The hydrophilic portion of an isothiouronium surfactant is provided by the isothiouronium group, i.e., wherein R' is a long chain, monovalent hydrophobic radical having from 8 to 25 carbon atoms, R and R individually are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R and R individually are alkyl or bydroxyalkyl having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or are combined in one divalent radical havin