What Material Are Scrubs Made of? What is The Best Fabric to Use for Scrubs?

A scrub is not your average pair of jeans and a t-shirt. If you are creating medical scrubs for someone else, you may need to register them with the federal government. There are three authorities in the United States that regulate the manufacturing of medical scrubs, so buying them rather than making them may be the preferable option.

We want to know what kind of fabric is used to make scrubs. Polyester, cotton, spandex, rayon, and blends of these fabrics can all be used to make medical scrubs. The final choice aims to combine the greatest qualities of the various textiles so that you can achieve the most effective scrubs. As a composite material, they should last longer.

Continue reading this article to learn more about scrubs and the materials they are comprised of. If you’d like to save money by making your own, this is the resource for you. Spend a few minutes brushing up on your knowledge of this crucial subject.

For non-medical purposes, it is quite acceptable to experiment with the design of your scrubs to your heart’s content. The scrubs, on the other hand, must provide some degree of protection if they’re going to be used in the medical field.

Tips 2: Scrubs are more comfortable and last longer when polyester and spandex are combined. When you need it, the spandex blend gives you even more stretch.

What Fabric are Scrubs Made out of?

 

Before the 20th century, surgeons wore black jackets stained with blood, according to history. When muslin scrubs were introduced in the late 19th century, they were fine until they got wet.

Rubber was added to the muslin as a solution to this issue, but the scrubs were still not all that comfortable. For scrubs, four textiles were chosen after years of experimentation. Cotton, polyester, rayon, and spandex are the four materials described above.

Scrub makers typically combine two to three of these fibers in order to ensure the wearer’s safety. As well as making cleaning a lot easier, these blends also provide good levels of comfort and durability.

Scrubs manufactured from these materials aren’t perfect, of course, and the drawbacks may differ depending on where you reside. To use cotton-free scrubs in a humid climate like Asia might be extremely uncomfortable.

Check your location of the country to ensure that you purchase the proper 100% fabric or the right blend of fibers to keep you comfortable while crafting your own set.

With 100% cotton, you’ll receive breathability, ease of maintenance and durability, as well as anti-static qualities. In spite of their softness, they are not breathable and do not have the ability to stretch or resist wrinkling.

What Weight Fabric for Scrubs

The intended application of the fabric will determine the weight. As a surgical nurse, you’ll need disposable scrubs composed of a light-weight material, such as nylon.

Scrubs produced from a heavyweight fabric with a high polyester count provide the best protection against chemicals and fluids. A heavyweight cotton-based fabric with a small amount of polyester or rayon would be ideal for protecting you from the cold, dry winter weather.

For summer heat or humid regions of the country polyester fibers blended with cotton, rayon or even viscose are ideal. These are meant for medical professionals. The rules for making medical scrubs are strict and are set by the FDA, the AAMI & the ANSI.

Cotton, rayon, or viscose blends with polyester fibers work best in humid climates. These are for those who work in the healthcare industry. FDA, AAMI, and ANSI define the standards for medical scrubs, which must meet exacting standards.

Take exact measurements of yourself or someone else’s body and then select a pattern, just like with any other clothing item you make yourself. When it comes to purchasing scrubs, you may choose from a wide variety of designs.

Antimicrobial Fabric for Scrubs

 

There are antibacterial scrubs available. A set of nylon and silver ion scrubs is another option. When the bacteria’s cell walls are broken down by the chemical silver ion, the bacteria are effectively exterminated. Once the germs are wiped out, they cannot be resurrected.

However, many home sewers may not be able to handle such a complex material, and polyester provides the best amount of protection. Considering that spandex and polyester are created from the same chemicals and petroleum compounds, you should expect similar levels of protection.

Polyester, on the other hand, is the most resistant to germs and bacteria. In contrast, rayon and cotton can be coated with an antimicrobial agent to help them resist germs and bacteria.

It’s important to remember that antimicrobial fabrics like these aren’t foolproof and should only be used as a supplement to more traditional methods of germ prevention.

When sewing scrubs, you need to be very careful when it comes to sleeve construction. Neither too tight nor too easy to take them off are desirable. If you’re going to be generous with the size, make sure you stitch them in place properly. Different sleeve designs are available for you to select from.

Fabric Suitable for Hospital Scrubs

The four materials previously mentioned are used to make the majority of hospital scrubs. The type, thickness, and degree of protection you receive at the hospital are all dependent on where you work.

For surgical scrubs, lightweight cotton is great because you only need them once. You want to be able to throw them away and start over with a new set for the next procedure after spending so much time in the operating room.

When working in a humid area, a decent polyester-cotton blend provides both moisture-wicking and breathability, making it ideal for humid environments. There should also be a small amount of spandex in this blend to provide some elasticity.

This time of year calls for heavier fabrics, such as a cotton-polyester blend. Warmth and durability are important, but static electricity accumulation is not.

A heavyweight polyester fabric is recommended if you will be working with chemicals or bodily fluids that are hazardous. Polyester has anti-microbial and stain-resistance properties.

Once you’ve decided on a pattern, making scrubs is a cinch. It will be the most difficult aspect of the process to choose a design because scrubs are put together just like any other piece of apparel.

What is The Best Fabric to Use for Scrubs?

 

Cotton is the best option if you’re looking for both comfort and breathability. Cotton, on the other hand, isn’t suitable in every case. Because of this, it is difficult to choose the ideal material for hospital scrubs.

Each fabric option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages that make it suitable for a variety of work environments. When temperatures and humidity levels begin to climb, the blended textiles are at their finest.

In the event of a temperature and humidity swing in the opposite direction, cotton is an excellent choice for keeping you warm. A combination of fibers would definitely make the greatest fabric. You’ll receive the best of all fibers and the best protection that fabrics can offer this way.

It’s best if you experiment with various textiles to determine which one best meets your needs in terms of both comfort and safety. To get the most out of the textiles, tailor them to your specific needs.

Use the over-stitching approach to ensure that your scrubs are as long-lasting as possible. When you’re finished, don’t forget to put them on and see how they feel.

Where to Buy Fabric to Make Scrubs

There should be no problem finding any of these fabrics, as they are widely accessible and in high demand. To make your own, you should be able to get the suitable fabrics at a medical supply store.

You shouldn’t expect a low price for the quantity of materials you need because these are small, privately owned businesses rather than the giants like Etsy or Amazon. A wide variety of patterns will be available on Amazon so that you can create your own distinctive look while still meeting the medical dress code.

Pre-made scrubs are an option if you can’t locate the right materials to make your own, but if you can’t find them, you can always buy them.

If you’re thinking about making your own, the most pressing worry is obviously cost. In order to avoid wasting your time and money, it is imperative that you adhere to specific criteria. Color will play a significant role because there are only so many hues and designs to choose from.

Tip 8: Stay away from white textiles. The green ghosting effect appears to be caused by the white substance. This tendency can be avoided by using green or blue-colored materials.

Finding Scrub Fabric by the Yard

 

You’ll save money by purchasing scrub textiles by the yard while you’re looking for them. This allows you to visit your preferred fabric stores and see what they have to offer.

You can begin by visiting small, independently owned businesses in your area; but, while they provide excellent service, their product range may be inadequate. Because they have to stock so many other items, mall department stores may have a limited assortment as well.

After that, you can examine what’s available at big-box retailers like Walmart, Target, and the like. Their prices should be lower if they already have the material on hand.

After that, you can check out Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, JoAnn’s, or even Hancock’s to see if they have the fabric in the color and style you’re after. To round out your options, there are countless fabric stores and internet retailers like Amazon that seem to have a limitless supply of materials.

You may have to go on a treasure quest to find the materials you need at a price you can afford.

How Much Fabric do You Need for Scrubs? (How Many Yards)

 

When you’re ready to buy the textiles for your own scrubs, there are a number of things to keep in mind. One thing that affects how many yards you buy is the wearer’s or your own size.

Then, the design you choose will have an impact on the amount of material you need. It takes less material to make kimono sleeves than it does to make set-in sleeves. Because of the many variables, it’s best to stick with 3 to 4 yards of material as a good starting point.

Depending on your height, you may need as much as 5 yards of fabric, while those who are shorter may only require 3 yards. Scrub tops typically require 1 to 2 yards of fabric, whereas scrub pants may require up to 2 yards. Scrub tops are far more economical.

Some Final Words

Creating a pair of scrubs is very similar to creating any other piece of apparel. Pattern, measurements, and the correct materials are essential. It is important to remember that the function of the scrubs will assist you choose the right fabric.

The most difficult part will be deciding on a design because there are so many options. Plus, once you’re done, they should be incredibly comfy to wear. Just be sure to follow the rules exactly while submitting your work.