Use of a liquid composition comprising at least two agents selected from lactic acid, salicylic acid, benzyl alcohol, and/or low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol having less than five carbon atoms for the manufacture of an antimicrobial solution is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the antimicrobial solution is formulated as a teat dip for lactating animals, particularly cows. The composition may be used as a prophylactic treatment or for wound healing, and is particularly useful against mastitis. The antimicrobial compositions may be used in personal care, hard surface care including hard surface disinfection in households, food processing, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, showers, or topically as hand soaps, surgical scrubs, and hoof disease mitigators.