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Counters are subjected to everything from gritty dirt to greasy foods and soap scum. They are also touched by dozens of hands, drippy toothbrushes, and late-night snacks. Giving them a quick wipe with a paper towel may take care of a surface spill, but eventually you need a good cleaner to take care of the mess.

It's important to find a cleaner that won't damage the surface but removes grime and bacteria. Always read the product labels to make sure it is suitable for your countertop finish. This is particularly important for unsealed finishes, marble, and other stone countertops.

I've been testing all-purpose cleaners, sponges, microfiber cloths, and disposable cleaning wipes for many years as a home economist for companies and publications. I'm always looking for the most effective, easiest to use, and best value in products for myself and others. 

These are the five best countertop-cleaning solutions. In addition, I explain the best way to clean a countertop.

Best countertop cleaner overall: Clorox Scentiva Multi-Purpose Spray, $3.38 from Walmart Available in three scents, Clorox Scentiva Multi-Purpose Spray is an effective cleaner and disinfectant and can be used on sealed stone countertops.

Best countertop cleaner on a budget: Pine-Sol All-Purpose Cleaner (pack of 2), $14.79 from Amazon Pine-Sol All-Purpose Cleaner is an effective cleaner and disinfectant at a budget price.

Best disinfecting wipes for countertops: Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, $2.58 on Amazon Clorox's Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria and also combat greasy messes and stains.

Best cleaner for stone countertops: StoneTech Daily Cleaner, $15.47 from Amazon If you have granite, quartz or marble countertops, use StoneTech Daily Cleaner to keep your investment looking great.

Best environmentally friendly countertop cleaner: Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner, $3.89 from Walmart Free of fragrances, dyes, and VOCs, Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner is an effective and environmentally-friendly cleaner for countertops.

Available in three scents, Clorox Scentiva Multi-Purpose Spray is an effective cleaner and disinfectant and can be used on sealed stone countertops.

Pros: Simple-to-use spray bottle, pleasant scent without harsh chemical odor, safe to use on most nonporous surfaces, cleans tough grease and soap scum, disinfects surfaces

Cons: Areas used for food preparation must be rinsed before using

When I tried Clorox Scentiva Multi-Purpose Spray, I did so very cautiously. I knew that most Clorox products are very good cleaners, but some of the chemical smells are difficult for me. I was pleasantly surprised when I enjoyed the fresh scents of Tuscan Lavender & Jasmine, Hawaiian Sunshine, and Pacific Breeze & Coconut (my personal favorite).

After testing, I found this to be the best overall countertop cleaner because it is safe to use on so many types of countertops: stainless steel, sealed granite, laminate, sealed wood, ceramic tile, synthetic marble (it should not be used on natural marble), concrete, and quartz. It works well on both fiberglass bathroom fixtures and kitchen appliances.

Simply spray on the cleaner, wait a minute or so, and wipe away the soil with a cloth or lint-free paper towel. If you want to also disinfect surfaces, leave the cleaner on the countertop surface for 10 minutes before wiping dry with a clean cloth. 

Clorox Scentiva cuts through soap scum, grease, and grime easily. If there is a particularly yucky area, just let it work for a few minutes longer before wiping.

The one downside of the product is that for areas where the countertop is used for food preparation, you must rinse away the cleaner with water in those areas before using them for food prep.

Pine-Sol All-Purpose Cleaner is an effective cleaner and disinfectant at a budget price.

Pros: Budget-friendly, cuts through tough grease and grime, disinfects surfaces, available in multiple scents

Cons: Must be mixed with water, not available in a spray bottle

If you are willing to supply your own spray bottle and take a few minutes to mix Pine-Sol All-Purpose Cleaner with water, then you'll have an excellent budget countertop cleaner and disinfectant. (You only need 1/4 cup per gallon of water.)

I've kept a bottle of Pine-Sol under my sink since one Christmas Day, when a disposable pan sprang a leak and poured greasy ham dripping over my countertops, down the front of the cabinets, and onto the floor. After trying many different cleaners, I still had a greasy film on the countertops. Pine-Sol was the only solution that removed the film.

It also works well as a disinfectant if you allow it to remain on surfaces for 10 minutes before rinsing away. For those that don't want to be in a pine forest, Pine-Sol is now available in lemon, lavender, and tropical scents. 

Clorox's Disinfecting Wipes kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria and also combat greasy messes and stains.

Pros: Kills 99.9% of bacteria in 10 seconds; deodorizes; cleans up grease, soap scum, and grime

Cons: No unscented formula, must rinse down surfaces when used in food preparation areas, wipes dry out if you use them too long

While not the most environmentally friendly solution, it takes only a few seconds to grab a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe to clean away messes and leave the surface sparkling. The wipes offer a simple, less messy way to clean surfaces without the need for liquids and tools. 

The wipes easily remove sticky messes in the kitchen and dried-on toothpaste on bathroom countertops. They are safe to use on finished wood, sealed granite, and stainless steel.

To get the most disinfecting benefit from Clorox wipes, don't try to do an entire bathroom or kitchen with the same wipe. There must be enough disinfectant left on them to properly kill the bacteria. After wiping an area down, allow it to air-dry for at least 10 seconds so it can kill any germs.

Areas used for food preparation should be rinsed with plain water after the disinfectant dries.

If you have granite, quartz, or marble countertops, use StoneTech Daily Cleaner to keep your investment looking great.

Pros: Gentle on stone countertops, tough on dirt and grime, nontoxic, fresh scent, refillable container

Cons: Not readily available in mass-market stores

While stone countertops may seem indestructible, they are very sensitive to products, stains, and spills that contain acids. Liquids like wine, citrus juice, or vinegar should be cleaned up immediately because they can etch even sealed stone countertops. Just think what harsh chemicals like chlorine bleach or ammonia in some cleaning products could do.

I have a marble countertop, and StoneTech has been my go-to for cleaning since installation. The liquid cleans gently but effectively and prevents etching. It's recommended for marble, granite, limestone, travertine, slate, sandstone, flagstone, masonry, concrete, ceramic and porcelain tile, and grout. If you have countertops that must be resealed periodically, this cleaner will help the sealant last longer.

StoneTech Daily Cleaner comes in a refreshing scent with hints of citrus and cucumber. You can purchase it as a ready-to-use spray bottle or in one-quart or one-gallon refills. No rinsing or drying is necessary. The cleaner is non-toxic and biodegradable, which is another reason why I use it on my food-prep counter. I also recommend StoneTech's entire line of stone cleaning, revitalizing, and sealing products.

Free of fragrances, dyes, and VOCs, Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner is an effective and environmentally friendly cleaner for countertops.

Pros: Unscented, dye-free cleaner, works well in cleaning counters, environmentally friendly

Cons: Refills are not available for the spray bottle

Seventh Generation Free & Clear All-Purpose Cleaner is an environmentally friendly solution that works well in keeping countertops clean and streak-free.

Safe to use on ceramic and porcelain tile, Formica, sealed and unsealed granite, quartz, Corian, and stainless steel countertops, the water-based product easily removes sticky messes, grease, and grime. The product is never tested on animals, meets the US Department of Agriculture's requirements as a bio-based product, and is manufactured in the US.

I like that this cleaner is scent-free, especially when cleaning kitchen counters — no one needs tropical breeze-scented cheese cubes. Keep in mind that this isn't a disinfectant, so it won't kill viruses or bacteria.

Cleaning countertops isn't difficult if you use a good cleaner and the right type of cloth and do the task on a regular schedule. Waiting until countertops are coated with soap scum and dried toothpaste or coffee stains and grease will make the job much more difficult.

Start by clearing off the countertop as much as possible and use a damp cloth to remove visible debris. Take a minute to read the instructions on the back of the cleaner bottle. Some products are sprayed directly on the countertop, some need to be mixed with water, and some require rinsing. 

A spray bottle is a good tool to equally distribute the cleaner in a thin, even coat. Allow the cleaner to remain on the countertop for at least one minute before wiping away. This gives the cleaner time to loosen soil and begin to break it apart so you can wipe it away without having to scrub. To disinfect, you may have to leave the cleaner on for at least 10 minutes.

After cleaning, try to allow plenty of time for the counters to dry before replacing appliances and products. This can prevent rust marks from metal legs or cans. 

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