A single-part aqueous, storage stable, antimicrobial film-forming composition comprising a major portion of water, an antimicrobially effective amount of a cationic germicidal agent having the structure (R) (R.sub.1) (R.sub.2) (R.sub.3) N.sup.+ X.sup.-, wherein R, R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.3 are independently selected from groups including benzyl, alkyl, benzyl, halo benzyl, C.sub.1-14 alkyl, C.sub.5-24 alkyl or C.sub.1-4 hydroxyalkyl and X.sup.- represents an anion capable of imparting water solubility or dispersability to the compound, and a stoichemetrically effective amount of acid functional anionic polymer, wherein said cationic germicidal agent and anionic polymer remain dissolved as a homogeneous aqueous solution until used.