Medical Scrub Fabric Blends – the Medical Professionals Best Choice

Medical scrubs are primarily made from cotton, polyester, spandex and rayon. So which should you buy? If youre looking for medical scrubs with the best fit and comfort, the answer is: None of the above. Or, all of the above. It is likely that the best performing scrub will be a blend of different types of fiber.

Why are medical scrubs made with different fabric blends?

Each fabric used to manufacture medical scrubs has benefits and disadvantages. So, textile manufacturers have developed blends so that nurses and other medical professionals get to experience the best qualities from several fabrics. If you look at the label on your favorite scrub top, you may see something like 65% cotton/35% polyester or 80% polyester/20% cotton. Each blend has different characteristics and is best for certain situations. Some provide more durability, while others keep you cooler. Next we examine some of the most popular blends in today's medical scrubs.

Polyester/Cotton Blends in Medical Scrubs

Perhaps the most popular blend of fabrics on the market today are polyester/cotton blends. These blends make better medical scrubs for several reasons. Polyester is very durable, cotton is not. Cotton absorbs moisture very well. Polyester does not. Polyester is more stretchy than cotton, giving it some comfort advantages. And polyester is cheaper than cotton. So, some blend of the two makes a scrub top or scrub bottom much more comfortable and durable than a garment made of either 100% cotton or 100% polyester. Manufacturers are constantly experimenting with different blend in order to get the best from each fabric, while minimizing the disadvantages. So, while theres no right answer, you may be more comfortable with one blend while someone else prefers another. For instance, someone who does not sweat very much may not need as much cotton and its moisture absorbing ability. Someone who is gets very dirty and is hard on their medical scrubs may do better with a higher percentage of polyester. The best advice is to try out different blends and see which you like.

Fabric Blends with Rayon and Spandex

Polyester and cotton provide the building blocks of medical scrubs material. Manufacturers are beginning to mix in small amounts of rayon and spandex to pull through some of the extreme comfort characteristics of these man-made fibers. Spandex is more expensive than rayon or cotton, but adding a little gives medical scrubs a much enhanced feel, especially when wearing them for extended hours. Rayon, provides some of the benefits of both polyester and cotton, however, when blended, it produces a smooth, soft scrub which many feel rivals cotton or poly/cotton blends. And since rayon is cheaper than cotton, it helps the pocketbook as well. Our favorite blend is 77% polyester/ 23% Rayon and is featured in the Greys Anatomy scrubs product line. This super-soft blend is unparalleled. Scrubs have never been so comfortable.

And the Winner is...

You! With all of the advances in the textile industry, medical scrubs have never been more comfortable. Whether you like the moisture wicking of cotton, or the stretchy feeling of spandex, there is a blend on the market which will have you feeling and looking good.

For a great selection of stylish, comfortable scrubs, check out our selection of medical scrubs.

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