DO WE NEED TO WASH AT 60C?
A question we get asked a lot here at Grahame Gardner is ‘How do I best look after my uniform?’ and, with 114 years of experience providing long lasting uniforms and workwear up and down the country, we are just the people to ask! Here, we take a look at the importance of health professionals having the right workwear, some top tips for getting the most out of your uniform, whilst maintaining safety at all times, and explain why we are introducing a new laundry product to our range.
Working in a healthcare setting demands a uniform that’s reliable, comfortable and capable of working as hard as each member of staff does. We understand when our customers tell us that looking professional helps to reassure and comfort patients who are vulnerable, unwell, or in need of assistance. Here at Grahame Gardner, we provide an extensive range of smart, hard-wearing and modern uniforms that are up to the challenge, providing healthcare professionals and their patients with that all-important extra peace of mind.
The importance of uniforms in a healthcare setting
The NHS Guidelines are clear when it comes to the best practice for uniforms and workwear. Firstly, patient safety is imperative as the clothes that staff wear should facilitate good care practices and minimise any risks to patients. Secondly, it’s about public confidence which means that patients and the wider public should have complete confidence in the cleanliness and hygiene of their healthcare environment. The way staff dress is an important influence on people’s overall perceptions of the standards of care they experience. And finally, staff should feel comfortable in their uniforms. Feeling at ease in what you are wearing can help ensure you work to the very best of your ability.
So, we know healthcare staff need access to high quality workwear for very important reasons but how do you best look after it at home and ensure the garments’ longevity?
The big question… do I NEED to wash at 60oC?
There are two options when it comes to washing your uniforms that comply with NHS guidelines, advice from other professional bodies and infection controls procedures. They are:
• To wash uniforms at 60° C for 10 minutes which will remove 99.9% of micro-organisms that are present
• To wash the uniforms at any temperature between 20°C and 60°C with a suitable antibacterial agent capable of killing
99.9% of bacteria even at 20°C.
Many of our uniforms can be washed commercially or domestically at 60°C. However, for those garments where the higher temperature wash is not advised, or for customers who worry about the environmental impact of washing so often at 60°C and want to wash at a lower temperature, we are recommending the use of an antibacterial cleanser that we are excited to announce has just been added to our product range.
The future is Cleanser
Using our Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser means you can wash your uniform at a lower temperature safe in the knowledge that the product will have the same effect on any bacteria present as when washing at 60°C. Regularly washing workwear at a lower temperature should also give an extension to the life of the uniform as it means there is less fabric degradation.
The cleanser kills 99.9% of bacteria, works even in cold washes, boasts a 12hour freshness and is dermatologically tested and non-bio. Available from us in a 1.5L bottle, you just add two capfuls to the softener drawer of your washing machine alongside your normal detergent. It’s as simple as that!
Knowing how best to care for your uniform not only helps keep you and your patients to stay as safe as possible when it comes to infection control, it also helps you feel comfortable on those long shifts as well as saving you money in the long run as you get more life out of your workwear. And throw in the clear environmental benefits, too and it really is win, win!