Bad - Extra Health - antibacterial ingredients may kill off good bacteria, as well as bad - Brief Article

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, June, 2002

In fact, you may be killing off some of the better bugs if you use a lot of soaps, plastics and fabrics that contain antibacterial ingredients, say researchers from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. They found that several dangerous microorganisms, including some that cause blood infections, meningitis and urinary-tract infections, thrived in soaps containing triclosan, the active ingredient in many antibacterial formulas.

Because triclosan also kills off the beneficial bacteria that help suppress more dangerous germs, you may be better off washing your hands with regular soap.