BACKGROUND Gliding electric discharge (GlidArc) in humid air produces a nonthermal plasma that is efficient for cleaning up contaminated media. However, beyond decontamination, plasma can have significant impacts on the surface of the contaminated material. It has been shown that even distilled water exposed to plasma GlidArc (plasma-activated water) has antimicrobial properties. This study reports on the performance of GlidArc plasma-activated water for the decontamination of solid surfaces. RESULTS Water activated for 5 min with plasma GlidArc contains reactive nitrogen and oxygenated species (nitrites, hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite). Scanning electron microscopy images showed strong cell damage on four types of microorganisms adhering to stainless steel and polyethylene surfaces, two materials widely used in food industry and hospital environments. The level of cell damage correlated with the quantitative lethal study. Atomic force microscopy images showed that the materials did not exhibit a considerable change (< 2%) to their surface topography after treatment in contrast to effect of bleach (41%), a conventional disinfecting solution. CONCLUSION This study confirmed the potential of plasma-activated water as a means of microbial decontamination without affecting the surface of previously contaminated materials. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical Industry