Care and Maintenance Tips for EPIC by IRG Scrubs

A good scrub-care routine should accomplish more than getting a uniform clean. Frequent washing, drying, pocket use, friction, stains, and repeated wear can gradually affect how workwear looks and feels.

For healthcare professionals wearing Epic scrubs by IRG, the smartest approach is simple: follow the garment's care label, use a routine that is gentle enough for performance fabric, address stains promptly, and inspect the scrubs regularly rather than waiting until they visibly look worn out.

IRG's current scrub-care guidance notes that cold washing, gentle detergents, and avoiding high-heat drying can help scrubs maintain their color and fabric surface through repeated laundering.

Quick Answer

For routine care, start with the instructions on the EPIC garment label. In general, IRG recommends care habits such as cooler washing, gentle detergent, and avoiding excessive dryer heat to help maintain scrub color and surface condition.

Healthcare uniforms that are contaminated with blood or other potentially infectious material are a different issue. Follow your employer's exposure-control and laundry procedures rather than treating them like ordinary household clothing. CDC guidance distinguishes routine uniforms from contaminated healthcare textiles and emphasizes facility policies for handling them.

Key Takeaways

• Read the care label on the exact scrub garment before washing it.

• Cooler wash temperatures and gentle detergent can be useful for routine performance fabric care when the garment label permits.

• Avoid excessive dryer heat, as polyester-based fabrics generally require lower drying temperatures than some natural fibers.

• Empty every pocket before washing.

• Treat ordinary stains as soon as practicable, rather than repeatedly drying them into the fabric.

• Do not assume stain-resistant scrubs are stain-proof or infection-resistant.

• Follow workplace procedures for clothing contaminated with blood or potentially infectious material.

• Inspect waistbands, cuffs, seams, pockets, and the fabric surface periodically to know when a set needs repair or replacement.

1. Start With the Care Label Every Time You Add a New Style

It is tempting to assume that every scrub in the same collection can be washed the same way.

That is not the safest approach.

Fabric blends, trim, knit panels, elastic waistbands, zippers, cuffs, and other construction details can vary between garments. Manufacturer instructions for the exact item should take priority over general laundry advice.

CDC guidance similarly advises healthcare workers to follow textile cleaning instructions, as certain fabrics may have specific laundering requirements.

Before the First Wash, Check For:

• Recommended water temperature

• Drying instructions

• Bleach restrictions

• Ironing limits

• Special instructions for trim or stretch components

If you cut care tags out of your workwear, consider taking a quick photo first so the information is available later.

2. Empty the Pockets Before the Scrubs Reach the Washer

This is one of the simplest scrub-maintenance habits and one of the easiest to skip after a tiring shift.

Healthcare uniforms can accumulate:

• Pens

• Markers

• Paper

• Badge accessories

• Hair ties

• Tape

• Receipts

• Lip balm

• Small personal items

A forgotten pen is not just inconvenient. An open or leaking item can cause stains on an otherwise usable load.

Make a pocket sweep part of changing out of your work clothes.

A 20-Second Pocket Routine

Check:

1. Chest pocket

2. Front top pockets

3. Cargo pockets

4. Front pant pockets

5. Back pockets

6. Hidden or zippered phone pockets

If your scrub has a zipper, fastening it before laundering may also help keep the hardware from snagging other items, provided the garment's instructions do not say otherwise.

3. Separate Laundry by More Than Just Color

Dark versus light is only one way to sort a load.

For routine, non-contaminated uniforms, also consider what else is entering the washer.

Rough fabrics, hook-and-loop closures, exposed hardware, and lint-heavy items can rub against smoother performance material.

A practical home-laundry sort may separate:

• Dark scrubs

• Light scrubs

• Towels or lint-heavy items

• Clothing with rough closures

• Delicate performance garments

The goal is not to create an elaborate laundry ritual. It is to prevent unnecessary friction on workwear.

4. Use the Gentlest Routine That Meets the Garment and Workplace Requirements

People sometimes assume that healthcare workwear must always be subjected to the hottest and harshest household cycle available.

That is too broad.

For ordinary care, IRG notes that cold washing and gentle detergents can help scrubs maintain color and surface appearance, while high drying heat can contribute to wear.

But healthcare laundry also involves an important second set of rules: workplace contamination procedures.

CDC explains that ordinary uniforms without blood or body-substance contamination differ from clothing contaminated with potentially infectious material. Facilities should establish appropriate cleaning guidance based on the work being performed.

So the correct order of priorities is:

1. Employer safety and infection-control policy

2. Garment manufacturer's care instructions

3. A routine designed to avoid unnecessary fabric stress

Do not override a workplace exposure procedure simply because a lower-temperature cycle is gentler on clothing.

5. Be Careful With Heat

Dryer heat is easy to overlook because the garment may appear fine when the cycle ends.

Repeated exposure to unnecessary heat, however, is not always ideal for performance fabrics.

CDC's healthcare laundry guidance notes that polyester and polyester blends generally require shorter drying times and lower temperatures than some other fabrics.

IRG likewise recommends avoiding high-heat drying as a general strategy for helping scrub fabric maintain its appearance.

A Better Drying Habit

If the care label permits it:

• Select an appropriate lower-heat setting.

• Avoid leaving garments tumbling well beyond the time needed to dry.

• Remove scrubs once dry.

• Smooth seams and waistbands before folding or hanging.

If air-drying is permitted by the garment instructions and works with your schedule, it may also reduce unnecessary dryer exposure.

Always let the label make the final call.

6. Treat Stains Before Repeated Washing and Drying

EPIC is marketed as an easy-care performance collection, and Scrubs of Evans describes the line as including stain-resistant and quick-drying features.

That does not mean a stain-resistant garment cannot stain.

If you notice an ordinary non-biohazard stain:

1. Identify it as early as possible.

2. Check the garment label.

3. Use a compatible stain treatment or detergent.

4. Test unfamiliar products discreetly when appropriate.

5. Wash according to the garment instructions.

6. Check the stained area before putting the garment through substantial dryer heat.

Avoid automatically reaching for strong bleach or aggressive chemicals unless the fabric-care instructions permit them.

Important: Clinical Contamination Is Different

A coffee spill and blood contamination are not the same laundry problem.

CDC states that institutions are required to launder garments used as PPE and uniforms that are visibly soiled with blood or infectious material.

If your scrubs become contaminated during healthcare work, follow your employer's current procedure for removing, containing, transporting, and laundering them.

Do not improvise a home stain-removal routine for occupational contamination.

7. Skip Fabric “Hacks” That Conflict With the Label

Social media is full of tricks for setting color, removing odors, softening fabric, whitening clothing, or restoring faded garments.

Some may be harmless for certain fabrics. Others may not be suitable for performance workwear.

With easy care scrubs, the easiest routine is usually the one with fewer variables:

• Manufacturer-approved detergent

• Correct water temperature

• Appropriate drying method

• Prompt stain attention

• No unnecessary harsh additives

If a cleaning trick contradicts the care tag, skip the trick.

8. Do Not Overload the Washer

Scrubs need enough room for water and detergent to circulate through the load.

Packing the machine as tightly as possible can also leave garments tangled and compressed against one another.

A reasonable load size allows clothes to move rather than turning the washer into a tightly packed storage bin.

This is particularly helpful for jogger cuffs, drawstrings, jackets, and garments with multiple pockets.

9. Check Drawstrings, Cuffs, Zippers, and Pockets After Washing

Performance scrubs include more construction details than many basic uniforms.

Once a set is clean and dry, give it a ten-second inspection.

Look at:

Waistband

Does the elastic return normally, or has it begun to curl, twist, or lose stability?

Drawstring

Is it intact and evenly positioned?

Jogger Cuffs

Are they maintaining their shape?

Pockets

Look at the upper corners, where repeated phone or equipment weight can put stress on the stitching.

Zippers

Confirm that they operate smoothly and remain securely attached.

Seams

Look especially at high-movement areas such as:

• Underarms

• Side seams

• Inner thighs

• Seat

• Knees

• Pocket corners

Finding a small seam problem early may give you the opportunity to repair the garment before it becomes a larger tear.

10. Rotate Scrub Sets Instead of Wearing One Favorite Constantly

Most people eventually develop a favorite scrub set.

The problem comes when that set is worn and washed far more frequently than everything else in the closet.

A rotation distributes:

• Laundry cycles

• Pocket stress

• Seat and knee friction

• Waistband wear

• Repeated stain exposure

If your work schedule requires scrubs most days, keep enough usable sets to match the interval between laundry days.

You do not necessarily need a huge wardrobe. You need enough that one favorite pair isn't forced through the washer every other day just because nothing else is ready.

11. Store Clean Scrubs Dry and Ready for Work

CDC recommends keeping clean healthcare textiles dry and protected from soil or body-substance contamination before use.

At home, that principle can be kept simple.

Store clean scrubs:

• In a clean drawer

• On hangers in a clean closet

• On a dedicated shelf

• Away from damp laundry

• Away from work shoes or visibly soiled garments

Do not leave a clean uniform sitting for days in the same work bag used to transport shoes, food containers, or worn clothing.

A small amount of organization makes the morning routine easier, too.

The Sunday-Night Scrub Reset

For healthcare professionals who work several shifts each week, a five-minute wardrobe check can prevent midweek problems.

Step 1: Count Clean Sets

Make sure your rotation covers the upcoming shifts.

Step 2: Inspect High-Wear Areas

Check:

• Knees

• Inner thighs

• Seat

• Underarms

• Pocket corners

• Waistband

• Jogger cuffs

• Zippers

Step 3: Check for Stains

Do not discover an untreated mark ten minutes before leaving for work.

Step 4: Check Fit

A uniform can change over time.

Ask:

• Does the waistband still stay in place?

• Does the fabric recover normally after movement?

• Has the neckline stretched?

• Is the pant hem still appropriate?

• Are pockets sagging?

Step 5: Prepare the Next Set

Hang or fold the complete top-and-pant combination so you are not searching for one matching piece before an early shift.

When Should You Replace a Scrub Set?

There is no universal number of wash cycles after which scrubs automatically become unusable.

Replace based on condition and workplace appearance requirements.

Consider retiring a set when you notice:

• Persistent tears

• Failed seams

• Worn-through fabric

• A waistband that no longer stays secure

• Permanently distorted cuffs

• Zippers that no longer function reliably

• Significant pilling or abrasion that affects professional appearance

• Stains that cannot be acceptably removed

• Loss of coverage due to stretched or damaged fabric

• A fit that no longer allows comfortable work movement

Your employer may have additional appearance or uniform standards.

A Simple EPIC Scrub Care Roadmap

Use this sequence for routine, non-contaminated workwear.

After the Shift

• Follow workplace procedures for changing clothes.

• Check whether contamination requires special handling.

• Empty every pocket.

• Identify ordinary stains.

Before Washing

• Read the care label.

• Sort appropriately.

• Pretreat compatible ordinary stains if necessary.

• Close or secure garment components when appropriate.

Washing

• Follow the garment's recommended temperature.

• Use an appropriate detergent.

• Avoid overloading the washer.

• Do not add bleach or other harsh products unless permitted.

Drying

• Follow the label.

• Avoid excessive heat when the garment instructions call for lower temperatures.

• Remove the scrubs when dry.

After Drying

• Inspect seams.

• Check pockets.

• Check waistband and cuffs.

• Fold or hang clean garments.

• Store them somewhere clean and dry.

That is effective medical scrub care without turning laundry day into a complicated project.

Caring for Scrubs Around Evans and Augusta

Healthcare professionals in Evans, Augusta, Columbia County, and nearby communities often need uniforms that can withstand frequent work-and-laundry cycles.

Scrubs of Evans currently carries the EPIC by IRG collection at its store, 4158 Washington Road, Suite 7, in Evans. The store's current website lists hours of Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

If a favorite set is beginning to show wear or you want to compare replacement styles, you can check the Scrubs of Evans location and directions before visiting.

Specific colors, sizes, and EPIC styles may vary, so current availability should be confirmed rather than assumed.

FAQ

How should I wash EPIC by IRG scrubs?

Start with the care label on the exact garment. IRG's current general guidance for maintaining scrub color and surface condition includes cold washing, using gentle detergents, and avoiding high dryer heat where the care instructions permit those practices.

Can I put EPIC scrubs in the dryer?

Follow the garment label. IRG advises avoiding high-heat drying as a general scrub-care practice, and CDC notes that polyester and polyester blends typically use shorter drying times and lower temperatures in healthcare laundry processes.

Should I use bleach on medical scrubs?

Only when the garment's care instructions and the required laundry procedure permit it. CDC specifically notes that chlorine bleach is not appropriate for every fabric and recommends checking textile cleaning instructions.

Are EPIC by IRG scrubs stain-proof?

No. Scrubs of Evans and IRG describe EPIC as having stain-resistant or easy-care characteristics, but stain resistance should not be interpreted as stain-proofing. Prompt care is still useful when ordinary spills occur.

Should healthcare scrubs always be washed separately?

There is no single universal household-laundry rule that applies to every healthcare uniform. CDC notes that uniforms without blood or body-substance contamination are different from contaminated healthcare textiles and that healthcare facilities should establish cleaning guidance based on the work being performed.

Follow your employer's policy first.

Can I take contaminated scrubs home and wash them?

Do not assume that you can. CDC states that institutions are required to launder uniforms visibly soiled with blood or infectious material, and that workplace policies govern the handling of contaminated healthcare laundry.

Follow your facility's exposure-control and laundry procedures.

How often should EPIC scrubs be replaced?

There is no universal replacement schedule. Inspect condition instead. Worn seams, failing waistbands, permanent stains, damaged pockets, thinning fabric, loss of coverage, or a noticeably altered fit are practical reasons to consider replacement.

Do easy-care scrubs need less washing?

“Easy care” refers to maintenance characteristics, not permission to wear uniforms longer between necessary cleaning. Follow your employer's dress and hygiene requirements and wash workwear according to the conditions in which it was worn.

This article provides general clothing-care information and is not medical, infection-control, or occupational-safety advice. Always follow your healthcare employer's current policies for contaminated clothing and the manufacturer's instructions for the specific garment.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining EPIC scrubs does not require a complicated collection of laundry tricks.

The most useful routine is usually the most consistent:

Check the label. Empty the pockets. Address stains. Wash appropriately. Avoid unnecessary heat. Inspect the garment. Rotate your sets. Store them clean and dry.

Those habits help protect the things that made a scrub set worth buying in the first place—its fit, appearance, pockets, waistband, fabric surface, and ability to stay useful through a busy workweek.

And when clinical contamination is involved, stop treating the issue as ordinary clothing care and follow your employer's infection-control procedures instead.