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Bathing Using Cloths with Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) Before a Procedure

Patient Education
Published Oct. 12, 2021
• Reviewed by a UI Health Care Provider
on March 9, 2026

How to stop infections

This hospital is working to prevent infections. Your care team will give you cloths with CHG at the appointment before your surgery. Use it to clean your skin the evening before and morning of surgery. CHG is better than regular soap at removing germs on your skin.

Follow these instructions:

  1. Do not shave near where you will have surgery. Shaving with a razor can irritate your skin and make it easier to develop an infection. 
  2. Remove all jewelry until after surgery. Take off rings and take out all body-piercing jewelry. 
  3. Wash your face and hair with your normal soap and shampoo before you use the cloths with CHG. 
  4. Use the cloths with CHG to clean your skin. Use them just as you would a washcloth.
    • Do not use cloths with CHG on your face, eyes, ears, nose, mouth, or private areas. Do not put on any wounds or deep scrapes. If exposed, rinse right away.
    • Do not scrub your skin too hard. 
    • Cloths with CHG have built-in moisturizers. Your skin may feel sticky for a few minutes.
    • Do not wash with your normal soap after using cloths with CHG. 
    • Do not rinse or wipe your body with water after using cloths with CHG. 
    • Do not put on any deodorants, lotions, or oils after bathing. If these are needed, talk with your nurse first. They might block how the CHG works
  5. Ask another adult for help cleaning your skin, if needed.

  6. Use a total of 6 cloths with CHG. Follow the picture below:
     

    Body Parts identified
  7. Throw away the cloths in the trash can. Do not flush them in the toilet.
  8. Put on clean clothing.
  9. Use clean sheets on your bed after using cloths with CHG.

Side effects are:

  • Dryness
  • Hives
  • Itching
  • Redness
  • Sensitivity

Tell your care team if you:

  • Are allergic to CHG. 
  • Have had a reaction to CHG in the past.
  • Have skin that is red, itchy, or burning for more than 30 minutes.

What else should I know?

Use anti-bacterial soap if you are allergic to CHG.