An antimicrobial composition containing hydrogen peroxide is disclosed. The composition is non-corrosive to surgical instruments and contains 4%-7% hydrogen peroxide, 0.1% to 0.3% of a chelating agent, 0.1% of a water soluble zinc compound, 0.1% to 0.3% of a sodium cocoyl sarcosinate or is fatty acid-based analogs, an anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of sodium n-decyl diphenylether disulfonate or sodium lauryl sulfate and a buffer system to maintain the pH of the composition in a pH range of from 4 to 6.
