Antimicrobial scrubs are one of many options available to healthcare organizations planning staff uniform programs. Before selecting them for an entire team, managers need to know what the treatment is designed to do, how it holds up to laundering, and how the garments compare with standard medical scrubs in comfort, durability, and cost.

Antimicrobial medical scrubs contain a fabric treatment designed to inhibit the growth or survival of certain microorganisms on the material. The active ingredient, targeted microorganisms, intended benefits, and expected duration of the treatment vary by product.

These garments are not sterile or a substitute for required infection-control practices. Healthcare organizations should evaluate them as workwear, with attention to fit, function, care requirements, and overall program needs.

A Team of Healthcare Professionals Standing in a Medical Facility Wearing their Scrubs and a Mask

How Do Antimicrobial Scrubs Work?

Manufacturers may incorporate an antimicrobial agent into the fibers or apply it to the finished fabric. When microorganisms reach the material, the treatment is designed to interfere with their growth or survival.

Antimicrobial technologies are not interchangeable. They can use different active ingredients, target different microorganisms, and perform differently under workplace conditions. Results may also change after repeated laundering.

Before approving a product for staff use, request documentation that identifies:

  • The antimicrobial agent used
  • The microorganisms included in testing
  • The intended benefit of the treatment
  • The testing methods and results
  • Performance after repeated wash cycles
  • Required laundering conditions

This information can help procurement teams compare specific antimicrobial uniforms without relying on the label alone.

Prudential Unisex Scrub Uniform Hanging Up

How to Evaluate Antimicrobial Scrubs for Your Staff

Antimicrobial properties are only one part of the purchasing decision. Healthcare managers should compare each garment’s fit, durability, laundering requirements, and cost against the needs of their staff and uniform program.

1. Fit and Function

Healthcare employees may spend hours walking, bending, reaching, lifting, and assisting patients. Their scrub uniforms need to accommodate these movements while providing easy access to the items they use throughout a shift.

Consider which employees will wear the garments and what their work requires. Nurses, laboratory employees, medical assistants, and technicians may need different pocket configurations, fabric weights, levels of stretch, or fits. A small wear trial can help managers evaluate sizing, breathability, seam placement, pocket access, and overall comfort before introducing a style across the facility.

2. Durability and Laundering

Review the hospital uniform’s construction, shrinkage resistance, color retention, and expected service life. Ask how many wash cycles the antimicrobial treatment has been tested to withstand and which laundering conditions were used.

Antimicrobial medical uniforms still require proper laundering because the treatment does not remove soil, bodily fluids, chemicals, or microorganisms. The CDC’s healthcare laundry and bedding guidance explains that laundering effectiveness depends on factors such as water temperature, detergent, mechanical action, rinsing, and drying. Confirm that the garment’s care instructions are compatible with your facility’s laundering process.

3. Cost and Program Logistics

Compare the price of antimicrobial healthcare uniforms with untreated options and consider their expected service life. Also review sizing availability, inventory needs, replacement procedures, and any special handling requirements. These factors can affect the overall cost and complexity of supplying uniforms across departments or locations.

Pharmacy Physician and Medical Professional Filling a Prescription in a Scrub Uniform

Simplify Your Healthcare Uniform Program

Managing healthcare work apparel and uniforms in-house requires your team to purchase garments, maintain inventory, coordinate laundering, and replace worn scrubs. Prudential Overall Supply can manage these responsibilities through a dependable uniform rental program.

We offer medical and healthcare uniforms, including scrubs and lab coats, with professional laundering and scheduled service. Garments are sorted by fabric and soil type, processed with computerized wash equipment, professionally finished, inspected, and repaired as needed. RFID tracking helps confirm garment quantities throughout our complete service cycle.

Explore Prudential Overall Supply’s professional work uniform rental services to keep your healthcare team supplied with clean, professional workwear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Research has not established that antimicrobial scrubs prevent healthcare-associated infections. A 2017 trial found no reduction in clothing contamination with the products tested, while a 2025 study found lower pathogen proliferation with a specific fabric treatment. These findings show that results can vary by product, but neither study establishes that antimicrobial nursing uniforms prevent infections.

Ask which treatment the garment uses, which microorganisms were included in testing, and how the treatment performs after repeated laundering. Facilities should also confirm sizing availability, care requirements, replacement procedures, and expected costs before selecting scrubs for an entire team.

Antimicrobial scrubs still require regular laundering because the treatment does not remove soil, bodily fluids, or other contaminants. Healthcare organizations should establish a schedule based on facility policies, workplace exposures, and the garment manufacturer’s care instructions.

The duration depends on the treatment, fabric, and laundering process. Employers should request testing that shows how the antimicrobial treatment performs after a stated number of wash cycles.

The answer depends on the organization’s goals and the evidence available for the specific product. Employers should compare the expected benefit with comfort, durability, laundering compatibility, service life, and total program costs.