Abstract: A germicidal cleansing composition of matter, in semi-solid form, comprising in combination:A. at least 20 weight-% of one or two members of the group consisting of sulfated fatty alcohols (C.sub.14 to C.sub.26) and of sulfosuccinates of fatty alcohols (C.sub.12 to C.sub.24);b. between 1 weight-% and 20 weight-% of an organic iodine complex or of solubilized inorganic iodine;C. a quantity of not exceeding about 10 weight-% of water;D. at least about 20-weight-% of one or more members of the group consisting of saturated fatty alcohols (C.sub.14 to C.sub.26), saturated fatty acids (C.sub.14 to C.sub.20) and succinates or maleates of fatty alcohols (C.sub.10 to C.sub.24). Preferred iodine compounds are iodophors, such as PVP-iodine, undecoylum-chloride iodine, imidazoline iodine; or inorganic iodine compounds such as iodine and an alkali metal iodide.