Layered phyllosilicates are useful for adsorbing and/or binding to and, thereby, inactivating viruses. Accordingly, provided herein is a method of inhibiting transfer of a virus to a surface comprising contacting the surface with a composition comprising a layered phyllosilicate material in an amount sufficient for inhibiting the transfer of the virus thereto. Also provided are methods of inactivating a virus on a surface comprising contacting the surface with a composition comprising a layered phyllosilicate material in an amount sufficient to inactivate said virus.