Substrates having antimicrobial films or coatings adhered to a surface of the substrate and methods for replenishing the antimicrobial activity of films or coatings adhered to substrate surfaces are disclosed. The antimicrobial films and coatings comprise a strongly basic anion-exchange resin and an anion bound to the strongly basic anion-exchange resin, the anion being free of transition metals. The methods involve exposing a film or coating to an anion having antimicrobial activity, the anion being free of transition metals, and the film or coating comprising a strongly basic anion-exchange resin, thereby obtaining an antimicrobial film or coating comprising the anion bound to the strongly basic anion-exchange resin.