Bulk Medical Scrubs: Considerations to Make Before Investing

Scrub up on the best features

Scrubs are the official attire of healthcare professionals for many good reasons. They’re comfortable, durable and limit cross-contamination of germs between patients. Yet not all scrubs are the same—bulk medical scrubs can vary in fabric type and insulation levels in several crucial ways. Let’s take a closer look at the features, benefits and drawbacks that employers should know about before completing an order.

Top features to look for in bulk medical scrubs

Comfort

Staff will be wearing scrubs for long stretches of time, so it’s crucial that scrubs are comfortable, lightweight and insulated enough to keep medical staff warm. What’s more, medical scrubs should have breathable, moisture wicking fabric that keeps employees dry for an entire shift—even the dreaded 18-hour shift for residents.

Functionality

As workplace attire, medical scrubs need to be functional across a variety of roles. These functions can vary by business, but there are a few common considerations:

• Visually distinct: Medical scrubs must stand apart from everyday clothing—not only for health standards, but so patients can identify staff at a glance. Scrubs also come in a variety of colors to quickly identify which department a given individual belongs to.

• Maneuverability: Health professionals tend to be physically active throughout the day. Scrub fabric should be able to stretch as required without hindering movement.

• Pockets: Depending on their role, medical professionals may spend long periods of time away from desks or lockers. Pockets help them keep important items like phones and pens with them wherever they are.

Health standards

There are many reasons scrubs are the official outfit of medical professionals, not the least of which is meeting health guidelines. While the specific rules will vary by state, profession and individual institution, scrubs typically align with ANSI and AAMI guidelines for protective clothing.

In a medical setting, scrubs need to meet one of four levels for liquid-resistant clothing. Surgical scrubs typically meet the highest tier, while general medical scrubs fit into a lower tier based on expected exposure to bodily fluids within that role. If you are an employer buying bulk medical scrubs for staff, it’s vital to confirm these requirements before ordering.

Size

Medical scrubs that meets most health requirements can still hinder staff if they cannot be worn correctly. Wherever possible, scrubs should be form-fitted to the individual employee. They shouldn’t be so loose they catch on obstacles or so tight they restrict maneuverability. As a general rule, there should be enough space to wear additional layers of clothing underneath the scrubs, such as a sweater or an undershirt.

Durability

While surgical scrubs are disposable, even bulk medical scrubs are expected to be reusable. As such, they’ll need to be able resist wear, tear and stains that are common in medical professions for an extended period of time. More importantly, scrubs must be durable enough to undergo regular wash cycles without damage.

Style

For all the requirements of bulk medical scrubs, there’s still room for personality. Scrubs come in a variety of colors, patterns and styles that can be adjusted to suit individuals within the recommended guidelines. Many scrub manufacturers also allow for accessories such as name tags.

Choosing the right fabrics

Scrubs come in a variety of fabrics and materials, but four are particularly useful and versatile in medical settings. Scrubs can either consist entirely of a given fabric or use a blend that leverages benefits from each material.

• Cotton: Traditional cotton is one of the most reliable and commonly used fabrics for designing bulk medical scrubs. It benefits from being comfortable, breathable and supportive of air flow but may require special treatment during wash cycles.

• Polyester: While less breathable than cotton, polyester is wrinkle-resistant and highly durable compared to other fabrics. It’s also fast drying, so it can spend less time in the dry cycle.

• Rayon: With its soft and smooth silk-like texture, rayon is a lightweight scrubs fabric with moisture wicking capabilities. Unfortunately, it also wrinkles easily and is less durable after repeated washings.

• Spandex:  In terms of maneuverability, it’s hard to beat scrubs made with spandex. They support a large range of motion and activity levels but also tend to be less breathable. Spandex is best as a part of a blend with other materials.

Scrubs cleaning, maintenance & storage

Cleaning and maintaining medical scrubs is just as crucial for long-term durability as choosing the right fabric. Most importantly, scrubs should always be cleaned using the recommended procedures for each fabric type. For example, cotton should be washed in cold water with detergent with a half-cup of white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Polyester, on the other hand, should always be washed in warm water instead of hot.

While cleaning scrubs, keep safety in mind. Everyone should wear disposable gloves while handling dirty scrubs to avoid exposure to liquids that made contact in the prior shift. In terms of storage, clean scrubs should be folded and placed in a cool, dry environment to prevent wear and color loss.

Find your preferred scrubs at Walmart Business

Once you’ve decided on the right medical scrubs, head to Walmart Business for a great selection at affordable prices. Our apparel and workwear line has the clothing you need to get the work done, including coats, gloves and insulated pants.

If you already have an account, you can level up your savings by upgrading to a Walmart Business+ membership. You’ll get free shipping,¹ free delivery from local stores on orders over $35² and 2% back in Walmart Business Rewards.³ That could add up to savings of over $500 a year!⁴ Click here to learn more.

¹ Excludes most Marketplace items, freight and certain location surcharges.

² Restrictions apply. 

³ Rewards can only be used toward future purchases on Walmart Business. Additional terms apply.

⁴ Savings based on 1 free $35+ delivery order vs. $9.95 fee and 1 free shipping order under $35 vs. $6.99 fee biweekly, plus 2% Walmart Business Rewards on monthly order >$250 (average value of $400).