The frequency and the extent of the disinfection of inani› mate surfaces are dependent on the risk potential. The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) makes a distinction between routine, daily disinfection on a hospital bed and specific surface disinfection in particular situations. 

[0018] Preferably, the disinfectant according to the inven› tion does not contain organic acids apart from acetic acid, lactic acid, propionic acid, tartaric acid, benzoic acid or mixtures thereof. It is also possible to use the sodium and potassium salts of the acids in order to buffer the pH of the solution. Preference is given here to sodium acetate and sodium benzoate. Particularly preferably, the disinfectant according to the invention contains a combination selected from acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid and sodium benzoate and, more particularly, no sorbic acid and no C6-C12 fatty acids are present. 

[0019] Unless specified otherwise, all the concentrations specified for the organic acids are based in each case on 100% acid. Preferably, according to the invention, the prepa› ration of the disinfectant compositions uses commercially available 90% lactic acid, 99% propionic acid, 99% ( + )› tartaric acid, 99% sodium benzoate and 100% acetic acid. 

[0020] Instead of the free acid, the salt of an organic acid can also be added to the disinfectant composition. This has the advantage that the pH can be regulated without further pH regulators. Moreover, there is the option of adding a strong acid, for example hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, to produce the free acid from a salt. 

[0021] In the disinfectant according to the invention, the individual components, if present, are preferably present in the following amounts. 

Lactic acid 0.05-3% by weight, preferably 0.5-1.5% by weight 

Tartaric acid 0.1-2% by weight, 0.5-1% by weight 

Acetic acid 0.1-5% by weight, 0.5-3% by weight 

Propionic acid 0.1-5% by weight, 0.5-3% by weight 

Sodium benzoate 0.1-2% by weight, 0.1-1% by weight 

Sodium acetate 0.1-5% by weight, 0.2-1% by weight 

Propylene glycol 0.1-3% by weight, 0.2-1% by weight 

Hexyl carbitol 0.1-3% by weight, 0.2-1 % by weight 

[0022] The disinfectant according to the invention is pref› erably present as a ready-to-use, aqueous solution for dis› infection (application solution). The application solution is prepared by dilution of a disinfectant concentrate according to the invention with water. In this case, the disinfectant according to the invention contains preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight, particularly preferably 0.5 to 8.0% by weight, fur› ther particularly preferably 2.0 to 6.0% by weight, of the concentrate and water. 

[0023] In one embodiment, the disinfectant according to the invention consists of 

[0024] 0.1-10% by weight of at least two organic acids selected from acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid and tartaric acid or a combination of these, 

[0025] 0.1-10% by weight of sodium benzoate, 

[0026] auxiliaries, for example surfactants, solubilizers and 

[0027] water 

wherein the components add up to 100% by weight. 

[0028] According to the invention, the object is further achieved by a disinfectant concentrate for the preparation of the disinfectant according to the invention for the disinfec› tion of inanimate surfaces, containing 

[0029] 0.1-85% by weight of at least three organic acids or the salts thereof selected from the group consisting of acetic acid, propionic acid, tartaric acid, benzoic acid and lactic acid, 

[0030] a solvent, preferably water, and 

[0031] optionally solubilizers selected from glycols, glycol ethers or a mixture thereof, 

wherein the specified amounts are based in each case on the total amount of the concentrate. 

[0032] In the disinfectant concentrate according to the invention, the amount of each individual organic acid is preferably not more than 50% by weight and the total amount of acids is not more than 85% by weight. 

[0033] In one embodiment, the disinfectant concentrate according to the invention consists of 

[0034] 0.1-15% lactic acid, 

[0035] 0.1-50% by weight of acetic acid, 

[0036] 0.1-50% by weight of propionic acid, 

[0037] wherein the sum of acetic acid and propionic acid is between 15% by weight and 60% by weight, 

[0038] 0-25% by weight of sodium benzoate, 

[0039] 0-6% by weight of tartaric acid, 

[0040] 0-15% by weight of sodium acetate 

[0041] optionally solvent and 

[0042] optionally auxiliaries ( disinfection additives) selected from: pH regulators, surfactants, solubilizers, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, fragrances, complexing agents, wherein the components add up to 100% by weight and the total amount of acids is at least 21 % by weight. 

[0043] In a further preferred embodiment, the disinfectant concentrate according to the invention consists of 

[0044] 21-85% by weight of at least three organic acids selected from 

[0045] 0.1-50% by weight of acetic acid, 

[0046] 0.1-50% by weight ofpropionic acid, 

[0047] 0.1-6% by weight of tartaric acid, 

[0048] 0.1-30% by weight of lactic acid and 

[0049] 0.1-15% by weight of sodium benzoate, -2-20% by weight of solubilizer selected from hexyl carbitol, propylene glycol, methyl carbitol, butyl carbitol, monoethylene glycol or a combination of these and 

[0050] water, 

wherein the components add up to 100% by weight. 

[0051] In a further embodiment, the disinfectant concen› trate according to the invention consists of 

[0052] 15-45% by weight of at least two organic acids selected from acetic acid, propionic acid, lactic acid or a combination of these, 

[0053] 6-13% by weight of sodium benzoate 

[0054] auxiliaries, such as, for example, solubilizers and pH regulators 

[0055] water, 

wherein the components add up to 100% by weight. 

[0056] Preferably, the disinfectant according to the inven› tion contains as antimicrobial active ingredient the following combinations of organic acids, wherein no further organic acids are present: 

CombinationA: propionic acid, lactic acid, sodium benzoate 

Combination B: propionic acid, lactic acid, acetic acid 

Combination C: propionic acid, acetic acid, sodium benzo› ate 

Combination D: acetic acid, lactic acid, sodium benzoate 

