The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved a 32 ppm silver composition of the present invention as a broad spectrum surface disinfectant for use in hospitals, medical environments, residential homes, commercial buildings, and businesses. It has been approved for use against some of the most deadly pathogens including: Gram-positive bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (presently considered to be the most deadly bacteria in U.S. hospitals), Gram-negative bacteria, such as Salmonella choleraesuis (responsible for food poisoning), and nosocomial or hospital-acquired pathogens, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (often found in burns and cuts).

Silver compositions of the present invention can be sprayed in and around occupied areas without endangering the lives of people. One can disinfect surfaces selected from the group consisting of walls, tables, chairs, light fixtures, bathrooms, glass, porcelain, metal, glazed ceramic, enameled and painted by means of spraying or by means of wiping with a silver composition of the present invention. A preferred method of disinfecting comprises one or more of the steps of cleaning the surface to be disinfected, applying, by means of a spray, mop, sponge, or cloth, a composition of the present invention, thoroughly wetting the area to be disinfected, allowing the surface to remain wet for at least 10 minutes at a temperature of at least 20.degree. C. (time/temperature interrelation can be adjusted via the Arrhenius equation or other means known to one of ordinary skill), and wiping the surface with a clean paper or cloth towel. Compositions for disinfecting surfaces comprise those comprising 5 to 40 ppm silver. A preferred composition of the present invention for disinfecting surfaces comprises (32.+-.3) ppm silver. Another preferred composition of the present invention for disinfecting surfaces comprises (10.+-.2) ppm silver. Another preferred composition of the present invention for disinfecting surfaces comprises (22.+-.2) ppm silver.