Are Quartz Counters A Germ-Free Surface?

Staying healthy is about prevention — eating nutritious food, getting plenty of fresh air and exercise, sleeping enough to feel rested. Another important factor, of course, is preventing the spread of illness. That means washing our hands frequently, covering coughs and sneezes, and wiping down surfaces in the home to keep them sanitary. 

Your home has many “hot spots” that are prone to collecting bacteria, such as doorknobs, floors, kitchen sinks, and shower curtains. Also, the flat, wide surface of bathroom and kitchen countertops makes it a natural place for germs to settle. Add to that the moisture and residue from food preparation, the constant touching, and placing of items on the countertop, and you’ve got trouble. 

There are several reasons why bathroom and kitchen countertops could rank among the dirtiest places in your home: 

• They are often wiped down with sponges and cloths that harbor bacteria, which just spreads the germs. This tends to be especially true near sinks. 
• Cross-contamination from not properly cleaning up after food preparation. 
• Bathroom countertops can collect airborne bacteria from flushing toilets and are often touched by hands before they are washed. 
• Countertops that are made from natural stone such as granite or marble have tiny pores and scratches that can harbor bacteria, mold, and mildew. 

The solution? Quartz counters. 

If ultra-clean countertops are important to you and your family, you will appreciate quartz countertops. The engineered surface is poreless, making it nearly impossible for germs to penetrate the surface. When you wipe the counter with an antibacterial cleanser, you know it truly is clean. 

If you are trying to choose between granite vs. quartz countertops, keep in mind that even with a good sealer, granite is not going to be nonporous. That means spills need to be cleaned up right away before they penetrate the surface. It’s also much more prone to scratching than a quartz countertop. 

In fact, quartz counters have such a strong reputation for being hygienic that MSI’s modern quartz has been certified by Seal-K, a non-profit organization that provides Kosher certification for products and facilities. Although this is a religious designation, one of the main purposes of keeping Kosher is to promote cleanliness in food preparation. 

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The quartz countertop cost is comparable to natural stone, and often a bit less. But perhaps the most attractive reason to choose quartz counters is that it never needs sealing to maintain its nonporous qualities. All you need to do to keep it sparkling clean is to wipe it with a gentle cleanser, such as dish soap, and dry with a soft cloth. It requires no bleach or harsh chemicals that are bad for the planet — and your own indoor environment as well. 

Why not find out more about quartz countertops right now, including the incredible variety of quartz colors and patterns available for your own kitchen and bathroom? Just browse MSI’s web gallery and see how easy it is to create a countertop that’s not just gorgeous, but also a breeze to keep germ-free.