Patent ID: 6846498

Claim:
An aqueous antimicrobial composition for disinfecting or sanitizing surfaces, comprising: (a) about 0.5% to 10% by volume of at least one essential oil exhibiting antimicrobial properties in a water carrier; (b) about 2 to 12% by volume of a solvent sufficient to form an aqueous mixture of the essential oils in the water carrier; (c) sufficient water to make up 100% by volume; (d) about 1 to 1000 ppm of an ion agent for introducing ions into the water, wherein the ions enhance the antimicrobial properties of the at least one essential oil, and wherein the ion agent is selected from a group consisting of copper sulfate, cupric carbonate and colloidal silver; and (e) wherein the composition is non-toxic and does not include any antimicrobially effective amounts of peroxygen bleach, hydrogen peroxide, glutaraldehyde or quaternary ammonium.