In 2007, Rodeheaver and Ratliff (2018) defined wound cleansing as the “removal of surface contaminants, bacteria and remnants of previous dressings from the wound surface and its surrounding skin”.

Wound cleansing has additional benefits, such as improved visualisation of the wound bed and edges, removal of organic and non-organic material, and removal of excess exudate. Sometimes, even an acute wound requires a surfactant cleanser to remove adherent blood or exudate on or surrounding an incision line prior to removal of sutures or staples. Normal saline can be used but then more mechanical action is required and may increase pain. An additional goal for the patient is feeling socially clean.