Learning About Using Chlorhexidine Gluconate (CHG) Soap

What is it?

Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) soap is a special soap used to clean the skin and protect against germs. The soap comes as a liquid or as disposable wet wipes.

Why is it used?

CHG soap is used to prevent infections on the skin. Using this soap can reduce your chances of getting infections before or after some major surgeries. It can reduce your risk of getting an infection while you're in the intensive care unit (ICU), the hospital, or another care facility.

How is it used?

Follow your care team's instructions for how you can use CHG soap.

If you don't have specific instructions, here are some general directions for using CHG liquid soap.

• Wash your body, face, and hair as usual with soap and shampoo, and then rinse.
• Turn off the water, and wash with CHG soap. Start from your neck down. Avoid your face and keep the soap out of your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth. Follow your care team's instructions on use in your genital and rectal areas.
• Let the soap stay on your skin as long as instructed.
• Turn the water back on. Rinse off the soap completely.
• Dry off with a clean towel. Dress in clean clothes. If you shower with CHG at night, be sure your bed has clean, fresh sheets.

If you have CHG wipes, here are some general directions for how to use them.

• Wash your body, face, and hair as usual with soap and shampoo and then rinse before using the CHG wipes.
• Use one wipe for each part of your body, starting at your neck and moving downward. Do not reuse the used wipe on the next body part. Spend 20 seconds on each part of your body in this order:
  • Neck, shoulders, and chest. Avoid your face and keep the wipes out of your eyes, ears, nose, and mouth.
  • Both arms and hands. Start at your shoulder and end at your fingertips. Remember to clean your armpits and between your fingers.
  • Belly, groin, and both hips. Follow your care team's instructions on use in your genital area.
  • Right leg and foot. Beginning at your thigh, clean your leg, including behind your knee. End at your toes. Remember to clean between your toes.
  • Left leg and foot. Repeat the same steps as the right leg and foot.
  • Back of neck, back, and then rear end (buttocks). Follow your care team's instructions on use in your rectal area.
• Talk to your care team if some areas are too hard to reach.
• Let your skin air-dry completely. Your skin may feel sticky or even itchy. That feeling should go away after your skin dries.
• Dress in clean clothes. If you use CHG wipes at night, be sure your bed has clean, fresh sheets.

After using CHG soap or wipes, do not:

• Use regular soap on your skin.
• Put on any lotions, powders, deodorants, perfumes, or makeup.