An antimicrobial composition containing a cationic polymer having limited antimicrobial activity (such as a hydrophobically-modified quaternary ammonium cellulose ether) and an antimicrobial compound (such as one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of diiodomethyl-para-tolylsulfone, ortho-phenylphenol, sodium pyrithione, zinc pyrithione, 3-iodo-2-propynylbutylcarbamate, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 1,2- benzisothiazolin-3 -one, 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 1-(3-chloroallyl)-3 ,5,7-triaza-1-azoniaadamantane chloride, 2-(4-thiazoly)-benzimidazole, ss-bromo-ss-mtrostyrene, 2,4,4'-trichloro-2-hydroxyphenyl ether, chloroxylenol, chlorocresol, para-tert-amylphenol, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N'-(3,4 dichlorophenyl)-urea, and para-hydroxybenzoic acid esters). The growth of microorganisms (such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa) can be inhibited by exposing the microorganism to such a composition.