Abstract: Methods of virucidal disinfection with virucidal disinfectants containing an active quantity of salts of metals of the alkaline earth metals, alkali metals, earth metals and/or metals of the first, second or third secondary group of the periodic system of elements in the form of a solution in water and/or alcohol are provided. The virucidal activity of alcohols or alcohol/water mixtures with a total alcohol concentration of 40 to 90% and preferably 50 to 80% can be considerably increased by addition of base- or acid-hydrolyzed salts of metal ions of the earth metal and meta metal group of the periodic system of elements in quantities of 0.1 to 1% by weight and preferably in quantities of 0.2 to 0.6% by weight. Normally ineffectual alcohol mixtures or alcohol/water mixtures thus develop far-reaching virucidal activity. The disinfectants may also contain small quantities of substances for improving compatibility with the skin, wetting agents and corrosion inhibitors.