An alcohol- or glycol-soluble, water-insoluble, disinfectant composition and a method of using the same for disinfecting and for providing a prolonged antimicrobial property to a variety of surfaces, including skin. The composition comprises (1) at least one glycol or a mixture of at least one glycol and an alcohol and (2) an antimicrobial polymer that is capable of imparting an antimicrobial property to a surface without the use of a metal or a metal-containing compound. The composition is applied to a surface and allowed to evaporate leaving a coating of antimicrobial polymer on the substrate. Alternatively, the composition is incorporated into or within the substrate
