The aim of the study was to describe patients' experiences with preoperative skin disinfection carried out in their home before elective hip replacement surgery with the aim of lowering the microbial burden and avoiding surgical site infections. The literature was reviewed for relevant studies. Optimal preparations before surgery depend on patients being able to assimilate preoperative information and instructions. The study was based on 14 interviews with patients who had undergone elective hip replacement surgery. Data were analysed with qualitative manifest content analysis according to Graneheim and Lundman (2004). The main categories of findings were: patients' experience of obstacles and limitations, the importance of supportive surroundings, and personal resources as strength when performing preoperative skin disinfection. The findings of this study agree with earlier studies showing a lack of compliance to preoperative skin disinfection. The findings also suggest reasons for non-compliance. Preoperative skin disinfection involves many important steps that need to be accomplished to ensure the maximum effect on microbial burden on skin surface. These steps can be difficult for some patient groups. Perioperative dialogue is one way to identify patients' individual needs and to help patients participate in the process. The study concludes that patients who carried out skin disinfection at home before surgery have a great responsibility to prepare themselves. The challenge for perioperative nurses who work with preoperative information is to identify and individually guide those patients who need extended support so that all patients with elective hip replacement surgery receive the same quality of care. Further research should focus on how caregivers discover individuals with extended needs and on identifying the kind of support that is effective to achieve optimal conditions for hip replacement surgery.