Abstract: Aqueous detergent solutions of block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide having the structure: ##STR1## and an ethylene oxide to propylene oxide ratio of at least 4:1 have been found to be surprisingly useful in the cleansing of contaminated wounds in that they do not impair the wound's ability to resist infection. Surgical scrub solutions of these detergent solutions containing in addition antiseptic agents provide cleansing solutions which both eliminate bacteria and provide the desired cleansing action without impairing the wound's ability to resist infection.