing conditions.
A white robe can be sent in one load only with similar clothing - T-shirts, T-shirts and other things that are used at work along with the robe.
At what temperature, in what mode?
The optimal washing temperature for most bathrobes is from +40°C to +60°C.
If the fabric is synthetic, then the maximum temperature on the label may be indicated by the manufacturer even lower.
For bathrobes that only need to be refreshed, the “delicate wash” is selected , for well-worn cotton ones – “cotton”.
Selecting a detergent
For regular washing of a white medical gown, it is recommended to choose washing powders and gels designed specifically for clothes of this color. If the robe has a different shade, use universal detergents designed for colored items.
In any case, regardless of the fabric, it is advisable to avoid compositions with chlorine . This substance is quite aggressive towards the fibers of the material and can lead to rapid wear of the fabric.
For medical work clothes, it is better to choose detergents with antibacterial properties.
To soak or not?
A greater effect from washing stained items is achieved by pre-soaking the product. To do this, use cool water in which the detergent is diluted.
The robe is dipped in the washing solution for 1-2 hours, after which it is washed. You can use the “soak” mode if the washing machine has one .
Using hot water for the soaking process is not recommended if there are stains, as the high temperature can set them even stronger.
Rinse and spin
After washing, the robe must be rinsed thoroughly. To do this, it is recommended to set an additional rinse .
Spinning at high speeds allows you to get an almost dry item out of the machine. But this harms the fabric. If you finish washing every time with an intensive spin, the robe will quickly become unusable.
Average indicators are enough so that the product is not too wet, but also does not suffer from processing at high speeds.
Drying
It is preferable to dry gowns and other medical clothing in the fresh air, hanging them on a rope in a carefully straightened state. You can use hangers for hanging.
It’s good if a warm breeze blows on the items while drying - they will dry faster. As a rule, models made from fabrics with the addition of synthetics dry in a shorter time than those made from cotton fabrics. The drying time of products that have been spun in an automatic machine is also reduced.
The drying process must be monitored to ensure that the clothing does not dry out. Otherwise, it will be more difficult to iron, even when using steam in the iron.
Handwash
Washing a robe by hand is not difficult. It’s better to start by pre-soaking it in an aqueous solution of detergent . You can use both powder and gel. The main requirement is to thoroughly dilute the drug in water.
For a white coat, it is recommended to select products that are intended specifically for white things. In cases where the medical gown has a tint, universal powders are used.
Before soaking, it is better to soap the soiled areas. If there are stains, they should be removed before washing.
Washing procedure:
Pour warm water into a basin.- Dilute the detergent in water according to the instructions.
- Dip the robe into water and rub lightly.
- Leave for 30-60 minutes.
- Tinder again.
- If the water is dirty after soaking, it is drained and a new solution is prepared.
- The robe is washed, paying attention to the collar, cuffs, and pockets.
- Rinse.
- They squeeze it out.
- Dry.
After washing, the item must be wrung out, not twisted. This will avoid deformation.
Ironing medical clothes
Always monitor the iron temperature when ironing medical clothing. Depending on the fabric, the temperature may vary but, as a rule, it should not exceed 150°C. Often in medical institutions logos are applied to clothing. Be extremely careful with these areas when ironing. It is best to iron them from the wrong side. Try to iron silk robes and suits with extreme caution. Before you start ironing, it is best to gently touch the inner seams of the clothing with the tip of the iron. If it does not catch it and goes smoothly, then you can start ironing.
Difficult spots
When washing and treating stains, it must be taken into account that work clothes contaminated with biohazardous substances should not be processed at home .
Such medical clothing requires professional treatment and disinfection. In some cases, gowns and medical suits are even disposed of after wear.
Blood
An effective washing and disinfectant "Glav Wash" allows you not only to wash blood, but also to neutralize viruses and bacteria, pathogens of acute respiratory viral infections, influenza and other diseases.
Washing in cold water will help quickly remove traces of blood . Hydrogen peroxide, which can be applied directly to the stain undiluted, is also effective.
Do not use warm or hot water for washing, as the stains will be absorbed even more and become persistent.
Ballpoint pen
To remove traces of ballpoint pen paste, you can use laundry soap . The affected area is soaped and rubbed. Most stain removers also cope with the problem if you use them right away, before the pen mark becomes old.
Another way is to use alcohol. Both ammonia and medical ammonia are suitable for these purposes. To remove the pen, the sponge is moistened with alcohol and applied to the stained area.
For better effect, the process is repeated several times. Complete stain removal with regular washing.
Ointment stains
Grease stains from greasy ointments are washed off with hot water and stain removers . Dishwashing detergent can be used as a quick response solution.
It is applied undiluted to the stain, rubbed, and left for a quarter of an hour. After this, the composition is washed off and the item is washed.
Zelenka
Green stains from white fabric of a robe can be washed using hydrogen peroxide.
Work order:
- the product is applied generously using cotton wool or a sponge;
- the stain disappears;
- the item is put aside for 10 minutes to allow the reaction to occur;
- the robe is washed.
If the robe is not white, but colored, you can remove the stain by first diluting peroxide in water. The soiled area is lightly wiped, after which the product is washed.
You should not keep peroxide, even diluted in water, on fabric with a tint for a long time - the treated area may become discolored.
Iodine
There are several ways to remove iodine stains. One of them is based on soda and vinegar.
Stain removal procedure:
- Sprinkle baking soda on the stain.
- Pour a little vinegar on top.
- After the reaction of these two ingredients is over, the item is washed in the usual way.
Another method is to treat the stain with alcohol. For best results, it is advisable to hold a cotton swab soaked in alcohol on the fabric of the robe for a couple of minutes. After this, the item can be washed.
How to whiten at home?
A white medical coat is the work clothes of doctors, which is used daily. In order for the item to retain its whiteness and look impeccable, it is necessary to use bleaching. Household chemicals and traditional medicine recipes proven over the years will help restore the shade.
Folk recipes
It is possible to bleach a bathrobe efficiently at home using readily available preparations.
Peroxide and ammonia
This method is one of the simplest. The whitening mixture contains only 3 ingredients:
- ammonia;
- water;
- hydrogen peroxide.
Work order:
- Pour 10 liters of water into a basin.
- Pour 5 tsp into water. peroxide.
- Add 5 tbsp. l. ammonia.
- Stir.
- Dip the item to be bleached into the solution.
- Leave for 1.5-2 hours.
- Rinse.
If the robe is very dirty, then it is recommended to add another 1 tbsp to the bleaching solution. l. turpentine.
Ammonia, peroxide, salt and powder
Medical white clothing, which is made from cotton and blended fabrics, can be bleached according to a recipe with a larger number of ingredients than in the previous method.
For processing you should prepare:
- water;
- hydrogen peroxide;
- salt;
- washing powder;
- ammonia.
Whitening procedure:
Pour 10 liters of warm water (+40ºС) into a basin.- Pour in 4 tbsp. l. peroxide.
- Add Art. l. ammonia.
- Add 5-6 tbsp. l. salt.
- Add about 50 grams of washing powder.
- Mix everything.
- Leave the robe on for half an hour.
- Rinse under running water or change the water in the basin several times.
If the robe is heavily soiled, it is recommended to wash it in the usual way after soaking it in a bleaching solution.
Lemon juice
The most affordable whitening agent is fresh lemon. To prepare the whitening composition you will need:
- warm water (8-10 liters);
- lemons (2 pcs.).
Whitening:
- Pour water into the basin.
- Squeeze the juice of the lemons.
- Mix.
- Dip the robe.
- Leave the item in the basin for 8-10 hours.
- Rinse.
Bleaching with lemon will only work on items that are not too dirty and have fresh stains. Lemon juice will not cope with old stains and general wear and tear.
Household chemicals
Household chemicals departments offer a large selection of whitening products. These include both the simplest (for example, Whiteness) and modern preparations that are safe for fabric and very effective.
White
Washing procedure:
- Pour 10 liters into a basin. water.
- Dilute 2 tbsp. l. Whiteness.
- Soak the robe.
- Leave for half an hour.
- Rinse.
- Wash.
The disadvantage of using bleach is the chlorine that is included in its composition. This product should not be used on a regular basis, as the fabric quickly deteriorates under such exposure.
Washing in a White solution is only possible for cotton white coats and only as a last resort.
Oxygen-containing bleaches
Among bleaches, oxygen-containing agents are leaders in their effectiveness and safety towards fabrics. Such preparations must be used as needed to maintain the snow-white color of the item.
Popular whitening products include:
- "Vanish";
- "Dr. Beckman";
- "Synergetic";
- "Sail" and others.
Simple instructions on how to wash white and colored medical gowns
The cleanliness of the white coat is an integral part of maintaining the image and professionalism of a medical professional.
Proper washing will keep things clean and protect the material from rapid wear. In the process of caring for such clothes, you will have to face the need to remove stains and bleach.
Read the article on how to wash a white medical gown at home in a washing machine and by hand.
How to dry?
You can dry your robe indoors or outdoors. In the latter case, with low air humidity, the item will dry much faster. Natural sunlight in moderate quantities will even benefit the product.
It is undesirable to allow it to dry out , as the robe may become deformed and the wear resistance of the material will decrease. In addition, a dry robe will be more difficult to iron.
It is best to dry the robe with it turned inside out - this will prevent accidental contamination of the material and fading.
Do I need to iron?
A white medical gown must be ironed . The heating temperature of the iron sole depends on the material. As a rule - about 150ºС.
Ironing will not only give the product a neat, neat look, but will also disinfect the item.
Attention should be paid to areas with logos. It is recommended to iron them from the wrong side or through a special fabric.
To prevent the ironed robe from becoming wrinkled, you need to fold it correctly; this video instruction will help you with this:
Useful tips
In order to extend the service life of a medical gown and maintain its presentable appearance for a long time, several recommendations should be taken into account:
- Cotton items cannot be washed together with synthetics.
- When washing cotton, the ideal temperature is 60 degrees. In this case, add a little salt to the water.
- When using laundry detergents, it is recommended to first test them on a small piece of fabric.
This way you can extend the life of the medical gown and eliminate the need for frequent use of bleaching agents.
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