How do I wash my lab coat?
I have a lab coat I used in university for my chemistry labs. I'm looking to sell it, but I want to wash it first, so here's my question. Can a lab coat be washed in the washing machine? We didn't use any crazy chemicals, and I didn't spill anything on myself, but I'm afraid that the presence of chemicals could cause something bad while it is in the washing machine or cause a fire/explosion hazard. Would it be safe?
Any input would be great! Thanks in advance!
that's actually a very insightful question that students usually don't think about.
In industry, and I'm speaking from experience (I've managed labs), most companies have rules that no one is allowed to bring lab coats home to wash. Companies usually use an outside service for washing lab coats and uniforms. The lab coats are washed in a seperate process to avoid contamination. And the contamination can happen both ways. Many times you don't want to introduce lab chemicals into the environment and many times you don't want the detergents and surfactants in the lab.
Now, you could probably get away with taking your lab coat to a laundry mat and washing it by itself in an industrial washing machine with something like woolite. I would not recommend heavy duty detergents. Nor dryer sheets. Nor would I recommend doing this at home nor at a dry cleaners. You don't any chemicals in your laundry right? and dry cleaners would never wash the coat seperately.
as to fire hazards, I wouldn't worry about that. the coat will be in a tub of water.
