Since lab coats become regular wear in the1800s, they have gradually evolved, right along medical science as well. One such evolution came in the form of color and colored lab coats.
Despite being few in the healthcare industry, colored lab coats have left their impact. Colored lab coats are quite distinctive and recognizable. They can indicate a great many things in the medical industry. For example your colored lab coats may indicate your work status within your facility. But for colored lab coats are there tips for maintaining its color and quality? How should we clean our lab coats to keep them maintained and looking like new? To answer these questions we believe you need to understand the stains on your colored lab coats.
How Often Should Your Colored Lab Coats Be Washed?
In the medical industry, colored lab coats might be used as a way of preventing cross-contamination. By color-coding different departments or steps in a particular scientific process, you can monitor that process clearly. Therefore, the washing of your colored lab coats depends mostly on how often they get soiled. You can make a standard weekly washing schedule of your colored lab coats as well. This can help you maintain its cleanliness, even if your job is at low risk of cross-contamination. Washing your colored lab coats weekly can also decelerate the spread of germs, bacteria and other pathogens.
With colored lab coats it is easy to hide stains, especially on dark colored ones. Therefore it's important to understand when they cannot be washed and must be disposed of. Often colored lab coats are disposed when they are contaminated with:
- Corrosive agents,
- Strong acids,
- Organometallics like methyl mercury
- Carcinogens in amounts above 250 milliliters
- Teratogens in amounts above 250 milliliters
- Toxic substances with a Lactate Dehydrogenase 50 (LD 50) of 50mg/kg, in amounts above 250 milliliters.
Colored lab coats soiled with these contaminants are considered hazardous and unsalvageable, and therefore are disposed of properly for safety.
Identifying The Material Of Your Lab Coat
The colored lab coats you wear are usually made of either simple or blended materials. This mix of materials is what bestows your colored lab coats with its unique properties. These properties are crucial to your work, as they keep you safe and protected in case of emergencies.
Simple Material
The most common material used for making colored lab coats are:
1. Cotton
Cotton is one of the most basic materials that is used for making colored lab coats. Cotton is light-weight, comfortable and breathable, keeping you dry even after a long shift. On the contrary, the negatives of cotton is that it wrinkles easily. If washed and dried on high temperature, cotton also tends to shrink. This is why cotton is usually blended with other materials to enhance its good qualities and minimize the negative ones.
2. Polyester
Another simple material used for colored lab coats is polyester. This fabrics ability to stretch allows it retain its shape even after multiple wears and washing. Polyester doesn’t get weighed down when getting wet. This means that polyester makes your colored lab coats stain and wrinkle resistant. These are some reasons polyester is often blended with cotton to create some of the most perfect colored lab coats.
With all its good qualities, polyester also has some negative qualities as well. Despite being a stretchable, material polyester has a coarse feel that can make you itchy. Polyester also is not flame resistant and melts while burning fast. This particular quality can cause severe burns if your colored lab coats are not removed quickly.
3. Nomex
Nomex is a material used for making colored lab coats due to its fibers being naturally flame resistant. Its fibers of Nomex are also flexible, tough and tear resistant. This makes it the ideal material for colored lab coats that work around open flames. The cons, however, of Nomex is that it is a very delicate material that decomposes when washed with chlorine bleach. It's also susceptible to acetone while being one of the most expensive materials due its natural flame resistant qualities.
4. Polypropylene
Polypropylene material is usually used to make disposable lab coats due to its heavy weave. Polypropylene is an inexpensive material that is light, breathable and moisture-resistant. This is why it is the perfect choice for colored lab coat if you work in a biohazard lab. Despite all its attributes, the con side of Polypropylene materials is that it's highly combustible and decomposes under UV light.
Each with its own pros and cons, these materials are also blended with others to create perfect colored lab coats. Materials such as nylon and rayon are often added to the fabric mix to enhance the characteristics of your colored lab coats.
Identification Of Contamination
When you working the medical industry, you come in contact with a multitude of various contaminants. Therefore, in order to get your colored lab coats cleaned, it is imperative to recognize the type of stains you have on it.
The three basic categories of stains that you get on your colored lab coats are:
Chemical
Chemical colored lab coats are those that are soiled by chemicals. There is a pre-determined amount that judges whether a chemically soiled colored lab coat should be sanitized or disposed.
Biological
When your colored lab coats are contaminated with biological agents, this is called biological contamination. Colored lab coats with biological contamination go through a process called autoclaving. This process determines the exact temperatures you need to treat the stains and can be crucial in identifying difficult stains.
Radiation
The third major contaminant of colored lab coats are substances that cannot be autoclaved or handled regularly. Even their disposal is carefully monitored and given special attention. Such contaminants are usually radioactive.
When your colored lab coats are soiled by radioactive material, its disposal is managed by your facility management when authorized. However, usually for radioactive contaminants the Environment, Health and Safety Department (EHS) is notified for proper and timely disposal.
Pretreating Stains
After you have recognized the type of stain you have on your colored lab coat, you should always pre-treat them. The special attention you give to each individual stain before collectively laundering your colored lab coats makes all the difference. This way not only do you get the maximum amount of stain out, but you also protect the color of your lab coats. Just remember always pre-treat the stains according to their molecular makeup. This ensures a deeper clean without damaging the color or fabric.
The most common types of stains you get on your colored lab coats apart from radioactive contaminants always vary. On daily basis you can get ink stains, blood stains, protein stains and food stains. All of these are pre-treated separately before going in for a wash. It's important to pre-treat these stains to preserve the color of your lab coats. They are:
Ink Stains
The new technology of fountain pen ink allows it to easily be washed normally in the washer. For ballpoint pens or Biro, you need a clean rag, rubbing alcohol and paper towels.
To pretreat ball pen stains, simply place paper towels under the stained area of your colored lab coat. Then with a clean rag blot the stained area with rubbing alcohol until the stain dissolves. Make sure to keep changing the blotting rag and wash immediately. Repeat the process until the stain disappears.
Blood Stains
Pre-treating your colored lab coat stained with blood is simple. All you require is a blotting rag, clean water and hydrogen peroxide.
To pre-treat blood stains on your colored lab coats, first run the stain under cold water for a few minutes. This removes most of the blood on top that has set in. Then with paper towels or a clean rag blot peroxide over the blood stain. Repetition of this action might be required depending on the size and severity of the stain. Then once the blood has lightened, you can use oxygenated detergent to wash your colored lab coats.
Despite hydrogen peroxide being a good dissolver of blood, you have to make sure to test it first. Often hydrogen peroxide can cut colors off of fabrics. By testing a little on the inside of the hem you can be sure that it is safe to use.
Protein Stains
Stains you get on your colored lab coat due to vomit, feces or urine are considered protein stains. In order to pre-treat protein stains, first you should remove the excess protein with a scrape or tongue depressors. Then you soak your colored lab coat in a bath of cold water. This water is mixed with a dilution of ¼ cup of enzyme detergent and baking soda. You let it soak for an hour, then discard the dirty water and launder as usual. The baking soda reduces odor and freshens the colored lab coats before the wash.
Food Stains
Some of the easiest stains to pre-treat are oil-based food stains. They can be taken care of by regular liquid or spray stain remover. Simply follow the instructions on the container and wash your colored lab coat as usual.
The Washing Checklist
After you have pre-treated your colored lab coat you need to prepare it for the wash. Therefore, in order to keep the wear and tear of laundering to a minimum, you need to follow certain rules. They are:
- Always unbutton and unzip your lab coat before washing, to avoid any tangles, ripping or stretching.
- You should always empty the pockets of your colored lab coat before washing. This is to ensure there's nothing in your pockets that can tear the fabric or destroy its color while washing.
- In order to keep the color of your colored lab coats intact, pre-treat the stains. This is so you don't have to wash your colored lab coats in hot water, which can ruin its color.
- For the best looking and color-fast colored lab coat, always remember to NEVER use chlorine bleach to wash your colored lab coats. Not only does chlorine bleach cut the color of your colored lab coats; it also damages the fabric. Chlorine bleach can also weaken the fire resistant qualities of you colored lab coats. This means that harmful chemicals can seep through and hurt you.
- Always follow the care instructions on your colored lab coat to maintain its integrity, and color.
Drying Properly
As most colored lab coats are mixed with cotton, you have to be very careful when you dry them. Putting your colored lab coats through the hot dryer might cause it to shrink and become tight on you. This can restrict your movement and hinder your job performance. Therefore, it's always a better option to hang your color lab coat to dry in a well-lit and airy room. However, if you do need to run your colored lab coats through the dryer, it's recommended you set it on low heat or tumble dry. This minimizes the shrinkage and dryer damage to your colored lab coat.
Enjoy Your Washed And Sanitized Colored Lab Coat
Your lab coat are your professional identification card and must always be revered and respected. By taking care of it well, you can make your colored lab cat last for a long time. This ensures you get familiar comfort and protection while you work.
Your colored lab coat is also a stylish accessory to your daily ensemble. This is why maintaining its color is imperative for your continuing class, allure and professionalism.