Methods and compositions effective for at least a week for prevention ofmicrobial colony growth on a surface, for example an inanimate surface, wherethe surface is covered with a dry or substantially dry film formed from acomposition comprising a polyvinyl alcohol and a quaternary ammonium compound.The film may be formed in situ by coating the surface with a solution oremulsion comprising a polyvinyl alcohol and a quaternary ammonium compound andthen causing or allowing it to dry or substantially dry.
