This article is based on a symposium held at the Wounds UK annual conference in Harrogate, UK, on 13th November 2017. ​The aim of the symposium was to provide practical information on how new principles in cleansing and debridement technology can help to improve wound bed preparation and resulting patient outcomes. The symposium consisted of presentations by two speakers: Liz Ovens (Independent Tissue Viability Specialist Nurse), who explained the importance of wound bed preparation in dealing with biofilms, and the role of debridement and topical irrigation and gel; and Sally Irving (Independent Tissue Viability Nurse Consultant) presented case studies using a novel soft debridement pad.