Help your kitchen countertops and floors stay cleaner and healthier.
Due to the global impact the hard to kill COVID-19 virus has had globally, we’ve been staying home more, and even though kitchens have always been considered “the heart of the home,” they have become even more vital and essential to daily life. A big plus of the current situation is that, in fact, we are spending more time with family and loved ones, and this means spending more time in the kitchen cooking.
If all this time spent at home has got you thinking about improving your kitchen and wondering how to make it more suitable to your lifestyle, we would recommend that you also consider creating a space that is bacteria resistant and stays clean longer.
How Do You Keep Your Kitchen Clean and Healthy?
Kitchen Faucets
The most efficient way to operate the faucet without adding potential bacteria to the same surface touched by others, is to install touchless, or touch-activated faucets offered by numerous manufacturers including Delta, Moen, Pfister and Kohler.
Kitchen Counters
There are a few good options in countertop surfaces that offer microbial properties and look great as a feature that stands out in a stylish kitchen.
- Quartz or quartz-blend countertops have a nonporous surface which is naturally resistant to bacteria and comes in countless colors. These countertops are environmentally friendly, having been made from crushed natural stone combined with recycled glass and ceramic, and a cement-based or polymeric binder.
- For another naturally microbial resistant option, copper countertops and backsplashes are a good choice. The best way to clean this relatively soft metal is mild dish soap and warm water. Avoid using harsh abrasives, they will scratch the surface, rather use a solution of lemon juice in saltwater followed by soapy water on a soft cleaning cloth.
- There are laminate countertops being offered in the marketplace that feature enhanced, built-in, antimicrobial protection. It is extremely durable and protects the surface against odor and stain-causing bacteria, mold and mildew.
Kitchen Floors
Although, when it comes to the spread of germs, the floor is usually not the area we are most concerned with. There are excellent solutions for minimizing bacteria in this space too.
- Bamboo is naturally bacteria resistant and even when it is growing it eradicates any bacterium attempting to attach itself to the surface. Bamboo flooring will not reduce the need to clean of course, but it will be resistant to germs and bacteria. When maintained properly bamboo has a long lifespan. As a natural fiber it is also strong and shock resistant.
- An Epoxy coating can be applied as a seamless flooring offering antimicrobial protection for both commercial and residential use. Without openings and crevices in a surface there are less opportunities for dirt and bacteria collect and live. With the selection of colors and textures available, this is a great style-wise option with excellent adaptability.
- Linoleum and vinyl flooring are budget friendly options with much the same aspects as the epoxy coating.
Kitchens of today, as well as kitchens of the future, are expected to be sustainable, cleanable and affordable. Leading the way in healthy kitchen materials are bamboo and copper, which have been around the longest. Today homeowners can create a balance between the high-end look and hardworking functionality.