Unfortunately, getting blood on your scrubs can be a normal part of working in healthcare, but wearing bloody scrubs isn’t a great look. Keeping your scrubs professional and stain-free is essential for maintaining professionalism and keeping your patients calm and comfortable.
So, what can you do if you get blood on your scrubs? Blood stains can be particularly stubborn due to their protein-based nature, requiring special care for removal. In this guide, we'll explain how to get blood out of scrubs, step by step.
Although we’ve got some great tips for how to clean blood off scrubs, some blood stains are just too stubborn. If you treat the stain and still see a visible mark, it might be time to retire your scrubs. But don’t worry - you can find the perfect replacement luxury scrubs here at Poppy Scrubs.
Why Rapid Blood Stain Removal is So Important
If blood is spilled on you, it’s important to deal with it immediately, both from a bio-safety perspective and also to remove it from your scrubs. The proteins in blood bind to fabric fibers, making stains harder to remove over time. The longer the stain sits, the more chance it becomes permanent.
Stains can also carry bacteria, so promptly removing blood ensures you reduce any risk of cross-contamination, maintaining both your own personal hygiene and the safety of the patients you’re working with.
Clean scrubs are a sign of respect for patients and colleagues, reflecting the standard of care in medical environments. So, what can you do to treat a blood stain on your workwear? Let’s take a look at how to get blood out of scrubs.
How to Get Blood Out of Scrubs: Step-by-Step Guide
Whether you're dealing with fresh stains or set-in marks, this step-by-step guide will help you restore your scrubs to their clean, professional appearance. Here’s how to get blood out of scrubs.
Assessing the Stain
Take a moment to assess the blood stain and determine whether it's fresh or has already set in. Fresh blood stains are easier to remove, while older stains require more effort and specific treatments. Knowing the stain’s condition will help you choose the right method.
Initial Rinse and Blotting
The first step in how to get blood out of scrubs is to rinse the stain under cold water. Avoid hot water, as it can cause the blood to set into the fabric. Gently blot the area with a clean cloth or paper towel to lift as much blood as possible without rubbing, which can spread the stain further.
Methods for Removing Fresh Blood Stains
If you’re lucky, you’ll have the chance to deal with the stain right away, which gives you a much better chance of removing it completely. Here’s how to remove blood from scrubs while the stain is still fresh.
Cold Water Rinse
Run cold water over the stained area, allowing the water to push the blood out of the fabric. Keep rinsing until the water runs clear, as this method works best when the stain in your core scrubs is still fresh.
Soap and Water Solution
If water alone doesn’t remove the stain, try mixing a mild soap or detergent with water. Apply the solution to the stain and gently rub the fabric together to work the soap into the fibers. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse thoroughly with cold water.
Methods for Removing Set-In Blood Stains
For older, dried blood stains, you’ll need stronger cleaning agents. Here’s how to remove blood from scrubs if the stain has already dried.
Enzymatic Cleaners
Enzymatic cleaners are designed to break down proteins like those found in blood. Apply the cleaner to the stain and let it sit for 15-30 minutes. Afterward, scrub the area gently and rinse with cold water. These cleaners can be particularly effective on stubborn, dried blood stains.
Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment
Hydrogen peroxide is a powerful stain remover, especially for dried blood. Pour a small amount directly onto the stain and let it bubble for a few minutes. Blot with a clean cloth, then rinse thoroughly.
Be cautious, as hydrogen peroxide can have a mild bleaching effect on colored fabrics. Certain scrubs colors are more at risk than others, including bright, vibrant colors like eggplant scrubs, hunter green scrubs, and Caribbean blue scrubs. Test a small, inconspicuous area first!
Alternative Home Remedies
If you don’t have specialized cleaners on hand, several home remedies can effectively tackle blood stains. Here’s how to get blood off scrubs using treatments you already have lying around the house.
Baking Soda and Water Paste
Create a paste by mixing baking soda with a small amount of cold tap water, then apply it to the stain. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes before gently scrubbing the area with a small scrubbing brush or old toothbrush. Rinse your scrubs with cold water afterward.
Ammonia Solution
Mix one tablespoon of ammonia with half a cup of cold water and apply it to the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then blot with a clean cloth and rinse. Be careful when using ammonia on brightly colored fabrics like burgundy scrubs or grape scrubs, as it can cause discoloration.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that’s surprisingly effective for removing blood stains. Apply it directly to the stain and let it sit in the sun for added effect. Afterward, rinse your scrubs thoroughly with cold water.
Aspirin
Aspirin isn’t just good for fighting headaches after a long, stressful shift! Crush an aspirin tablet and mix it with a little water to form a paste. Apply the paste to the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub gently before rinsing with cold water.
Vinegar
Vinegar is another effective option for breaking down blood stains. It won’t affect the fabric of your stretchy scrubs, but it will lift stains! Pour a small amount directly onto the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Blot the area with a cloth, then rinse thoroughly.
Preventative Measures for Blood-Stained Scrubs
It’s important to learn how to clean blood off scrubs so that you’re ready to deal with any stains on your scrubs, but there are also a few things you can do to prevent blood stains in the first place.
We often think about what to wear under scrubs, but in high-risk situations where exposure to blood is more likely, consider wearing a protective barrier over your scrubs. Aprons, lab coats, or disposable gowns can shield your scrubs from direct contact with blood, reducing the risk of stains.
The faster you address a blood stain, the easier it will be to remove. Keep a stain removal pen or wipes in your pocket to treat stains immediately. These portable options are convenient and can prevent the blood from soaking into the fabric until you can fully wash your scrubs.
Wearing darker-colored scrubs like purple scrubs or black scrubs can help mask blood stains better than lighter shades like ceil blue scrubs or charcoal grey scrubs. While it doesn’t prevent stains, it can make them less noticeable throughout your shift, allowing you to focus on caring for your patients.
Keep in mind that you can’t always choose your own scrubs colors - some institutions have rules about who wears black scrubs, who wears galaxy blue vs royal blue scrubs, and the green scrubs meaning. Make sure you know the requirements and stick to the appropriate colors for your role.
Upgrade Your Work Wardrobe With Fresh, Fluid-Resistant Scrubs Today!
Sometimes, despite your best efforts, it’s impossible to fully remove a blood stain from your scrubs. Don’t keep wearing scrubs that are stained - it’s unprofessional and can make patients feel uncomfortable. Instead, upgrade to a new pair of comfortable scrubs from Poppy Scrubs!
We have an amazing selection of women’s scrub pants and women’s scrub tops, available in a huge range of styles, fade-proof colors, and sizes. Plus, our scrubs are made from a fluid-resistant material, which means you hopefully won’t have to deal with stained scrubs again!
What Makes Poppy Scrubs the #1 Choice Online?
If you’re looking for the best scrubs for women or wondering how to wear scrubs fashionably, you’ve come to the right place. Designed by a nurse, our scrubs are the perfect combination of function, comfort, and style - everything you need to get you through a busy shift!
What material are scrubs made of from Poppy Scrubs? Our fashionable scrubs are made from a breathable, soft, 4-way stretch fabric that’s both flattering and comfortable. You’ll stay cool, be able to move freely, and won’t be constantly adjusting your waistband. Who says you can’t have it all?!
Plus, our fitted scrubs are designed by a nurse, so they’re extremely practical. They have reinforced pockets in all the right places, they’re an amazing combination of feminine and professional, and they’re built to last. One look at our reviews tells you everything you need to know!
Our Most Popular Styles
Here at Poppy Scrubs, we have many different types of scrubs to choose from, as well as compression socks for nurses (available in some seriously cute prints) to keep you pain-free during long hours on your feet.
Our jogger scrubs, which come in two leg lengths, are the best jogger scrubs you’ll ever meet. Are jogger scrubs unprofessional, and are jogger scrubs still in style? Ours are ultra-stylish and professional! They’re sporty, fashionable, comfortable, and easy to style at work.
If you weigh up jogger scrubs vs regular scrubs and prefer the traditional straight leg, we have those too! Our waterproof scrubs will keep you stain-free and comfortable, whichever style you choose. And don’t forget, our soft scrubs come in every color imaginable, including the classics:
Plus so many others! Our fade-proof colors stay vibrant even after hundreds of wash cycles - just make sure you know how to wash scrubs to keep those colors vibrant!
Parting Thoughts on How to Get Blood Off Scrubs
Hopefully, you now know how to get blood out of scrubs! Unfortunately, even if you do everything right, some stains just can’t be lifted. If this happens to you, it’s time to invest in a new pair of quality, comfortable scrubs.
At Poppy Scrubs, our fluid-resistant material doesn’t just keep you clean, it’s also the most comfortable scrubs fabric out there! With just the right amount of stretch, our moisture-wicking scrubs keep you cool and confident, even during the hardest shifts.
Invest in scrubs that look and feel like they were made just for you - shop modern and classic styles at Poppy Scrubs today!