How to Give a Sponge Bath

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Registered nurse Ighodalo Oribhabor provides easy steps for giving someone a sponge bath

Co-authored by Ighodalo Oribhabor and Raven Minyard, BA

Last Updated: December 1, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Preparing to Give the Bath
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• Bathing the Head, Chest, and Legs
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• Bathing the Back and Private Area
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• Expert Q&A
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• Tips
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• Things You'll Need

|Show more |Show less

Sponge baths, or bed baths, are used to bathe people who are bedridden or unable to bathe on their own due to health reasons. Giving a bed bath involves washing and rinsing the entire body one section at a time while the patient remains in bed. In this article, we spoke to registered nurse Ighodalo Oribhabor to learn how to properly give someone a sponge bath. It is important to gather all the supplies needed before you begin so you do not have to leave the patient unattended. A good bed bath will leave the person feeling clean and comfortable.

Expert Tips for Giving a Sponge Bath

Registered nurse Ighodalo Oribhabor says to start with the patient’s upper body: grab a clean washcloth, add soap, and wash their face, neck, and chest. Use plain water to rinse the soap and dry them off. Then, move to their lower body and clean their legs and feet. Finally, wash their back, buttocks, and genitals.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing to Give the Bath

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1. 
   1
   Fill two basins or washtubs with warm water. One is used for washing, and the other for rinsing. The water temperature should be 98.6 degrees F (37 degrees C) or less. You want it to be comfortable to the touch, but not too hot.
2. 
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   Choose a soap that's easy to rinse away. Most bar soaps are fine to use. Body washes are also acceptable as long as they don't leave a residue. You may add soap to one of the basins to create a bowl of warm, soapy water for washing, or keep the soap separate and apply it directly to the patient's skin.

   • Avoid using soap that has exfoliating beads or other substances that could end up staying on the patient's skin and causing irritation.
   • No-rinse soaps are available at drug stores. This is a convenient solution for a quick cleanse, but they leave a residue, so you'll still need to rinse the patient's body from time to time.
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3. 
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   Get shampooing supplies ready. If you plan to shampoo the patient's hair, you'll need a shampoo that's easy to rinse out (such as baby shampoo) and a special basin designed for washing hair in bed. You can find one at a medical supply store, and it's a big help when it comes to washing hair in bed without getting water everywhere.

   • If you don't have a special basin, you can make do by placing an extra towel or two under the patient's head to protect the bed from getting too wet.
4. 
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   Have a stack of clean towels and washcloths ready. At minimum, you'll need three large towels and two washcloths, but it's nice to have extra in case there's a spill or the supplies get soiled.

   • It's convenient to stack towels, washcloths, water basins, and soap on a portable cart, such as a TV cart, so you can keep everything you need close to the bed.
   • Oribhabor agrees that you should gather your supplies ahead of time. This allows you to have your supplies within reach and prevents you from leaving your patient unsupervised.
5. 
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   Place two towels under the patient. This will prevent the bed from getting wet and keep the patient comfortable during the process. To place the towels under the patient, lift the patient onto their side and scoot the towel under, then carefully lower the patient and do the same on the other side. You can also use a sheet or waterproof mat.

   • Before you get started, “explain what you are doing,” says Oribhabor. “This prevents confusion and allows the patient to be a part of the process.”
6. 
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   Cover the patient with a clean sheet or towel. This will ensure the patient stays warm during the bath as well as provide some privacy. The sheet or towel will stay on the patient's body the whole time.

   • Be sure to adjust the temperature in the room if necessary to prevent the patient from getting a chill.
   • Make sure to close the door to the patient’s room to ensure their privacy and preserve their dignity, says Oribhabor.
7. 
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   Remove the patient's clothes. Fold down the sheet or towel, uncover the patient's top half, and remove their shirt. Replace the sheet over the top half of the patient. Fold the sheet back from the patient's legs and remove their pants and underwear. Recover the patient with the sheet.

   • Try to keep as much of the patient covered as possible while you're removing the clothes.
   • Keep in mind that this process can be embarrassing for some people, so try to work quickly and with a purposeful attitude.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Bathing the Head, Chest, and Legs

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1. 
   1
   Use the same cleansing and rinsing method for the whole body. First, apply soap or soapy water to the patient's skin. Scrub it gently with a washcloth to remove dirt and bacteria, then place the washcloth in the soapy basin. Dip a second washcloth into the rinsing basin and use it to rinse away the soap. Then, Oribhabor says to gently dry the area.

   • Remember to rotate between the two washcloths: use one for soaping and one for rinsing. If the clothes become soiled, switch to clean ones.
   • Replace the water in the basins as necessary.
2. 
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   Start with the patient's face. Gently wash the patient's face, ears, and neck with soapy water. Rinse away the soap with a separate washcloth. Dry the cleaned area with a towel.

   • Oribhabor agrees that you should begin the sponge bath with the upper body, which includes the face, neck, and chest.
3. 
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   Wash the patient's hair. Gently lift their head into the shampooing basin. Wet the hair by pouring water over the patient's head, taking care not to get it in their eyes. Apply shampoo, then rinse it away. Pat the hair dry with a towel.
4. 
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   Wash the patient's left arm and shoulder. Fold over the sheet on the left side of the body down to the hip. Place a towel beneath the exposed arm. Wash and rinse the patient's shoulder, underarm, arm, and hand. Dry the wet areas with a towel.

   • Dry the washed areas thoroughly, especially the underarm, to prevent chafing and bacteria growth.
   • Recover with the sheet to keep the patient warm.
5. 
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   Wash the patient's right arm and shoulder. Fold over the sheet to expose the right side. Place the towel beneath the other arm and repeat, washing, rinsing and drying the right shoulder, underarm, arm, and hand.

   • Dry the washed areas thoroughly, especially the underarm, to prevent chafing and bacteria growth.
   • Recover with the sheet to keep the patient warm.
6. 
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   Wash the patient's torso. Fold the sheet down to the waist. Then, gently wash and rinse the chest, stomach, and sides, says Oribhabor. Be sure to wash carefully among any folds in the patient's skin, since bacteria tends to get trapped there. Dry the torso carefully, especially among the folds.

   • Recover the patient with the sheet to keep the patient warm.
7. 
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   Wash the patient's legs. Uncover the patient's right leg up to the waist, and wash, rinse, and dry the leg and foot. Recover the right leg and uncover the left. Then, wash, rinse, and dry the leg and foot, says Oribhabor. Recover the lower half of the body.

   • As a reminder, Oribhabor says to “use a new washcloth and fresh water as needed.”
   

   Give the care your loved ones deserve. "With my dad now bedridden from advancing cancer, my family is committed to comforting him at home. Though I have no experience bathing the elderly and frail, the clear instructions and illustrations here walk me through the process with care and dignity so I can keep him clean." - Sheri H.

   You can tackle solo bathing challenges. "I need to bathe my frail mom alone without extra hands, which is extremely difficult. The step-by-step guidance here provides a precise blueprint for washing her properly and safely when using my Hoyer lift. Knowing what to expect empowers me." - Elaine T.

   Solo bathing is in your wheelhouse. "As my mom becomes increasingly frail, I now bathe her alone without extra help. Initially unsure how to correctly wash her, this article’s step-by-step instructions showed me how to properly position her, keep her warm and comfortable, and maintain her dignity throughout." - Elaine S.

   Share this article to those you care for. "Bedridden and requiring a health aide for the first time, I appreciated learning how baths would be conducted respectfully, what supplies were needed, and how my private regions would be appropriately covered. This article helped me feel ready, logistically and emotionally." - April H.

   Clear instructions make the process easy. "Helping care for an elderly relative but lacking experience, I needed exact directions to properly clean bedridden individuals. The straightforward guidance and illustrations here taught me techniques to correctly and sensitively sponge bathe." - David M.

   We want to hear from you! Advice from our readers makes our articles better. If you have a story you’d like to share, tell us here.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Bathing the Back and Private Area

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1. 
   1
   Empty the water basins and refill them with clean water. Since approximately half the patient's body is now clean, it's a good time to refill the water.
2. 
   2
   Ask the patient to roll on their side if they are able. To clean the patient’s back, Oribhabor says to turn them over. You may have to assist the person. Make sure they are not too close to the edge of the bed.
3. 
   3
   Wash the patient's back and buttocks. Fold the sheet over to expose the entire backside of the patient. Wash, rinse, and dry the back of the patient's neck and back, says Oribhabor. Then, wash, rinse, and dry their buttocks and parts of the legs you may have missed.
4. 
   4
   Wash the genital area and anus. Always ask for permission before starting to clean the patient’s private areas, and use a new washcloth and fresh water, says Oribhabor. Put on latex gloves if desired. Lift the person's leg and wash from front to back. Use a clean washcloth to rinse the area. Be sure to clean thoroughly between folds, and dry the area thoroughly as well.

   • “Always wipe front to back for female patients,” notes Oribhabor.
   • Males should be washed behind the testicles. Wash a female's labia, but there's no need to clean the vagina.
   • This part of the body should be washed every day, even when you're not giving a full-body bed bath.
5. 
   5
   Redress the patient. When you're finished, dress the patient in clean clothes or a robe. First, replace the patient's shirt, keeping the sheet over his or her legs. Then remove the sheet and replace the person's underwear and pants.

   • To prevent dry skin, Oribhabor suggests applying lotion to the patient’s body.
   • Elderly skin tends to get dry, so you may want to apply lotion to the arms and legs before putting their clothes back on.
   • Comb the person's hair and apply cosmetics and other body products according to the patient's preferences.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  Can I sponge bath babies?

  

  Joel Warsh, MD
  Board Certified Pediatrician

  Dr. Joel Warsh is a board certified Pediatrician and the Owner & Founder of Integrative Pediatrics and Medicine in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Dr. Warsh specializes in holistic and integrative medicine. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Health Sciences, a Master’s degree in Epidemiology and Community Health, and a Doctor of Medicine (MD) from Thomas Jefferson Medical College, where he was elected president of the Jefferson Pediatric Society. Dr. Warsh then completed his Pediatric Residency at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles (CHLA), where he received the George Donnell Society Research Fellow.

  

  Joel Warsh, MD

  Board Certified Pediatrician

  Expert Answer

  Sponge baths are actually recommended for most newborns and babies with sensitive skin because it provides a gentle and controlled way of cleaning the baby without exposure to possible irritants in regular bath products. This is done with a soft sponge or a washcloth wrung out in lukewarm water to gently clean the body of the baby. Be sure to stay away from the umbilical cord stump and other sensitive parts. 

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• Question

  What type of sponge should I use for a child?

  

  Daniela Castro
  Registered Nurse

  Daniela Castro is a Registered Nurse based in Denver, Colorado. She works at Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center in Denver as a Nurse in the Emergency Department. She specializes in Emergency Care, and also has experience with Senior Living Care. Prior to nursing at St. Luke’s, she worked as a Patient Caregiver at Lincoln Meadows Senior Living. She received her nursing degree from Metropolitan State University of Denver. She received a BA in International Business & Marketing from Oklahoma State University.

  

  Daniela Castro

  Registered Nurse

  Expert Answer

  You can use an antimicrobial sponge that's got this brush on one side and a sponge on the other. Then start giving a bath by filling a basin with warm water and adding a small amount of baby shampoo or a medically prescribed cleanser. Gently wash your child's body with the sponge, paying attention to areas like the armpits, groin, and behind the ears. If your child has a deep wound, use sterile water and a wound irrigation cap to clean it thoroughly.

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  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• It is not necessary to wash a bedridden person's hair daily. But if desired, there are products designed to clean the hair without water.
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• If the patient has open sores, it is recommended that you wear disposable gloves the entire time while giving a bed bath.
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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

• Having two wash basins prepared will help speed the process along so the patient is more comfortable.
• Use protective sheet liners (preferably of plastic or rubber) during bathtime.
• Make sure the patient isn't allergic to latex before using latex gloves.
• Wash the patient with the help of a mitten rather than gloved hands.

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Things You'll Need

• Basin or washtub
• Warm water
• Sheet
• Blanket
• Mild soap
• 6 washcloths (2 for face, 2 for body, 2 for peri care)
• 2 large towels (1 for the body, 1 for peri care)
• Disposable gloves
• Grooming products such as deodorant and lotion