Antimicrobial compositions having a rapid antiviral and antibacterial effectiveness, and a persistent antiviral effectiveness, are disclosed. The antimicrobial compositions contain (a) an antimicrobial agent, (b) a disinfecting alcohol, and (c) (i) an organic acid, (ii) an inorganic salt comprising a cation having a valence of 2, 3, or 4 and a counterion capable of lowering a surface pH to about 5 or less, (iii) an aluminum, zirconium, or aluminum-zirconium complex, or (iv) mixtures thereof, wherein the composition has a pH of about 5 or less.