Deep Dive

The lab coat: indispensable for safe working

7 April, 2025

The lab coat, together with safety goggles and gloves, forms the standard equipment of a laboratory technician. And not without good reason, as a good lab coat is essential for working safely. Yet not every lab coat is the same. A few tips for choosing the right one.

A lab coat protects your clothing and yourself. For chemical laboratory workers in particular, a good lab coat is essential when working with acids, bases, or other chemicals. Most lab coats are made from a mix of polyester and cotton, though 100% cotton versions also exist. Your lab coat should be loose-fitting for comfort and freedom of movement, but not so loose that it becomes a safety hazard.

Make sure your lab coat has long sleeves and cuffs to protect your arms as well. A good lab coat can be removed quickly in the conventional manner — that is, without pulling it over your head. The advantage of a lab coat with press-stud fastenings is that you can take it off rapidly in an emergency. Some models feature a press-stud placket that allows all the studs to be undone in a single action. The sleeves of the lab coat should have well-fitting cuffs to prevent liquids from getting inside them. Elasticated cuffs also make it easier to keep your hands free. Lab coats with a stand-up collar are useful for protecting your neck. Small items can often be stored in a few front pockets and/or an inside pocket. Some lab coats have a back vent for extra freedom of movement.

The standard lab coat is white. This has the advantage of making any contamination clearly visible. That said, things needn’t always be that way. All manner of colours are now available on the market: pink, yellow, orange, or (pistachio) green. More understated options exist too, such as grey or dark blue. Alongside the greater variety in colour, several different fits are now available as well. There are more tailored styles, or those with a princess seam, which are better suited to women. Whichever style you choose, safe working always comes first — so make sure you have sufficient freedom of movement.

How to keep your lab coat in tip-top condition

Do:

Wash regularly
Depending on how often you wear your lab coat and how much it is exposed to contaminants, it should be washed regularly to remove dirt and residues. Stubborn stains are best treated with a stain remover before washing the coat.
Dry thoroughly
Dry the lab coat according to the care instructions. Some lab coats can go in the tumble dryer, whilst others must be air-dried. Drying the coat properly prevents mould from forming. Avoid excessive heat to prevent damage to the fabric.
Store dry
After washing, and when not in immediate use, store the lab coat in a dry place away from direct sunlight. This preserves the integrity of the fabric and prevents mould growth.

Don’t:

Use polyester near flammable substances
Do not purchase a standard lab coat if you work with flammable substances; instead, choose a lab coat with a flame-retardant coating.
Iron at high temperatures
Most lab coats can be ironed at temperatures up to 150 degrees, which corresponds to just two dots on the iron’s temperature setting. Do not bleach the lab coat.
Wash at low temperatures
To ensure that all chemicals and any micro-organisms are thoroughly removed, the lab coat must be washed at a high temperature — a minimum of 85 degrees.