Abstract: Cleaning compositions that include carvacrol, in an amount sufficient to provide an antimicrobial effect. For example, the compositions can include 0.1% to 2% by weight of carvacrol. The cleaning compositions advantageously further include a surfactant, particularly an anionic surfactant, which enhances the antimicrobial efficacy characteristics of the carvacrol. For example, the composition can include at least 0.1%, at least 0.3%, or at least 0.5% of one or more anionic surfactants. Alkyl sulfates (e.g., C8 to C12 alkyl sulfates) are particularly suitable. A buffer may also be present. The compositions may have a relatively high pH, e.g., 9 to 12. The cleaning composition may exhibit a significant log reduction against a target microorganism (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus and/or others) within a given time period (e.g., 10 minutes, 5 minutes, or the like), when used on a target surface.