In a healthcare or dental setting, cleanliness isn’t just about appearance—it’s about protection, compliance, and trust. New research shows that many healthcare professionals may be unknowingly putting themselves, their patients, and their reputations at risk by laundering scrubs, lab coats, and hygienists’ uniforms at home.
A recent peer-reviewed study led by Professor Katie Laird and published in PLOS One confirms what the healthcare textile industry has long cautioned: home washing machines are not effective at disinfecting healthcare garments. In fact, many of them allow harmful, even antibiotic-resistant bacteria to survive.
So what’s the solution? At Crown Uniform & Linen, we believe protecting your people starts with certified, professional laundering—not a load of laundry at home. Why? Home washing fails to disinfect.
The study, highlighted by the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA), tested six models of domestic washing machines using fabric swatches contaminated with bacteria commonly found in healthcare settings. The results were eye-opening:
- 50% of machines did not disinfect clothing during a rapid cycle.
- 1 in 3 failed even during a standard wash cycle.
- Biofilm samples from the machines contained potentially pathogenic bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes.
These findings confirm that home washing cannot be relied upon to meet the infection prevention standards required in modern healthcare and dental practices.
The Crown Difference: Hygienically Clean, Professionally Delivered
Crown Uniform & Linen provides Hygienically Clean certified laundering for healthcare apparel, scrubs, white coats, and dental apparel. Our processes are specifically designed to protect your team and your patients—something home or on-premise laundry simply cannot match.
Here’s how we do it:
- Certified Clean: We follow TRSA’s Hygienically Clean Healthcare standards, using high-temperature washing, proper chemical dosing, and pathogen-removal validation.
- Separation and Safety: Clean and soiled items are never cross-contaminated. Our sealed delivery system ensures safe transport.
- Traceability: Our RFID and barcoding system guarantees every garment is tracked from pickup to delivery.
- Comfort + Compliance: We offer breathable, well-fitted uniforms that don’t compromise on clinical protection or professional image.
Tailored for Dental Practices
Whether you’re managing a solo dental office or a multi-location DSO, we understand your specific needs:
- Hygienists’ Uniforms – Scrubs and jackets exposed to aerosolized fluids need reliable disinfection.
- Front Office Apparel – Clean, branded polos or tunics support a strong first impression.
- White Coats & Lab Coats – Often worn by providers during both patient care and procedural work, these must be both presentable and pathogen-free.
Crown helps dental professionals project cleanliness and credibility while ensuring OSHA, CDC, and TRSA compliance is built right into the program.
Compliance, Safety & Patient Trust—All in One Program
As the TRSA warns, relying on employees to take apparel home can introduce infection control risks, reduce consistency in appearance, and even increase costs over time due to lost or damaged garments. More importantly, patients are paying attention. In today’s world, hygiene is your brand—and what your team wears speaks volumes.
Ready to Ditch the Washer?
Let Crown take laundry—and the risk—off your plate. Our healthcare apparel rental program provides:
- Weekly pickup and delivery
- Fit and garment management
- Guaranteed garment hygiene
- A professional, polished image for your team
Schedule a free hygiene consultation today, and discover why more healthcare and dental providers are choosing Crown.
Don’t settle for clean. Choose Hygienically Clean—with Crown