Seventeen propanolamines, six diisopropanolamines, and two butanolamines were studied for their antimicrobial properties against a mixed flora of fungi and bacteria in cutting fluids. All of the propanolamines showed inhibitory properties in the lubricants. Isopropanolamines were found to have very weak antimicrobial properties, and both butanolamine compounds were inhibitory. The most active compound found was L-2-methylamino-1-phenolpropanol, but other chemicals including DL-2-benzylamino-1-propanol, 3-diethylamino-1-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, 2-dimethylamino-2-methyl-1-propanol, 1-dimethylamino-3-propanol, and 3-amino-1-propanol all showed good antimicrobial properties in the products.