Methods and compositions for controlling microbial growth on a surface are disclosed. A method includes exposing the surface to be treated to electromagnetic radiation, the electromagnetic radiation being emitted from one or more electromagnetic radiation sources towards the surface, wherein the surface is provided with one or more photosensitizers being activatable by electromagnetic radiation. The electromagnetic radiation emitted from the one or more electromagnetic radiation sources has a wavelength in a range between 400 nm and 800 nm, and the one or more photosensitizers exhibit antimicrobial efficacy upon activation by electromagnetic radiation. A surface with one or more photosensitizers being activatable by electromagnetic radiation, one or more sources arranged to emit electromagnetic radiation towards the surface, wherein the one or more sources emit electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in a range between 400 nm and 800 nm, and wherein the one or more photosensitizers exhibiting antimicrobial efficacy upon activation.
