White lab coats are an iconic symbol of science, medicine, and healthcare. As essential protective gear for doctors, scientists, lab technicians, and other professionals, white lab coats must be kept clean and sanitary. Properly washing and caring for white lab coats is crucial for health, safety, and maintaining a professional appearance. This comprehensive guide provides best practices, tips, and recommendations for effectively washing, drying, and storing white lab coats.
Why It’s Important to Wash Lab Coats Regularly
Washing white lab coats on a consistent basis is vital for many reasons:
Infection Control
White lab coats worn by healthcare workers and laboratory personnel easily pick up microbes and infectious bodily fluids. Washing regularly helps control the spread of dangerous bacteria like MRSA and viruses. This protects patients, coworkers, and anyone who comes in contact with the coat.
Professional Appearance
A fresh, crisp white lab coat conveys professionalism and competence. Stains, odors, and visible dirt diminish authority and trust. Proper cleaning preserves the coat’s pristine look.
Safety Precautions
Some lab coat contaminants pose immediate safety risks if exposure occurs. Caustic chemicals or radioactive materials on a soiled coat can cause harm. Frequent washing removes hazardous substances.
Comfort
Like any garment, lab coats become soiled through regular wear. For comfort and hygiene, most professionals want to don a clean coat each workday.
Recommended Washing Frequency
To reap all the benefits of good laundering, white lab coats should be washed at least once per week. Those working in hazardous environments or handling infectious agents may need to clean coats more often. Consider these factors to determine individual wash frequency:
- Exposure to biohazards – Lab coats worn when performing experiments or interacting with viruses, bacteria, bodily fluids, etc. should be cleaned very regularly, sometimes after just one use.
- Exposure to chemicals – Coats worn during testing or lab work involving chemicals should be washed frequently to limit prolonged contact against skin/clothing.
- Patient interaction – In healthcare settings, coats worn during patient exams or procedures should be laundered often to prevent infectious disease transmission.
- Visible soiling – Heavy staining, soil, or odor are clear indicators a coat needs washing.
- Frequency of wear – The more often a coat is worn, the more quickly it will require cleaning.
With frequent washing, professionals can feel confident their lab coat is sanitary and safe to wear in any work environment.
Pre-Treating Tough Stains
White lab coats are prone to challenging stains, including:
- Ballpoint pen ink
- Permanent marker
- Blood or bodily fluids
- Chemical spills
- Betadine/iodine
- Ink or toner
Tough stains should be pre-treated prior to washing to improve removal. Here are effective pre-treatment methods:
- Liquid laundry detergent – For many stains, scrubbing gently with concentrated laundry detergent before washing helps lift discoloration.
- Spot remover sprays/sticks – Stain treatment sprays or sticks can be applied to stubborn spots according to product instructions.
- Hydrogen peroxide – Diluted hydrogen peroxide often oxidizes and fades certain dried-in stains.
- Sodium carbonate – Also known as washing soda, sodium carbonate helps lift organic stains like blood or grass when dissolved in water and applied directly.
- Dish soap – For oil-based stains, rubbing a small amount of dish soap into the spot can help washout grime before laundering in a machine.
With tough dried- or set-in stains, repeatedly pre-treating the same area may be required to fully lift discoloration. When in doubt, consult with a professional dry cleaner.
Choosing the Right Detergent
Picking an effective laundry detergent is key for producing bright whites and sanitary results when machine washing lab coats. Consider these detergent characteristics:
- Bleaching agents – Lab coat detergents should contain ingredients like sodium percarbonate or sodium perborate to help whiten and remove stains.
- Enzymes – Enzymatic cleaners break down organic matter like food, grass, blood, or bodily fluids that often soil coats.
- Antimicrobials – Some lab coat detergents contain antimicrobial agents to kill dangerous pathogens during washing.
- Fragrance-free – Many professionals prefer unscented lab coat detergents to avoid irritating allergies or sensitivities.
- High efficiency formula – HE detergents work well for front-loading washing machines typical in commercial laundry rooms.
Always follow the detergent’s recommended dosing for optimal cleaning results. With repeated washings, white lab coats may gradually take on a dingy appearance. In these cases, laundry whitening agents or bleach alternatives can help revitalize the bright white color.
Washing Machine Settings
Careful attention to washing machine settings helps ensure lab coats are safely and effectively cleaned. The following practices are recommended:
- Hot water – For sanitization, wash white lab coats with a hot water temperature setting between 120-140°F.
- Normal or heavy soil setting – Given the likely grime accumulation, heavier soil settings provide sufficient agitation.
- Extra rinse cycle – The extra rinse helps remove all detergent residues that could irritate skin.
- Low speed spin – This setting limits wrinkling and prevents stress on coat seams.
For home washing, a standard cycle with these adjustments is ideal. For institutional laundering, specialized heavy duty cycles are sometimes used to wash and disinfect heavily soiled medical scrubs and coats. Always follow any washing guidelines provided by the lab coat manufacturer.
Drying Considerations
Proper machine or line drying is important to avoid damaging white lab coats and to eliminate any lingering moisture where microbes could flourish. Here are drying tips:
- Shake and hang up coated as soon as the washing cycle finishes to prevent mildew odors from setting in.
- Line drying is gentler on lab coat fabrics to limit shrinkage. Hang indoors or in shaded areas to prevent sun fading.
- If machine drying, use medium or low heat settings to avoid extreme heat damage. Remove from dryer immediately after cycle finishes.
- To accelerate drying time for a damp coat needing a quick refresh, use the air fluff setting with no added heat. Monitor closely to avoid over-drying the fabric.
- Press coat with a warm iron while still slightly damp to ease wrinkles and refresh the crisp look. Be sure to only iron inner liner or back panel surfaces to avoid damaging embroidered names, patches, etc.
Following laundering best practices, professionals can feel confident their lab coats are clean sanitary, and neat for the work day ahead.
Storing White Lab Coats Properly
Between wearings, lab coats should be stored in a way that maintains cleanliness and tidiness:
- Hang up – Hanging coats on hooks protects the fabric and shape compared to folding.
- Good air circulation – Allow space between hanging coats so air can circulate to prevent dampness.
- Covered – In institutional or shared coat storage areas, use plastic sheeting to cover garments and shield from dust or other environmental exposure.
- Avoid floors or furniture – Do not stack coats on floors or drape over furniture or counters tops where they can pick up dirt and wrinkles.
- Control contamination – In healthcare settings, take care not to store coats with soiled scrubs or linens which could transmit infectious agents.
Proper closed cabinet or cloakroom storage is ideal for maintaining white lab coats in a neat, clean, and sanitary condition between shifts.
FAQs About Washing White Lab Coats
Washing lab coats effectively requires attention to some key details. Here are answers to frequently asked questions:
How should I get blood stains out of a white lab coat?
For the best chance of removal, rinse the coat in cold water and rub concentrated laundry detergent directly into the stain. Allow it to soak for 15-20 minutes before washing. Hydrogen peroxide or enzymatic pre-treaters also help lift blood stains. Repeat applications may be needed for stubborn set-in stains.
What temperature water should be used to wash white lab coats?
To properly disinfect and sanitize lab coats, the warm or hot water setting on home or commercial washing machines is ideal. Aim for a temperature between 120-140°F if possible. Warm or hot water provides the best cleaning results.
Can I wash a white lab coat with bleach?
While bleach can disinfect, the harsh chemicals may degrade coat fabrics over time. Instead, opt for an oxygenated bleach substitute or detergent with a bleaching agent specially formulated for lab coat fabrics. This allows you to whiten without as much risk of damage.
How can I get ketchup stains out of my lab coat?
The natural enzymes in ketchup and other tomato-based products make them likely to stain. Try pre-treating the spot with liquid dish soap. Let it soak in for 10-15 minutes before washing with laundry detergent on a hot setting. For stubborn stains, hydrogen peroxide or a commercial stain remover stick can be applied.
How do you clean a wool lab coat?
Wool coats require specialized care. Hand wash gently using a mild detergent made for delicates and cold water. Rinse thoroughly and lay flat or hang to dry. Steam or have professionally dry cleaned to avoid heat damage from drying machines.
Should lab coats be washed separately from other laundry?
Ideally, yes. Washing with other garments risks transferring hazardous materials or infectious substances. Lab coats, scrubs, and other heavily soiled professional uniforms should be washed separately from personal clothing.
How often should you replace a lab coat?
With frequent laundering, a high-quality lab coat should last 1-2 years before needing replacement. Signs it’s time for a new coat include thinning material, tears or holes, broken fasteners, or irreversible stains. Replacing regularly helps maintain safety and a professional appearance.
Can lab coats be washed at home?
Healthcare and research facility lab coats subjected to biohazards or chemicals should be washed according to institutional protocols. Lightly worn coats may be washed at home using hot water, a sanitizing laundry detergent, and bleach alternatives as needed. Take care not to mix with other household laundry.
Maintaining cleanliness and integrity of white lab coats takes diligence and care. Following these best practices for pre-treatment, washing, drying, and storage allows professionals to keep coats fresh, sanitary, and neat for daily wear. Paying attention to the details ensures optimal protection and appearance over time. With routine care, a high-quality lab coat can be a long-lasting wardrobe investment for those working in healthcare, science, or other fields.
Conclusion
White lab coats are far more than a symbolic uniform – they are an essential protective garment for many professionals. Keeping coats properly laundered is vital for safety, hygiene, and presenting a capable appearance. This guide covers everything from pre-treating stubborn stains to choosing the ideal washing cycles and drying methods. With attention to these best practices, lab coats can be kept clean, crisp, and sanitary for regular use. Professionals who care for their lab coats demonstrate a dedication to health and science that inspires confidence and trust.