How Should I Wash My Scrub Cap? NHS Rules, Temperature and Frequency
Wash your scrub cap after every shift (or after every case in high-risk areas like operating theatres and ICUs), using detergent at a minimum of 60°C for at least 10 minutes. NHS England guidance confirms this removes almost all micro-organisms, and that home washing is as effective as commercial laundering.
Last updated: 10 June 2026
What the NHS rules say about temperature
NHS England's uniforms and workwear guidance (updated 2 April 2020), based on 2007 research, sets out exactly what different wash temperatures achieve:
| Temperature | What it removes | Time required |
|---|---|---|
| 30°C with detergent | Most Gram-positive micro-organisms, including MRSA | Standard cycle |
| 60°C with detergent | Almost all micro-organisms — in tests only 0.1% of any Clostridioides difficile spores remained, a level microbiologists say is not a cause for concern | 10 minutes minimum |
The guidance also confirms there is little effective difference between domestic and commercial laundering when it comes to removing micro-organisms. In other words, a 60°C wash at home meets the same hygiene standard as a hospital laundry, provided the temperature and time are right.
How often should you wash your scrub cap?
Frequency depends on your environment:
- High-risk areas (operating theatres, intensive care, infectious-disease wards, emergency departments) — wash after every shift or case.
- Moderate-risk areas (general medical wards, outpatient clinics, rehabilitation units) — wash every 2–3 shifts.
- Lower-risk areas (administrative roles, non-patient-contact areas, research facilities) — wash weekly as a minimum.
To make this practical, keep at least three to four caps in rotation so a clean one is always ready, and carry used caps home in a dedicated laundry bag to keep them separate from clean ones.
Step-by-step: laundering your scrub cap at home
- After your shift, place the used cap straight into a dedicated laundry bag — keep it apart from clean caps to avoid cross-contamination.
- Wash at a minimum of 60°C with a standard laundry detergent (powder or liquid). A fast cycle of around 10–15 minutes at 60°C is enough to remove almost all micro-organisms.
- For lower-risk wear or a simple refresh, a cooler wash with detergent still removes most Gram-positive bacteria including MRSA.
- Rinse thoroughly — the volume of water during rinsing carries away loosened soil and micro-organisms.
Tumble-drying and ironing rules
Medicus caps are crease-resistant, but they can be tumble-dried and ironed for a neat finish. Because they are 100% cotton, they also stand up to professional laundering: our caps withstand drying temperatures of over 180°C, making them suitable for commercial cleaning as well as home care. Proper washing and drying delivers around a 99.9% reduction in bacterial colonies while helping the cap keep its shape and colour. For the full step-by-step, see our care guide.
How long should a cloth scrub cap last?
On average a Medicus scrub cap lasts between 3 and 5 years, and many customers report even longer with proper care. Reinforced stitching and tightly woven 100% cotton are built to survive frequent 60°C washing. Looking after the fabric — washing at the right temperature and drying gently — is what keeps a single cap serving you for years instead of months, which is also what makes reusables so much lower-waste than disposables.
UK tax relief on washing your scrub cap
If you launder your own uniform at home and your employer does not provide a laundering service you use, you may be able to claim UK tax relief on the cost. HMRC allows a flat-rate expense, so you do not need to keep receipts:
- NHS, private hospital, local-authority and independent-care health and care staff — including nurses, midwives, healthcare assistants, radiographers and therapists — can claim a flat-rate expense of £125 per tax year.
- If your industry and job are not listed by HMRC, you can claim a default flat rate of £60.
- As an illustration, claiming the £125 flat rate at a 20% tax rate means you pay roughly £25 less tax.
You can check eligibility and claim through HMRC's online service at gov.uk. If your employer contributes to your laundry costs, subtract their contribution, and always confirm your position with a tax professional.
The short version
- Wash after every shift in high-risk areas; less often in lower-risk roles.
- 60°C for 10 minutes removes almost all micro-organisms; home washing matches commercial laundering.
- Tumble-dry and iron as needed; 100% cotton caps tolerate over 180°C for professional cleaning.
- Expect 3–5 years of life with proper care, and check whether you qualify for HMRC laundry tax relief.
More help
For full washing, drying and storage instructions, see our scrub cap care guide. Common questions are answered in the scrub cap FAQs. Kitting out a department? Try a bulk-order sample box or read the bulk and wholesale ordering guide.
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