Abstract: What is provided herein is a stabilized, aqueous, film-forming, antimicrobial composition of hydrogen peroxide. The active, oxygen-generating hydrogen peroxide component in the composition is stabilized in an aqueous-polyol solvent system of predetermined polarity containing PVP. In contrast, similar formulations without PVP experienced a loss of peroxide activity upon standing. Suitably, the composition herein includes about 1-20% by weight hydrogen peroxide, about 0.1-50% by weight PVP, and about 0.1-80% by weight of a polyol, the rest being water. Preferably, about 5-20% by weight of water is present in the composition. Additional solvents may be included therein, such as alcohols, ether oxides, esters, triglycerides of fatty acids, hydrocarbons, N-vinyl lactams, silicone oils, and polyether oligomers.