A composition for generating chlorine dioxide comprises active ingredients, a suitable hydrophobic compound, and a suitable super absorbent compound. A suitable hydrophobic compound will, among other characteristics, repel the solvent for at least the initial 30 seconds of exposure thereto. A suitable super absorbent compound will, among other characteristics, absorb at least 75 times its weight in solvent and will not gel until the chlorine-dioxide generating reaction is substantially complete.