Generation of peroxyformic acid through polyhydric alcohol formate

A method for treating a target comprising:

• contacting a wipe with a first reagent comprising an ester of a polyhydric alcohol and formic acid;
• (ii) a second reagent comprising hydrogen peroxide or a substance that generates hydrogen peroxide when in contact with a liquid;
• and (iii) a formed liquid comprising peroxyformic acid and having a pH of 8 or less without requiring an additional acidulant to form a saturated wipe, wherein the first reagent reacts with the second reagent to generate the formed liquid comprising peroxyformic acid;
• and
• contacting a target with the saturated wipe to form a treated target composition;
• wherein the treated target composition comprises from about 0.1 ppm to about 10,000 ppm peroxyformic acid;
• and
• wherein the contacting the target lasts for at least 10 seconds to reduce a microbial population in and/or on the target.