Scrubs Guide: Fit, Fabric & Washing Tips

Healthcare Scrubs: From Surgical Wear to Professional Uniform

Useful features. Practical designs. Scrubs got smarter.

Healthcare scrubs have come a long way, from simple cotton theatre wear to purpose-designed uniforms. Today’s scrubs, the tops and trousers healthcare professionals wear, prioritise comfort, function, and easy care. Here’s how they evolved, what to look for, and how Mirabella Workwear’s Lister and Athena scrubs fit the brief.

A Short History of Scrubs

Scrubs are healthcare workwear, typically a top and trousers designed for comfort, easy movement and simple laundering. The name comes from “scrubbing in”: the hand-and-arm cleaning medical staff do before surgery. Once associated mainly with operating theatres, scrubs gradually became standard uniform across hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings.

Early scrubs were usually cotton: washable and functional, but prone to creasing. Modern designs add better cuts, useful pockets, and hard-wearing, easy-care fabrics that resist creasing and withstand frequent washing.

Lister and Athena Scrubs: Features at a Glance

Start with your top, then pair it with Lister trousers. With 10 colours in the Lister range and 6 in Athena, you can easily build a set that suits your role.

The Lister Unisex and Athena Women’s scrub tops are lightweight (140 gsm) V-neck designs in a durable 65% polyester / 35% cotton blend. They’re machine washable and easy to care for. Lister scrub trousers have a 31.6-inch (around 80 cm) inseam.

Browse the full Healthcare Scrubs Collection.

Scrub Care and Infection Prevention Tips

International Infection Prevention Week is a good reminder to keep up simple habits all year round:

• Start every shift in clean scrubs. Follow your workplace laundering guidance and the garment care label. Lister and Athena can be machine washed at 60°C, drip-dried, and lightly ironed if needed.
• Keep a spare set. Lister trousers pair with both Lister and Athena tops, so you can quickly assemble a second set for unexpected spills.
• Keep essentials close. The Lister top has a chest pocket and two hip pockets, and the trousers add a back pocket, so pens, notes, a thermometer or a medical torch stay within reach.
• Follow your infection control policy. Check your employer’s uniform and laundering rules before you order.
• Choose the right fit. Lister is a loose unisex fit, and Athena is a fitted women’s style, so you can pick what suits your role and your shift.

Complete Your Healthcare Uniform

Mirabella goes beyond scrubs. Explore the Healthcare collection for medical tunics, women’s healthcare trousers and tabards with useful details for everyday care duties.

Healthcare Tunics

Nightingale, Kingfisher, and Cavell offer practical features, useful pockets, and easy-care fabrics in a range of colours to suit different roles.

Healthcare Tabards

Hygea is a standard tabard with adjustable side tabs, rust-resistant press studs and an open front pocket. Cura has the same features but is designed for drug rounds, with an embroidered message suited to medical and care settings.

Healthcare Trousers

Diona women’s trousers combine durable polyester-cotton fabric with a design built for comfort and mobility on the job.

Healthcare Scrubs FAQs

How often and at what temperature should scrubs be washed?

Wash scrubs after every shift using detergent, following your workplace guidance and the care label. Washing at 60°C is widely recommended for uniforms because it helps reduce micro-organisms, provided the fabric tolerates it. Lister and Athena can be machine washed at 60°C.

Do scrubs need ironing?

Not much. Drip dry, then iron lightly at a medium temperature if needed. Poly-cotton creases less than pure cotton, so Lister and Athena stay neat with little effort.

Should I wear my scrubs outside of work?

Where possible, change at work and travel in your own clothes. Check your employer’s policy, as some require you to change uniforms on site.

Is a loose or fitted scrub top better for clinical work?

For long shifts, a looser cut is usually more comfortable. It gives you freedom to reach, bend and lift, lets air move on a busy ward, and fits over a base layer. A fitted cut suits those who prefer a more flattering, stylish look which accentuates their curves.

What fabric weight is best for scrubs?

Lighter fabric stays cooler on long shifts, while very heavy fabric can feel hot. At 140 gsm, Lister and Athena are lightweight, and the 65% polyester / 35% cotton blend keeps them durable.

Why are scrubs made from poly-cotton instead of 100% cotton?

Poly-cotton keeps cotton comfort while adding polyester strength. Blends are more durable, crease less, dry faster and hold their size and colour better through frequent hot washes. Lister and Athena use a 65% polyester / 35% cotton blend, so you get these benefits with a soft, breathable feel.

What pockets should scrubs have?

Enough accessible pockets to carry everyday essentials, such as pens, gloves and small work tools, without restricting movement. The ideal layout depends on your role and workplace requirements.

Do I need more than one set of scrubs?

At least two, so you always have a clean set ready and a spare for unexpected spills. Matching colours across tops and trousers makes a second set easy to put together.

Do unisex scrubs work for a whole team?

They can. A unisex cut and wide size range make ordering simpler for mixed teams. Lister is available in XS to 4XL and 10 colours, with Athena as the fitted alternative in 6 colours.

Ready to find the right scrubs for your shift?

Shop Mirabella’s Healthcare Scrubs collection