Disclosed are latexes, suspensions, and colloids having a cationic antimicrobial compound complexed with an anionic surfactant. The surfactant may have greater affinity for the antimicrobial compound than other anionic surfactants and other anions in the latex, suspension, or colloid that contribute to disperse phase stability to prevent disrupting the dispersions. Dispersions containing the antimicrobial compound may therefore have a shelf life comparable to dispersions that are otherwise identical but lack the cationic antimicrobial compound and its complexed anionic surfactant. Coatings made with the complexes can exhibit essentially undiminished antimicrobial activity.