Active 12, lactic acid or chlorhexidine digluconate-contg. disinfectants were used at 37 degrees C for 24 h to inhibit the growth of the Enterococcus bacteria. The chlorhexidine digluconatecontg. disinfectants were most effective, both undild. and double dud. The effectiveness of other disinfectants strongly decreased with increasing degree of their diln.