This is the first randomized controlled trial into the effect of washing without water on skin integrity and costs. We showed that washing without water is a slightly more efficient intervention compared to washing with water and soap. The experimental condition does not differ from traditional bathing with respect to significant skin lesions, yet slightly protects from any skin damage. While it comes with no significant cost savings in nursing home residents, both residents and nurses are mainly positive about washing without water and residents in the experimental group did not show more resistance during bed baths than residents in the control group.