Wrinkles happen. No one wants to start a shift looking rumpled, but when your days run long and your mornings move fast, ironing scrubs isn’t always realistic. The good news is you don’t need an iron to look put together. There are easy, quick and fabric-safe ways to smooth out your scrubs that fit the real pace of life on the care team.
If you’ve ever wondered whether ironing helps or hurts, our can you iron scrubs guide offers a simple breakdown of how heat affects different fabrics and when it’s worth reaching for an iron.
In this guide we’ll walk through wrinkle-fighting hacks, smart laundry habits and wrinkle-resistant scrub styles from our Achieve and Atmos collections that help you stay shift-ready with less stress.
Why Scrubs Get Wrinkled in the First Place
Scrubs wrinkle for a few reasons, most of which come down to fabric and how they’re washed, dried and stored between shifts. Once you understand what’s behind those creases, it becomes easier to keep your scrubs looking polished with less effort.
Fabric Types and Their Wrinkle Behavior
Not all scrubs wrinkle the same way, and a lot of that comes down to the fabric. Many Cherokee styles use easy-care polyester blends that stay smooth, hold their shape and come out of the dryer ready to wear. These blends naturally resist creasing, which makes them a great fit if you want scrubs that don’t add extra steps to your routine.
Stretch-forward collections like Achieve use athletic, movement-ready fabrics that recover quickly after washing. That built-in stretch helps soften lighter creases and keeps deeper wrinkles from settling in during long shifts.
Performance-driven collections like FORM and Infinity Pursuit lean into nylon-spandex blends. Nylon has a naturally sleek feel and resists set-in wrinkles, so these scrubs tend to keep a polished look even after hours of wear. The added stretch gives the fabric a smooth drape and helps it bounce back well between washes.
Some styles include a small touch of cotton for softness, especially in more classic silhouettes. Cotton can crease more easily, but when it’s blended with performance fibers it still smooths out with the right care. And knit-based performance fabrics—found in several of our most movement-friendly collections—tend to stay smooth throughout the day because they’re naturally less prone to hard-set wrinkles.
Washing and Drying Habits That Cause Creasing
Even high-quality, wrinkle-resistant scrubs can crease if the laundry routine works against them. A few common habits—like overloading the washer, running high heat or letting scrubs sit in the dryer after the cycle ends—can make wrinkles more noticeable.
The simplest way to prevent them is to pull your scrubs out promptly, give them a quick shake and hang or fold them while they’re still warm. Small steps like these go a long way toward keeping your scrubs looking smooth and ready for the next shift.
5 Fast Ways to De-Wrinkle Scrubs—No Iron Required
When you’re short on time, you don’t need a full ironing session to make your scrubs look shift-ready. These quick, fabric-safe tricks help relax creases fast and work well with most performance blends.
1. Pro Tip: Use a Fabric Steamer
A handheld steamer is one of the easiest ways to smooth scrubs without damaging performance fabrics. A few passes are usually enough to soften wrinkles and refresh the fabric, and it’s gentle on stretch blends that don’t love direct heat. Many healthcare pros keep one by the door for last-minute touch-ups.
2. Toss in a Damp Towel and Re-Dry
If your scrubs come out of the dryer looking a little crushed, toss them back in with a damp towel for about ten minutes. The steam created inside the drum helps relax the fibers and releases wrinkles quickly.
3. Hang Scrubs in a Steamy Bathroom
This low-effort method works better than most people expect. Hang your scrubs in the bathroom while you shower, and let the steam naturally soften the fabric. It’s an easy option when you’re getting ready for an early shift and don’t have extra time to spare.
4. Use a Wrinkle-Release Spray
Wrinkle-release sprays can be a lifesaver on rushed mornings. Spray lightly, smooth the fabric with your hands and hang the scrubs to dry for a few minutes. Most fabric blends handle these sprays well, but spot-test if it’s your first time using one.
5. Flat Press with a Damp Towel
If you don’t own a steamer, this simple method still works. Lay your scrubs on a flat surface, place a damp towel over the wrinkled areas and press down with your hands. Let everything air dry. It’s not a substitute for ironing, but it gets the job done when you need a quick fix.
Best Practices to Keep Scrubs Wrinkle-Free
A few small habits can make a big difference in how your scrubs look and feel day after day. These easy adjustments help protect the fabric, prevent deep creasing and keep your scrubs looking polished between washes.
Wash Settings That Protect Fabric Structure
Gentle or permanent-press cycles are your best bet for keeping scrubs smooth. Washing in cold water helps reduce friction, and turning your scrubs inside out protects the outer surface from wear. It’s a simple switch that helps performance fabrics hold their shape longer.
Learn more pro tips in our guide on how to wash scrubs.
Drying Tips to Avoid Set-In Wrinkles
Low heat is ideal for most scrub fabrics, especially blends with stretch. If you use the dryer, pull your scrubs out as soon as the cycle ends and smooth them by hand or hang them while they’re still warm. Leaving them in too long is one of the quickest ways to set hard creases.
Storage Strategies That Make a Difference
How you store your scrubs matters too. Hanging tops and pants helps them keep a clean drape, while folding works well if they’re stacked neatly. Try to avoid cramming scrubs into gym bags, lockers or laundry piles where they can get crushed between shifts.
Wrinkle-Resistant Style Spotlight: Achieve & Atmos Scrubs
Some scrubs are simply easier to care for than others. Our Achieve and Atmos collections are both designed with performance fabrics that help minimize creasing, making them great options if you want scrubs that stay smooth with less effort.
Achieve uses an athletic, stretch-forward fabric that recovers quickly after washing. The built-in flexibility helps the material resist deep wrinkles and keeps it looking polished through long shifts.
Atmos leans into breathable, easy-care performance blends that hold their shape well day after day. These fabrics are designed to stay smooth straight from the dryer and continue looking crisp, even when the shift gets busy.
What these collections have in common:
- Performance fabrics that naturally resist creasing
- Stretch or flexibility that helps smooth out lighter wrinkles
- Breathable comfort you can wear all day
- Shape retention wash after wash
When to Retire Wrinkled-Out Scrubs
Even well-made scrubs have a limit. Over time, repeated washing, heavy rotation and long shifts can break down the fibers, making wrinkles harder to smooth out no matter what you try. If your scrubs are starting to show deep creasing, losing their stretch or looking noticeably worn, it may be a sign they’re ready for replacement.
You know your scrubs best. When they stop feeling supportive, polished or comfortable enough for your workday, investing in a fresh pair can make a real difference.
Wrinkles happen, but they don’t have to slow you down. With a few smart laundry habits, quick de-wrinkling tricks and easy-care fabrics, you can keep your scrubs looking polished without adding more to your routine. Whether you reach for stretchy performance styles or classic easy-care blends, there are plenty of ways to stay comfortable and shift-ready. You can explore more options in our women’s scrubs and men’s scrubs collections to find the fits that work best for you.
From steamers to fabric know-how, you’ve got options. Now go do what you do best—wrinkle-free.