How to Clean a Smock

Smocks present a professional image but are often hard to clean.

Wearing a smock protects your clothing if you work in an environment where you are exposed to oil, blood or food stains but smocks can be just as hard to clean as street clothes. Tough stains become permanent if they are not removed before the smock is washed and dried. The secret to cleaning a work smock lies in selecting the right stain remover and detergent and then allowing the cleaning solutions enough time to soak in and remove the stains.

Things You'll Need

• Stain remover spray or stick
• Clean rags or paper towels
• Heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent
• Washing machine
• Clothes dryer or clothesline

Instructions

1. 

   Smocks used for medical workers require special care.

   Treat oil-based spots and ink stains by applying stain remover directly on top of the spots. Let it soak in for five minutes. Place a folded paper towel or clean rag on the table and set the stained area of the garment directly on top of it. Take another clean rag and wipe the spot, working inward from the outer edge. If the stain is still visible when you get to the center of the spot, replace the folded paper towel underneath and repeat.

2. 

   Nurse in work smock

   Treat non-oily stains by pouring liquid laundry detergent directly on stains and rubbing it in. Put the garment in the washer and let the detergent soak into the fabric for five minutes before starting the washing machine.

3. 

   Scrub-style work smock

   Set the washing machine on the cold-water setting if you are removing a protein stain from your smock, like blood or milk. If you are removing a tannin stain, like coffee or berry juice, set the washer on the hot-water setting. Let the washer fill and allow the smock to soak in the detergent and water for an hour.

4. 

   Make sure stains are gone before drying work smocks.

   Allow the washing machine to run through the wash and rinse cycle. Check the smock to see if the stains have been removed. If the stains are still visible, treat the stain with detergent again and repeat the laundering process.

5. 

   Dry a smock in the dryer or on a clothesline.

   Dry the smock by either putting it in the dryer on medium heat or hanging it on a clothesline.

References

• Quick and Easy Stain Removal
• Getting Clothes Clean