Abstract: Composite non-woven fabrics are disclosed. The fabrics comprise at least a first ply that is an antibacterial fibrous web, and a second ply comprising a web of non-woven non-antibacterial fibers serving as a "base structure" providing strength and dimensional stability to the fabric. Each ply adheres strongly to adjacent plies of the fabric by inter-entanglement of the fibers in the respective layers with each other, which defines an intensity gradient of antibacterial property across the thickness dimension of the fabric. The fabrics can be made sufficiently soft and mild for skin contact, and have many uses such as in clothing, medical fabrics, sheets, and the like. The fabrics have the same or a lesser amount of antibacterial fibers than prior-art non-woven antibacterial fabrics without adversely affecting strength, dimensional stability, or antibacterial efficacy.