NOVELTY - Method for reducing or inhibiting microbial growth in an aqueous composition comprises adding an antimicrobial agent (I) comprising 1,2-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol or 2,2,4,4-tetramethyl-1,3-cyclobutanediol, to the composition.    USE - (I) is useful for reducing or inhibiting microbial growth in an aqueous composition. (I) is useful in a personal care product (hand soaps, hand sanitizers, body washes, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, face creams, body lotions, underarm deodorants, mouthwash, toothpaste, cosmetics, contact lens solutions, hair styling products, acne treatment products, fragrances, and foot, sock, or shoe deodorizing compositions), animal care product (shampoos, conditioners, and fragrances), household care product (surface cleaners, air or surface deodorizers, laundry care products, dishwashing detergents, and rinse aids), and a medicated product (acne treatment products, wound care products, and transdermal patches). (I) is useful for: providing residual antimicrobial activity to a surface; preventing or treating a bacterial or fungal infection on a mammalian surface; and preventing or reducing odor from the presence of bacteria or fungi on a mammalian surface. (I) is useful for providing antimicrobial activity to a film, fiber, molded or extruded article, or composite material made of fibers, polymers, adhesives, and/or gypsum (all claimed). The antimicrobial properties of (I) (1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol) was tested against E. coli. The results showed that, after 30 days, the minimum inhibitory concentration of (I) was less than 20 wt.%.    ADVANTAGE - (I) is safe; effective, preferably at lower concentrations; causes minimal allergic reaction, irritation and dryness at the effective concentrations; and has a high degree of solubility in water at ambient or near ambient conditions.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are included for:    (1) a composition comprising: a fuel or oil comprising diesel, biodiesel, a mixture of diesel and biodiesel, aviation fuel, hydraulic oil, lubrication oil, vegetable oil, crude oil, transmission fluid, heating oil or kerosene; and (I);    (2) a personal care product or animal care product or a household care product comprising 1-5 wt.% of (I);    (3) a medicated product comprising: a medicinal substance; and 1-5 wt.% of (I);    (4) a method for providing residual antimicrobial activity to a surface or preventing or treating a bacterial or fungal infection on a mammalian surface or preventing or reducing odor from the presence of bacteria or fungi on a mammalian surface, comprising topically applying the product to the surface or mammalian surface; and optionally removing any excess amounts of the product from the surface or mammalian surface; and    (5) a method-1 for providing antimicrobial activity to a film, fiber, molded or extruded article, or composite material made of fibers, polymers, adhesives, and/or gypsum, comprising incorporating (I) into the film, fiber, molded or extruded article, or composite material during its manufacturing process.