A comparison of the effectiveness of a conventional soap bar and liquid soap with an antimicrobial soap containing triclosan. The results demonstrated that the antimicrobial liquid soap is effective in vitro, but efficacy is dependent on concentration and time. During in-use situations the antimicrobial soap was no better at reducing the microbial load on hands than the conventional liquid or soap bar. International Journal of Consumer Studies 2001; 25:200-207.