The interaction of a number of commonly used preservatives (benzoic acid, p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, methyl p‐hydroxybenzoate, propyl p‐hydroxybenzoate and chloroxylenol with the non‐ionic surfactant cetomacrogol was examined and a comparison made of various methods of expressing this interaction. It is suggested that the Scatchard equation is the most satisfactory equation for describing the binding data. Binding parameters determined from a Scatchard plot in the concentration range of free preservative appropriate for antimicrobial activity can be used to calculate the total concentration of preservative required in the surfactant system.