Manufacturer · Fashion & Home Accessories
Buttons for medical clothing must withstand high-temperature washing, thermal and chemical disinfection and frequent ironing without cracking, yellowing or coming away from the fabric. Urea and melamine buttons are used most, as well as snap buttons on tunics and coats. A smooth shape without edges where dirt can collect and secure sewing are also important.
Why medical clothing is a special case
The coats, tunics and trousers of medical staff are washed with programmes designed to destroy micro-organisms. This means:
- high washing temperatures, often 60–90 °C;
- disinfectants and oxygen bleach;
- tumble drying and ironing in a flatwork ironer or tunnel finisher;
- many cycles – a tunic may be washed every day.
Under this load, thermoplastic buttons lose their shape and gloss over time, and some pigments fade. That is why medical clothing is one of the main fields for thermosetting materials.
Buttons for medical clothing – which material
| Material | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Urea (UF) | Does not soften with heat, stable colour, reasonable price | More brittle under strong impact |
| Melamine (MF) | Highest resistance to steam and chemicals | Higher price |
| Snap buttons (metal or plastic) | Quick to put on and take off | Metal ones require a corrosion-resistant finish |
| Polyester | Low price, many colours | Not suitable for regular washing at high temperatures |
For tunics and coats washed in a hospital or contract laundry, we recommend urea buttons or melamine. Polyester buttons are suitable only for clothing cared for at home at moderate temperatures.
Shape and fastening
Smooth surfaces
Medical clothing must be easy to clean. Choose buttons with a smooth surface, without deep relief or crevices where residues of detergents and dirt can collect.
Sew-through buttons or snap buttons
Classic four-hole buttons are the safest in the wash, because they are sewn on securely and have no moving parts. Snap buttons are convenient on tunics that are put on and taken off many times a day, but choose styles and finishes designed for high-temperature washing.
Concealed fastening
For surgical and some types of hospital clothing, a concealed placket is preferred – the buttons do not touch the patient or the equipment, and they are also protected from knocks in the drum.
Sizes and colours
- Tunics and blouses – 18L–20L (about 11.5–12.7 mm);
- Doctors’ coats – 24L–28L (about 15.2–17.8 mm);
- Pockets – 18L.
White is the traditional colour, but any change in shade shows most clearly on it. If the clothing is coloured (blue, green, burgundy), a button matching the fabric hides wear better. Urea buttons can be made in a colour matched to a fabric sample.
Care label and testing
The care label according to ISO 3758 shows the maximum washing temperature, ironing and permitted bleaching. The buttons must withstand the toughest process on the label, not the average one. Recommended test before production:
- Sew the buttons onto a sample of the actual fabric.
- Wash at least five to ten cycles at the maximum temperature and with the detergents the laundry uses.
- Dry and iron using the actual process.
- Check the colour, surface, edges and seam strength.
Buttons by type of medical garment
Medical tunics
Tunics are worn all day and washed after every shift. They usually fasten at the front or on the shoulder. Four-hole urea buttons in 18L–20L are the most common solution, while shoulder-fastening styles often use snap buttons because they fasten easily without a mirror.
Doctors’ coats
The coat is worn over other clothing and buttoned and unbuttoned many times a day. Choose larger buttons (24L–28L) with an easy-to-grip rim and a buttonhole with a little extra length.
Clothing for dental and beauty practices
Here the look matters more and the styles are more fitted. Urea in the fabric colour or in a contrasting corporate colour gives a professional look and withstands the same washing. Buttons with a satin sheen, which look more elegant than fully matte ones, are also suitable.
Clothing for hospital patients
Pyjamas and nightgowns for patients are washed under the toughest processes. Here strength and comfort are what matter most – smooth, flatter buttons that do not press when lying down.
Sewing that lasts
On medical clothing, a button falls off more often because of the seam than because of the material. Use polyester thread that withstands high temperatures, increase the number of stitches and check the seam strength on samples from every batch. With snap buttons, monitor the attachment strength and use reinforcement on the inside for light fabrics.
Hygiene and safety
- Avoid decorative elements that can come off.
- Do not use buttons with lacquer or metallised coatings that can flake during disinfection.
- Check whether the client has its own requirements for materials or testing.
If the tender or client requires specific documents or tests, state them in your inquiry – this way we can clarify in advance what applies to the specific article.
Buttons for medical clothing from Polkom
Polkom is a Bulgarian manufacturer of accessories for fashion, furniture, footwear and bags from Sofia with over 30 years of experience. We offer urea buttons and snap buttons for medical clothing manufacturers, in colours matched to a sample, with fast samples and delivery throughout the EU. Send us the style and the washing process via the inquiry form.
