What Kitchen Countertop Materials Are Most Virus Resistant?
Virus Resistant Kitchen Countertop Materials
Which Material, Quartz, Granite, or Natural Stone, Is Safer?
Today, more than ever, your home is indeed your family's sanctuary, and your kitchen is its heart. It's where you gather with family and friends, and it's more important than ever before that it is one of the cleanest spaces in your home.
Staying healthy is all about prevention. From eating healthily, getting plenty of fresh air and exercise, to sleeping enough to feel rested, all are important factors to staying healthy. That means washing your hands frequently, cover up coughs and sneezes, and wiping down the surfaces in our home to keep them sanitary.
There are many areas in your home that can collect and harbor bacteria, including doorknobs and shower curtains. In the kitchen, the large flat expanse of your countertops is a natural place for germs to settle. Add to that moisture and food prep, constant touching, and placing food items on the countertop, and you've got the potential for contamination.
View Our Selection Of Granite, Quartz, and Natural Stone
Today, we're all concerned with the novel coronavirus, but the fact is, there are plenty of other common germs you need to protect yourself from in the kitchen where food is prepared. E. coli, salmonella, and listeria are common bacteria that can cause illness, and keeping your kitchen clean includes wiping down surfaces, and cleaning cutting boards, dirty dishes, and pots and pans immediately.
Today, many people are asking us about kitchen countertop materials and which are the most virus-resistant. Here is some information on various countertop materials and their resistance to these common kitchen viruses and bacteria.
Virus Resistant Countertops: Natural and Manmade Materials
The truth is, many beautiful natural materials, including natural stone and wood, are porous. If left untreated, bacteria can flourish in the tiny recesses on these types of surfaces when they find food, moisture, and a comfortable temperature.
To minimize bacteria, viruses, and other problems like fungus and mold, you need to treat natural materials by sealing the surface or consider a "non-porous" countertop like quartz or solid surface material. Beyond being free of the naturally occurring cracks, divots, or fissures you'd expect to find, this human-made surface is less prone to etching or staining.
Let's look at Granite, Marble, and Quartz in terms of their ability to resist bacteria and viruses.
• Granite Countertops
Gorgeous and nearly impenetrable, granite is highly resistant to scratching, cracking, and staining and is impervious to heat. Daily wear and tear pose no problems with granite countertops, and it's immune to damage from the most common household acids.
However, like any natural stone, granite is porous and susceptible to liquids penetrating the surface. Consequently, it means that germs, bacteria, and mold can also invade its surface. Experts recommend resealing your granite countertops annually, and all granite countertops should be sealed when they are installed. If you use a penetrating sealer, it can help to make your countertop virus resistant. While no sealer offers 100 percent protection, regular sealing can prevent granite countertops from harboring dangerous bacteria.
• Marble Countertops
Marble is smooth, cool, beautiful, and, while porous, is when properly sealed is very resistant to porosity problems. However, it is much softer and less durable than granite. Because it is softer than granite, marble is prone to etching from acidic liquids.
Like granite, marble needs to be sealed upon installation and every year to keep it free from bacteria. When sealing marble a couple of things to keep in mind, the most effective sealants are those with no volatile organic compounds or VOCs. Also, if not sealed previous to installation, marble will soak up sealant like a sponge. This means that when initially sealing marble, multiple applications are necessary to maximize protection. However, if adequately sealed, initially, maintained, and resealed annually, marble offers a high level of virus resistance.
• Quartz Countertops
If your primary goal is ultra-clean, virus-resistant countertops, you need to check out quartz. Quartz is a humanmade material consisting of 92 to 94% natural stone and stone dust, mixed with polymers and resin. The resulting material is non-porous, making it impossible for germs to penetrate the surface. To clean up, just wipe the surface with an anti-bacterial cleaner, and you know it's truly clean.
Quartz is not only the cleanest of the most popular countertop surfaces. It's available in a broader range of colors that stone, and delivering all of the style of marble, combined with the durability of granite, but with absolutely no porosity.
The Bottom Line On Virus Resistant Countertops
While marble and granite are aesthetically beautiful, durable, and functional, they require proper sealing at installation and ongoing maintenance, including resealing annually to prevent bacteria from infiltrating the surface of the material. The good news is with proper ongoing maintenance, natural stone or marble will last for years and give you a lifetime of service.
If you are seeking a material that is 100% non-porous, virus, and bacteria-resistant, and requires little more than maintenance than wiping down your counters with an anti-bacterial cleaner, quartz is a perfect choice.
About StoneLink Marble & Granite
If you live in the greater Boston Metrowest or the greater Worcester area and have any questions or would like to learn more about granite, quartz, marble, or any other countertop materials, give the experts at StoneLink Marble & Granite a call at (508) 393-0720. Let us help you choose the perfect kitchen or bathroom countertop material to meet your needs.