We use diluted Dr. Bronner's, and it works wonderfully. (The only problem we've encountered is that some kinds of grime my husband gets on his hands at work absolutely will not wash off with Dr. B's, but dish soap usually does the trick in that case.) As for killing germs, I've read quite a few things saying that studies show those "antibacterial" soaps don't actually leave your hands more sanitary than plain soap. I refuse to use them because I think they create more problems than they solve in the big picture, they contribute to the proliferation of drug-resistant bacteria. I've also read many things that say both peppermint and lavender oils are naturally anti-microbial, and conveniently enough, Dr. B's comes in both peppermint and lavender (and others). It's also cheap if you dilute it - we mix it at a concentration of about 3 parts water to one part soap. It's pure soap with only essential oils added, none of the weird stuff they put in most brands of liquid soap, and it's also made from organic oils.
