How to clean a wound for faster healing and infection prevention

Published: August 2020

Last Reviewed: March 2025

Proper wound cleansing is the first and most important step in preventing infection and supporting optimal healing. Whether it’s a minor cut, scrape, or graze, thorough cleansing helps remove dirt, bacteria, and debris, reducing the risk of complications like scarring and prolonged healing.

Before covering your wound with plaster, like Elastoplast Second Skin Protection Advanced Plasters, it’s essential to clean and disinfect it properly using Elastoplast Wound Spray. In this article, you will learn how to clean a wound effectively and use Elastoplast products to promote optimal healing and protection.

It's important to learn how to clean a cut or graze if you or someone close to you requires treatment. Wounds should be cleaned and bandaged as soon as possible. For minor wounds, you should be able to do this yourself at home.

Follow these simple steps to clean a wound safely and effectively:

Before treating a wound, wash your hands with soap and water, then dry them completely. If possible, wear disposable gloves to minimise the risk of infection. If you're helping someone else, ensure they are sitting or lying comfortably.

Apply light pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or sterile gauze. Most small cuts and grazes will stop bleeding on their own, but deeper wounds may take longer.

Hold the wound under cool tap water for a few minutes to wash away dirt and debris. Avoid using strong antiseptics like hydrogen peroxide, as they may irritate the skin and slow down healing.

Water can help rinse away some dirt and debris from a wound, but it may not effectively remove bacteria and prevent infection.

Elastoplast Wound Spray offers an effective and convenient way to cleanse wounds, reducing the risk of infection and promoting optimal healing. It is ideal for treating minor wounds such as cuts, grazes, and burns without causing discomfort. This fast and pain-free wound cleanser gently washes away dirt, bacteria, and particles without rubbing, which can further irritate the wound. The spray is also colourless and odourless and prevents infection, making it suitable for children and sensitive skin.

Spray the entire wound area from a distance of about 10cm to remove dirt and visible particles. Then, gently pat the area dry with a clean towel or cloth. Avoid cotton wool or swabs, as they can leave fibres behind.

After cleaning and drying out the wound, apply a thin layer of Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment to promote healing and prevent infection. It is best to reapply the ointment once or twice daily until the wound fully recovers.

Once you’ve cleaned the wound, the Elastoplast Wound Healing Ointment supports the healing of minor wounds and damaged skin by promoting up to 2x faster healing and reducing the risk of scarring. It can be used at any stage of the healing process on superficial open wounds and damaged skin. A moist healing environment has been clinically proven to aid and speed up the natural wound healing process. You can use the ointment under an Elastoplast plaster or dressing.

Cover the wound with a plaster or sterile dressing to keep out bacteria and prevent further injury. If the wound bleeds through the first dressing, leave it in place, apply pressure, and add another layer on top.

Elastoplast offers a wide range of plasters and dressings tailored to your needs:

• Hydrocolloid Plasters: The Second Skin Protection Hydrocolloid Advanced Plaster promotes faster healing by creating a moist environment and reducing scarring. It is ideal for blisters, burns, and minor wounds and provides cushioning and protection without sticking to the wound. Waterproof and sweatproof, it’s perfect for swimming, washing, and showering. Learn more about hydrocolloid plasters benefits.
• Fabric Plasters: Flexible and breathable, these fabric plasters move with your skin, offering comfort and strong adhesion for minor cuts and grazes.
• Sterile Waterproof XL Dressings: The Elastoplast Sterile Waterproof XL MED+ is designed for larger or post-operative wounds. Waterproof and with strong adhesion, they’re perfect for washing, showering, or swimming while protecting the wound.
• Sensitive Medium Plasters: If you have sensitive skin, Elastoplast Sensitive Plasters protect minor cuts and grazes while offering comfort, breathability, and strong adhesion for effective healing.

If anything is embedded in the wound, do not try to remove it yourself.

Seek medical attention if the wound is deep, heavily contaminated, or shows signs of infection. Learn more in 'When to see a doctor about a wound' below.

When changing your plaster or wound dressing, you should only clean the cut again if there are signs of infection, the wound contains debris, or it's visibly contaminated with faecal material. When a wound is infected, cleansing should occur at each dressing change. If you suspect the wound may be infected, learn how to treat an infected cut.

When the skin is injured the protective skin barrier is damaged, meaning dirt and bacteria can enter the body. This can cause a wound infection, which results in further skin damage and a delayed healing process.

If left untreated, the infection may spread to deeper tissue, leading to an even more serious health condition. This is why the first step to optimal wound care is to ensure the wound is clean and cleansed.

Irrespective of their size, wounds will heal better if they are first cleansed from dirt, bacteria and visible particles - so don’t underestimate a small wound. Proper cleansing is essential for many types of acute wounds, such as cuts, abrasions, burns and open blisters.

Regular cleansing is also recommended for treating chronic and post-operative wounds per the doctor’s instruction. The International Wound Infection Institute defines a chronic wound as “a wound that has a slow progression through the healing phases, or shows delayed, interrupted or stalled healing due to intrinsic and extrinsic factors that impact on the individual and their wound”.

While the advice above should help clean your wound as part of an optimal healing process, you should seek medical advice if your wound:

• will not stop bleeding
• has an object inserted in it
• is very deep or large
• has not showed any signs of healing after one month
• is too painful for you to be able to clean it
• was caused by a bite (either animal or human) 
• is located near to a major blood vessel or joint
• shows signs of infection (has pus coming out or is red and swollen)

Always see a doctor if the wound is deep, bleeds heavily or shows signs of infection like reddening, swelling or warmth.

Please note that, although these were compiled with great care, the tips and advice given on this website by no means substitute medical advice and treatment. If you have or suspect a health problem, consult a doctor and follow medical advice regardless of what you have learned on this website.

Always read carefully and follow the instructions for use or the leaflets of our products. For further information about our products, please contact us via email at ConsumerRelationsUK@Beiersdorf.com