How to Clean Countertops

A hand holds a blue sponge to wipe a light green countertop, a white a green textured towel in the foreground.

Cleaning and disinfecting countertops is key to maintaining a healthy home. Learn how to safely remove greasy food stains and kill germs on your kitchen counters, with or without bleach.

More from Clorox experts
By Mary Gagliardi

It’s hard to top the germ-killing power of bleach to disinfect surfaces like kitchen counters, but there is a great bleach-free alternative. Our Free & Clear products are formulated without dyes, bleach or ammonia, and they’re safe around food,* so you can confidently eliminate greasy stains and disinfect surfaces in your kitchen, no rinse required.

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Disinfecting with bleach

What you need

Steps to disinfect kitchen counters with bleach

  1. Clear the counter

    Set aside canisters, countertop appliances and anything else taking up space on the counter.

    A blue subway tile backsplash with a clean speckled stone countertop.

  2. Pre-clean the counter

    If needed, use a paper towel dampened with water to wipe any obvious crumbs or grime off the counter before the disinfecting step.

    A fair-skinned hand uses a white paper towel to wipe small black splatters off a shiny surface.

  3. Prepare the disinfecting bleach and water solution

    Measure 1 gallon of water (16 cups) into the plastic dishpan, and then add 1/3 cup bleach to the water.

    A simple closeup shot of clear liquid being poured out of a clean glass.

  4. Apply the disinfecting bleach solution

    While wearing gloves, use the sponge to apply the bleach and water solution to the counter until it is completely wet. Reapply the solution as needed to keep the counter wet for 6 minutes.

    Tip

    Counter must remain wet for 6 minutes to disinfect.

    A yellow-gloved hand uses a large green sponge to scrub a gray tile surface with soapy suds surrounding.

  5. Rinse

    Thoroughly rinse away the bleach solution with clean water.

    Hand pressing down on yellow sponge.

  6. Air dry

    Allow the countertop to air dry completely before replacing appliances and canisters.

    open window ventilation

Disinfecting with Free & Clear

What you need

Steps to disinfect countertops with Free & Clear

  1. Clear the counter

    Set aside canisters, countertop appliances and anything else taking up space on the counter.

    A blue subway tile backsplash with a clean speckled stone countertop.

  2. Pre-clean the counter

    If needed, wipe away obvious dirt or grime from the countertop with Clorox™ Free & Clear Compostable Cleaning Wipes before the disinfecting step. Or spray with Clorox™ Free and Clear Multi-Surface Spray Cleaner and wipe clean with a paper towel before disinfecting.

    Tip

    No rinsing is required after cleaning with Free & Clear cleaning products.

    A fair-skinned hand uses a white paper towel to wipe small black splatters off a shiny surface.

  3. Disinfect

    Hold Clorox™ Free & Clear Disinfecting Mist 6-8 inches from the surface of the counter and spray until thoroughly wet.

    Tip

    Surface must remain visibly wet for 2 minutes to disinfect.

    Hand spraying Clorox Free & Clear Disinfecting Mist at downward angle on neutral background.

  4. Air dry

    No rinsing is required. Allow the countertop to air dry completely before replacing canisters and appliances.

    open window ventilation
  • *

    When used as directed.