Fashion Industry Forum

When it comes to scrub fabrics, you have two main options. On the one hand, you have cotton scrubs, and on the other hand, you have synthetic or polyester scrubs. Of course, there are blends and other synthetic fabrics to look out for, but to understand the core differences between these fabric types, we're looking at 100% cotton scrubs and 100% polyester scrubs.

Believe us, we are the first to admit that reading blogs about medical uniform fabric types is the lowest on the entertainment scale you can go, but hopefully the details we have gathered for you will help you decide which scrub fabric you want to buy.

Cotton Scrub Fabrics

What is cotton? This might be a good place to start. Cotton is a natural fiber, made from the cellulose produced by the cotton plant. This is not surprising! The fluffy white fibers are harvested from the cotton plant, spun into yarn, and then woven into the fabric we all know.

There are different types of cotton with varying characteristics, textures and prices. It's good to know this because even if you have a super comfortable organic pima cotton t-shirt in your closet, it doesn't mean that every cotton garment will feel that way.   

Having said that, cotton is generally very light and breathable. It's no wonder that cotton is one of the most common fabrics used to make clothing. However, as a natural fiber, it does have its limitations, especially when used to make scrubs. As you may know, scrubs can take a lot of beating. The disadvantages of cotton scrubs can become apparent during long shift work, when regular and consistent washing is required due to the amount of movement.

Disadvantages of Cotton

From a scrubbing perspective, cotton has 3 main disadvantages.

Cotton's natural fibers wear out more quickly than synthetic fibers, which inevitably means holes in your scrubs. This becomes even more apparent if you wear the same cotton scrubs day in and day out. Simply put, cotton scrubs aren't as durable as we'd like them to be.

Cotton shrinks. Special care needs to be taken when washing and drying cotton scrubs so that they fit as well as they did when they were purchased. It looks like you are wearing your child's clothes, which is not a good sign.

Cotton fabrics are absorbent. This means those accidental spills take longer to dry and puddle stains are sure to appear in the future.

Polyester Conductive Fabric

Polyester Scrubbing Cloths

Cotton and polyester aren't much different anymore. Polyester is a man-made synthetic fiber, so while cotton is grown in a field, polyester is created in a lab. Polyester particles are melted and forced through small holes and then stretched. The extruded fibers cool and solidify into a very strong fiber. The process then looks similar to cotton as the fibers are spun out and then woven into the polyester fabric we all know.

Polyester was once criticized for its unnatural feel on the skin, but the technology has come a long way since polyester was created in 1946. Today, you can find high-end, high-performance polyester fabrics with an amazing feel and sensation that rivals some of the best natural fabrics.

Benefits of polyester

Polyester has 3 main advantages over cotton fabrics for a better scrubbing experience.

Polyester is a very strong fiber. Polyester is a very strong fiber that stands up to a lot of washing, and it also has high color retention compared to cotton. This means that your scrubs last longer .

Unlike cotton, polyester is hydrophobic, which means it dries quickly and wicks moisture away from your skin, leaving you feeling dry and cool.

Polyester fabric is easier to care for. It is naturally wrinkle resistant and will not shrink. Look professional with polyester scrubs.

Just like your favorite sports gear or professional athlete's uniform, scrubs need to be able to stand up to the extra abuse that your regular T-shirt never sees. That's why we believe scrubs made from tough fibers with high performance are a really good choice.

The source is from here.