Patent ID: 8911755

Claim:
A method of killing or inhibiting a microorganism or a pathogen, the method comprising contacting the microorganism or the pathogen with an effective amount of a composition comprising: (a) ethylhexyl sulfate of the formula or a salt thereof; and (b) an alkylbenzenesulfonic acid of the formula or a salt thereof, wherein n is about 5 to about 20; and (c) a carrier comprising water; wherein the ethylhexyl sulfate, or salt thereof, and the alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, or salt thereof, are present in a weight ratio such that based upon a weight basis, the amount of ethylhexyl sulfate, or salt thereof, is at least 100% that of the alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, or salt thereof, and is no more than 300% of the alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, or salt thereof; wherein the composition further comprises at least one of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide such that the pH of the composition contacting the microorganism or pathogen is above about 6; wherein the composition does not comprise chlorine dioxide; for a period of time effective to kill or inhibit the microorganism or the pathogen.