The present application discloses a method of making a surface antimicrobial by coating or forming a surface with a silver (I) periodate as well as articles of manufacture comprising a silver (I) periodate. The present application also discloses a method of preventing or reducing microbial contamination on a substrate by coating the substrate with at least one silver (I) periodate. The substrate can be a wound dressing, a medical instrument, a medical device, a metallic article, a plant or a seed.
