The Best Countertop Materials to Stop Germs

Posted on May 27th, 2020

Even the cleanest kitchen can quickly become susceptible to harmful bacterias including salmonella, E. coli, listeria, and even viruses like the norovirus which are the most common cause of foodborne illnesses. Left to its own vices, these germs can quickly grow and spread to other parts of the kitchen, or worse - to your food. The type of countertop you have can have a big impact in the prevention of spreading these germs.

Unfortunately, not all countertop materials are equal when it comes to preventing germs. Surfaces like marble or granite are porous which means they have microscopic holes that can harbor bacteria and viruses even after being cleaned. Other materials like tile may offer similar recesses for germs to hide and flourish. To prevent the presence of harmful bacteria, viruses, and other undesirable germs, we suggest choosing a non-porous surface for your kitchen. Not only are these surfaces free of pores or cracks, they are also stain-resistant and scratch-resistant.

Quartz Countertops

Engineered quartz countertops are man-made stone countertops formed by combining 90% natural minerals with 10% resins, polymers, and pigments. The result is a very hard, sustainable surface that resists staining and etching, and is non-porous so bacteria has nowhere to hide. Choose from a variety of beautiful looks from popular brands like Cambria & DuPont Zodiaq, including natural stones like white and black marble. The possibilities are limitless. Plus, quartz countertops are super easy to maintain. Just use a soft, non-abrasive cleaning cloth with warm water and soap.

Solid Surface

Developed by the chemical geniuses at DuPont, Corian® solid surfaces blend pure acrylic resin with natural minerals to create a non-porous surface that resists stains, mildew and mold, and harmful germs similar to quartz countertops. Since solid surface countertops are completely engineered, they can be just about any shape or color you imagine them to be. All you need to keep your Corian countertops clean is warm, soapy water, ammonia-based household cleaner, or a dedicated countertop clean. Be sure to avoid window cleaners which can leave a waxy build-up that will dull the surface.

Check out our beautiful selection of colors and designs of both quartz and solid surface countertops at our Countertops page.