Uniforms should be washed in cold water. Check the ingredients of your laundry detergent before washing. You should avoid detergents that have a chlorine base. The chlorine will eventually create a gray tint in the fabric of the garment. You should not use bleach on your professional garments. The bleach will counter act with the stain finishes that have been applied to your uniforms.  If your uniform has colored trim, braid or embroidery, to prolong the professional appearance of the garment, wash for the first time with a sprinkle of salt to help set the color or soak in vinegar before the first wash. We recommend 1/2 cup of vinegar if the machine is 1/2 full, 1 cup if it is a full washer. Let the garments soak for approximately 30 minutes, drain the water, and wash again as instructed above. Stains on your uniforms should be treated immediately with products such as Shout, Zout, or Oxyclean. Check the garment after washing to make sure the stain was removed. Placing the garment with the stain in the dryer will set in the stain.

Drying Garments. A very short period of time in heat will extend the life of the garment. Shake the uniform and hang to dry for the best appearance of the fabric. The heat in the dryer will break down the weave of the fabric.

Embroidery. If your garment has embroidery, please do not trim any excess threads from the inside of the garment (the back of the embroidery). These threads are part of the knots that hold the embroidery in place. Any alteration of the back of the embroidery could allow the threads to unravel.

Shoes. All professionals should invest in a leather shoe. They should be comfortable, easily cleaned, and fit properly to your foot. Genuine leather needs to be polished on a regular basis. Leather should be kept clean and polished with an oil base polish. The oil base will keep the leather conditioned. Exposure to water over a period of time will cause the shoes to crack and peel. It is recommended that you polish your shoes each time you are exposed to water or fluids.  Remember to wash your shoestrings when cleaning your duty shoes. Attach the shoestrings to a cloth with a safety pin for best results.

Accessories. Keep your professional tools, accessories, clean just as you would your uniforms. Stethoscopes should be cleaned on a regular basis with ammonia or alcohol.  It is wise to keep alcohol prep pads handy to clean the chest piece of the stethoscope as necessary. We strongly recommend a nylon cuff blood pressure cuff. You can clean the cuff with the alcohol pads, just as you do your stethoscope and your bandage scissors.

Pocket Organizer- Professionals might want to consider purchasing a nylon pocket organizer to prolong the life of their garments. By placing ink pens and scissors in this product, you will be able to help prevent ink stains in your top or coat pocket. As well as help eliminate pushing the bandage scissors or hemostats through the seam of the pocket.