An antimicrobial composition includes an antimicrobial effective amount of a mixture including: (a) benzoic acid, or a salt thereof； (b) .delta.- gluconolactone； and, optionally, one or more of: (c) lemon grass oil； (d) cinnamaldehyde； and (e) sorbic acid, or a salt thereof； (f) erythorbic acid, or a salt thereof； (g) arabinogalactan, also known as galactoarabinan； (h) a hexahydro-iso-alpha-acid or tetrahydro-iso-alpha-acid obtained from hops extracts, or a mixture thereof； (i) Achillea fragrantissima oil. A method of killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms in or on a product or on a substrate includes applying an effective amount of the antimicrobial composition to the product or to the substrate. Uses of the antimicrobial composition include household, including personal care, industrial, or institutional applications or products.
