If anything positive came out of the COVID pandemic, it is the greater awareness everyone seems to have about germs. We have noticed this greater awareness among customers concerned about their countertops harboring bacteria.
Bacteria is a real concern in the kitchen. After all, the kitchen is the place where we prepare our food. The last thing we want is a countertop that does double duty as a food preparation surface and a home to germs. But is there any way to tell that a countertop is harboring bacteria?
Bacteria Is Not Easily Seen
Bacteria are microscopic organisms that cannot be seen with the naked eye – at least on an individual basis. Moreover, the damage bacteria can cause isn’t easily seen either. So if you’re just looking at a countertop and wondering, what you see probably won’t tell you much of anything. But let’s not stop there.
You can look at a countertop for signs that it is a good bacteria host. In other words, while you may not be able to see the bacteria itself, you can see certain features that promote bacterial growth. Here are some examples:
- Visible Damage – Visibly damaged areas tend to be inviting to bacteria. So look for cracks, chips, and scratches. They can become bacteria hotspots if they aren’t addressed.
- Worn Sealant – If your kitchen is rocking marble, granite, or quartzite countertops, the chances are pretty good that they have been sealed. Take a good look to see if you notice any areas of worn sealant. Worn sealant is susceptible to bacterial growth.
- Areas of Moisture – Your countertops may have a few low spots that become areas of moisture collection whenever the surface gets wet. Moisture is something bacteria love. Make sure your countertops never collect moisture, and this will not be a problem.
- Discoloration and Stains – In some rare cases, a discoloration or odd-looking stain could actually be accumulating bacteria. Or it could just be an unidentified food your teenage son spilled on the counter in the middle of the night and didn’t clean up.
Most antibacterial cleaning solutions can be safely used on kitchen countertops. If you are looking to replace your counters, we’d like to make a recommendation: quartz. Quartz is a manufactured material and, compared to some other options, more hygienic.
A Nonporous Surface
Although we love marble, granite, and quartzite, one of the downsides of natural stone is that it is porous. That’s why we recommend sealing natural stone countertops. Sealant prevents moisture and other substances from penetrating pores. Quartz is a different material altogether.
Quartz is manufactured by combining quartz minerals with resins and dyes. As a manufactured product, it is nonporous. That makes it ideal as a countertop material when preventing bacterial growth is a priority. Bacteria find quartz much less hospitable than natural stone.
Although quartz is capable of fending off bacteria as-is, some manufacturers apply a secondary antibacterial coating just to be sure. You get all the protection of quartz along with an extra sealant that makes it very difficult for bacteria to find a home.
Proper Maintenance Is Your Best Bet
You cannot see bacteria with the naked eye. Sometimes you can’t even see the damage it causes. The good news is that you can keep bacteria at bay by practicing good maintenance techniques.
Whether your countertops are natural stone, quartz, laminate, or any other material, be sure to address water and spills immediately. Reseal your stone countertops according to the manufacturer’s schedule. And if you ever notice cracks, chips, or scratches, make sure to have them repaired as soon as possible. Consider visiting our Utah showrooms if you’re ever in the market for custom countertop installation in your home.
