The method for surgical scrub using chlorhexidine or iodine is:

1. Rinse hands and forearms up to the elbows with water
2. Apply chlorhexidine or povidone iodine to all surfaces of the hands and forearms up to the elbows
3. For 2 minutes, scrub each side of each finger, between fingers, the back and front of the hand, then the arms
4. Keep the hand higher than the elbow at all times, to avoid recontamination of the hands by water running down from the elbows contaminating the hands
5. Then, for 1 minute, wash each side of the arm from wrist to the elbow
6. Repeat the process on the other hand and arm
7. If the hand touches anything, the scrub must be lengthened by 1 minute for the area that has been contaminated
8. Rinse hands and arms by passing them through the water in one direction only, from fingertips to elbow. Do not move the arm back and forth through the water
9. Then, hold hands above elbows and away from clothing
10. Dry hands and arms using a sterile towel before donning gown and then gloves, taking care not to splash water onto gown