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Why 100% Cotton Scrubs Are Better Than Poly-Cotton and Fabric Blends

100% cotton scrubs offer superior comfort, breathability and hygiene compared to poly-cotton and blended fabrics. For healthcare, veterinary and labor

At Chameleon Scrubs, fabric choice is never an afterthought. We design and manufacture 100% cotton scrubs because we believe healthcare professionals deserve uniforms that prioritise comfort, breathability, skin health, and long-term wear — not just convenience for mass production.

In a market full of poly-cotton and synthetic blends, it’s important to understand why cotton remains the gold standard for medical and veterinary scrubs.

Breathability Matters in Healthcare Environments

Healthcare shifts are long, demanding, and often physically intense. 100% cotton is naturally breathable, allowing air to circulate and heat to escape. This helps regulate body temperature throughout long shifts in wards, theatres, labs, and clinics.

Poly-cotton and synthetic blends trap heat far more easily. While they may feel lighter initially, they often lead to overheating, discomfort, and excessive perspiration — especially under PPE.

Cotton works with your body, not against it.

Better for Skin Health and Sensitivity

Healthcare professionals wash their scrubs frequently and at high temperatures. Cotton fibres are gentle on the skin and significantly reduce the risk of irritation, itching, or allergic reactions.

Poly-cotton fabrics contain synthetic fibres that can:

Cause friction and static

Trap sweat against the skin
Exacerbate eczema or sensitive skin conditions

For staff wearing scrubs 10–14 hours a day, skin comfort isn’t a luxury — it’s essential.

Superior Hygiene and Wash Performance

Cotton scrubs perform exceptionally well in high-temperature laundering, which is critical for infection control.

Key advantages of cotton:

Withstands repeated hot washes

Maintains fabric integrity over time
Allows thorough cleaning and rinsing
Less prone to retaining odours

Synthetic blends can degrade faster, hold onto smells, and lose shape or comfort after repeated industrial washing.

Comfort Over Long Shifts

Cotton scrubs are:

Softer against the skin

Less restrictive
More forgiving in movement

While poly-cotton blends are often marketed as “easy care,” this typically benefits the manufacturer — not the wearer. Comfort, flexibility, and breathability matter far more during a 12-hour shift than slightly reduced ironing time.

Sustainability and Responsible Fabric Choice

Cotton is a natural, biodegradable fibre, whereas polyester is derived from plastics. As healthcare organisations increasingly focus on sustainability and responsible procurement, fabric choice matters.

Choosing cotton scrubs:

Reduces reliance on synthetic fibres

Supports natural materials
Aligns with long-term environmental responsibility

Why Chameleon Scrubs Uses 100% Cotton Only

At Chameleon Scrubs, we made a conscious decision to avoid poly-cotton and mixed fabrics altogether. Our scrubs are designed for real healthcare professionals — not fast-fashion production lines.

We choose 100% cotton because it delivers:

Proven comfort

Excellent breathability
Skin-friendly wear
Reliable performance in clinical laundering
Long-term durability

Our focus is simple: scrubs that feel better, wear better, and work harder for the people who wear them.

Final Thoughts

Not all scrubs are created equal. While poly-cotton and blended fabrics may offer short-term convenience, 100% cotton scrubs provide unmatched comfort, hygiene, and performance where it matters most.

For healthcare professionals who spend long hours caring for others, the fabric they wear should care for them too

24/12/2025

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Chameleon Scrubs would like to thank all NHS and Healthcare workers for their hard work, and dedication shown during this unprecedented time. We can’t start to understand the pressure you are all under. As a token of our thanks we are offering 10% discount on all items across our site.

Please use discount code NHS10 when you checkout.

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