There are certain important things that we we should look for when buying a lab coat. Considering that lab coats are worn by professionals in the medical field or by those involved in laboratary, it vital to choose a clean and comfortable cloth. The garment is usually made from white cotton or linen to allow it to be washed at high temperature and make it easy to see if it is clean. The reasoning is legitimate; cotton lab coats are cooler, and launder easier with high water temperatures and bleach to make the coats look cleaner.

Lab coats also known as "white coats" are sometimes seen as the distinctive dress of physicians, who have worn them for over 100 years. It should be made with an anti-static thread throughout the material to prevent computer and equipment power outages.

Spray rating, air porosity and the Suter hydrostatic resistance to fluid pressure are three of the tests a fabric must undergo to determine its suitability for personal protective equipment in the laboratory. There are three simple ways to determine this. They are
   * The spray rating determines whether the fabric absorbs or repels fluids upon contact.
   * The air porosity test determines the breathability of the material or how hot it feels on the employee.
   * The Suter hydrostatic resistance to fluid pressure is 850 for surgical attire and 60 for a cotton coat.