If you have spent any time in a hospital, theatre, vet clinic or dental surgery, you have seen scrub caps everywhere - but there is more to choosing one than grabbing whatever is in the supply cupboard. This guide covers what scrub caps are, the different styles, how to get the fit right, fabric and care, and how to pick one that suits your role and your shift.
What is a scrub cap and who wears one
A scrub cap is a soft fabric cap worn to cover the hair in clinical and theatre settings. It keeps hair contained, protects against sweat and product transfer, and forms part of the standard theatre uniform alongside scrubs, masks and shoe covers.
Scrub caps are worn by a wide range of healthcare workers and adjacent professionals, including:
- Nurses on the ward and in theatre
- Surgeons and surgical assistants
- Anaesthetists and anaesthetic technicians
- Midwives
- Dental professionals
- Veterinary staff and vet nurses
- Sonographers, radiographers and other allied health staff
Outside clinical settings, scrub caps have also become popular with baristas, tattoo artists and anyone who wants a comfortable, breathable head covering for a long shift on their feet.
Types of scrub caps
Not all scrub caps are built the same way. The three main styles you will come across are bouffant, skull cap (also called euro style) and tie-back.
Bouffant scrub caps
Bouffant caps are the rounder, fuller style with more room at the crown. They are the go-to choice for anyone with long hair, thick hair or a bun, because there is enough space to tuck everything in without the cap pulling tight. Most bouffant caps use an elasticated edge or an adjustable toggle to cinch the fit around the head.
Skull caps
Skull caps sit closer to the head and have a more fitted, structured shape, often with a seam running front to back. They are a popular choice for surgeons and theatre staff who prefer a snugger fit under a surgical hood or mask, and for anyone with short hair who does not need the extra volume of a bouffant.
Tie-back scrub caps
Tie-back styles fasten with fabric ties at the back rather than elastic or a toggle. Some people find ties more comfortable for long shifts because there is no elastic band creating pressure around the head, and the fit can be adjusted more precisely tie by tie.
Adjustable toggle caps
Many modern bouffant caps, including Scrubbed Up's scrub cap collection, use a drawstring and toggle at the back instead of a fixed elastic band. This means one size can comfortably fit a much wider range of head sizes and hair volumes, and you can loosen or tighten the fit through a 12-hour shift as needed.
Fit and sizing
A scrub cap that is too tight will leave marks and give you a headache by hour six. One that is too loose will slip down over your eyes every time you bend over a patient or a bench. A few things to look for:
- Adjustable is better than fixed. A toggle or drawstring back means the cap can flex with you, whether you have just washed and dried your hair or you are wearing it up in a bun.
- One size, adjustable fit works for most adult head sizes when the back is adjustable, which is why most Australian scrub cap brands, including Scrubbed Up, sell caps as one size.
- Depth matters for long or thick hair. If you have a lot of hair or wear it in a bun, a bouffant style with extra crown depth will sit more comfortably than a fitted skull cap.
- Ear comfort. If you wear glasses or need to loop a mask over your ears for a full shift, look for a cap that does not sit too low or press on the ear line.
Fabric and breathability
Most quality scrub caps are made from 100% cotton. Cotton is breathable, which matters when you are wearing a cap for a 12-hour shift under theatre lighting or in a warm clinical environment. It also washes well at high temperatures without breaking down the way some synthetic blends can, and it tends to be more comfortable against the scalp over a long shift than tightly woven synthetic fabric.
Look for a lightweight, breathable cotton rather than anything heavy or stiff. A cap that traps heat is uncomfortable long before it is unhygienic.
Care and washing
Scrub caps should be washed regularly, ideally after every shift or every couple of shifts depending on your workplace's infection control policy. A few basic care tips:
- Machine wash in cold to warm water rather than hot, to protect the print and the fabric.
- Avoid bleach, which will fade printed designs quickly.
- Tumble dry on low or air dry - high heat can shrink cotton over time.
- Wash new caps separately the first time in case of any colour transfer from the print.
- Rotate two or three caps so you always have a clean one ready for your next shift.
How to choose a scrub cap by profession
Nurses: A bouffant style with an adjustable toggle is the most practical everyday choice, giving room for hair up or down and enough flexibility for back-to-back shifts.
Surgeons: Many surgeons prefer a fitted skull cap or bouffant with a close crown that sits comfortably under a surgical hood, especially for long procedures.
Anaesthetists: Anaesthetists spend long stretches at the head of the table, so a comfortable, breathable bouffant cap that will not slip during a long case is worth prioritising. See our dedicated anaesthesia scrub cap guide for more detail.
Vet staff: The same fit and hygiene considerations apply in veterinary theatres, and a fun print can lighten the mood in a demanding day of consults and surgery.
Dental professionals: A well-fitted bouffant works well for dental settings where a cap is worn alongside a mask and loupes for extended periods.
Midwives: Midwives moving between birth suite and theatre benefit from a cap that is comfortable over long, unpredictable shifts and easy to keep spare ones on hand.
Vet and dental scrub caps
Vet scrub caps and dental scrub caps face similar hygiene demands to hospital theatre wear, since both need to be easy to keep clean and comfortable to wear for back-to-back consults and procedures. Dental professionals often wear a cap alongside a mask and loupes for extended periods, so a lightweight, adjustable fit that will not press or slip matters as much as it does in theatre. Vet staff move between consults and surgery throughout the day, and a wipeable, breathable cotton cap that goes into the wash easily keeps pace with a demanding schedule. A fun print is a small way to lighten a long day of appointments, whether that is a vet clinic or a dental surgery.
Where Scrubbed Up fits in
Scrubbed Up caps are designed in Brisbane and made as a one size, fully adjustable bouffant style with a toggle back, so they suit most head sizes and hair types without needing to pick a size. The range spans 13 playful prints, so you can bring a bit of personality to an otherwise fairly uniform theatre outfit, whether that is a bold pattern for the tearoom or something calmer for the day-to-day. Scrubbed Up started as handmade scrub caps during the pandemic and has since grown into a brand with over 2,400 Etsy orders and more than 200 five star reviews, with scrub sets in the same spirit launching soon.
Browse the full scrub caps collection to find a print that suits you, or read our size, fit and care guide for more detail on getting the most out of your cap.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash my scrub cap?
Most healthcare workers wash their scrub cap after every shift, or every one to two shifts depending on their workplace's infection control guidelines. Having two or three caps in rotation makes this easier to keep up with.
Can you wear a scrub cap with long hair or a ponytail?
Yes. A bouffant style with extra room at the crown and an adjustable toggle back is the most comfortable option for long hair, buns or ponytails, since it gives your hair somewhere to sit without pulling the cap tight.
What is the difference between a bouffant and a skull cap?
A bouffant cap has a fuller, rounder shape with more room at the crown, which suits longer or thicker hair. A skull cap sits closer to the head with a more fitted shape, which some people prefer for a snugger feel under a mask or hood.
Are scrub caps one size fits all?
Many are, including Scrubbed Up caps, thanks to an adjustable drawstring and toggle at the back. This lets one size fit a wide range of head sizes and hair volumes rather than needing separate small, medium and large options.
What fabric are scrub caps made from?
Most quality scrub caps, including Scrubbed Up's, are made from 100% cotton, chosen for breathability over long shifts and durability through regular washing.
Can I machine wash my scrub cap?
Yes. Scrub caps are machine washable in cold to warm water. Avoid bleach and high heat drying to protect the print and the fabric over time.
Do scrub caps help with infection control?
Scrub caps are part of standard theatre attire and help contain hair and reduce sweat or product transfer in clinical environments. Always follow your workplace's specific infection control policy on how often caps should be changed.
What is the difference between a scrub cap and a surgical hood?
A surgical hood is a fuller, more enclosed covering that also covers the ears and neck, typically worn for specific surgical requirements. A scrub cap is the everyday head covering worn for general ward, clinic and theatre work.