BACKGROUND: Sodium dodecyl sulfate is commonly used for decellularization of allogeneic matrix, whereas it is hard to remove from matrix. Only a small amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate in matrix can cause cytotoxicity. OBJECTIVE: To provide a high effective method to remove sodium dodecyl sulfate, which residuals in allogeneic matrix. METHODS: The pure water, potassium salt solution and ethanol were chosen to remove sodium dodecyl sulfate. The decellularization degree, residual amount of sodium dodecyl sulfate, composition, structure and tensile properties and cytotoxicity of allogeneic dermis and allogeneic tendon were detected to evaluate the cleaning effect. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In total, ethanol + potassium chloride and 75% ethanol + potassium chloride produced little significant impacts on the component and structure of allogeneic matrix. Firstly, on condition that sodium dodecyl sulfate was infiltrated into allogeneic matrix since DNA amount was controlled under 50 ng/mg (dry weight), the sodium dodecyl sulfate residual results showed a tremendous reduction of 96.7% and 97% in allogeneic dermis and allogeneic tendon, respectively. Secondly, no significant changes occurred in allogeneic dermis and allogeneic tendon for glycosaminoglycan and collagen. Moreover, after carefully washing, the allogeneic tendon exhibited higher the maximum tensile force, strength, and modulus than those after decellularization. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference compared with the raw material. Finally, the cytotoxicity test showed that cell viability was higher than 80% after washing of allogeneic dermis and allogeneic tendon; the cytotoxicity grade was not greater than lever 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]