The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of skin cleaning with 5% NaHCO3 to 75% alcohol on the removal of skin grease and pain of patients with central venous catheters (CVC).This was a randomized, controlled, single-blinded and prospective study. From January-September 2015, 143 consecutive patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and who underwent elective cardiovascular surgery with placement of a CVC were selected. Patients were randomly divided into 2 groups according to the disinfection preparation procedure: experimental group (n = 60), in which 5% NaHCO3 and distilled water solution at 40-45°C were used, and the control group (n = 66), in which 75% alcohol was used. Main outcome measures were verbal rating scale pain score, satisfaction and bacterial count after 2 minutes of iodine disinfection.The verbal rating scale pain scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group (P < 0.001). In the control group, 4.5% of patients and 43% of nurses were satisfied with 75% alcohol cleaning before disinfection procedure, compared to 74% and 78%, respectively, in the experimental group. The bacterial count did not show any difference between these 2 groups after iodine disinfection (P = 0.455).Cleaning of the CVC before disinfection with 5% NaHCO3 and distilled water at 40-45°C alleviated pain and improved patient and nurse satisfaction compared with using 75% alcohol.