The invention relates to polymeric systems for stabilizing, storing and delivering hypohalide salts. One system consists of material coated with two layers: one prepared from polyethylene glycol epoxide and melamine solution and second prepared from inorganic hypohalide salt solution. The material can be fabric, cotton, bamboo, cellulosic materials, blend of cellulosic and synthetic fibres. Antimicrobial materials comprising this system are also described. Another system consists of material containing pre-formed spaces coated with water-polyethylene glycol solution of hypohalide salt and encapsulated by film forming polymer. Hypohalide salts within both systems are in some cases storage stable for at least three months.