A kitchen is a place where no mistakes can be made. There is food being prepared and you want to ensure that cleanliness and hygiene is taken care of. So, here is a list of the most hygienic countertop materials that are perfect for kitchens. Don’t be surprised to find quartz kitchen countertops in the list because they are one of the most hygienic countertop options.

Stainless Steel

If you want to get your hands on a countertop material that is the definition of hygiene then look no further because stainless steel is going to be the best bet for you. Stainless steel is essentially a non-porous material, so it won’t let any food spills or contents sit on the countertop for long and it will also be easy to clean, because it is non-porous and it doesn’t let anything get absorbed in it.

This material is a bit on the expensive side of things, but it is still a very good choice to go for if you want to get something that will ensure that all of the food being prepared on the countertops is hygienic and not bad for you at all.

There are only a couple of problems with stainless steel that people don’t appreciate. First of all, there is zero variety in this material. There is just one silver gray color that you can choose and that’s pretty much it. Another thing that can be hard to deal with, when it comes to stainless steel countertops, is the fact that they get smudged very easily and that is also a deal breaker for people, as the surface tends to be decorated with fingerprint smudges.

Quartz

When it comes to hygiene, you want to choose materials that are not only strong but non-porous too. This is where quartz will come in to save the day for you. Quartz is a beautiful material that is very hygienic for use in the kitchen. It is also a man-made material and it doesn’t need a lot of maintenance either, so it’s a perfect choice to go for.

Since there aren’t any pores on the surface of quartz, the liquid present on the surface tends to pool on the countertops instead of getting absorbed by the material, so it doesn’t lead to stains or smudges.

Also, if you want variety and lots of customization in a material, then quartz has you covered. There is a lot of room for creativity and you can even get customized slabs according to your kitchen dimensions, which is amazing. You won’t regret getting quartz in your kitchen, because they’re not only food safe, but they’re affordable as well, especially compared to stainless steel and other natural stones. There are just a lot of qualities of quartz that you can’t pass up on.

Granite

Granite is a natural stone and you might think that you need to steer clear of this material because it will absorb liquid, however, that isn’t entirely the case. Yes, granite is a porous stone and if you seal it, only then it will be waterproof.

However, another quality that makes granite such a hygienic material for the kitchen is the fact that it is scratch-resistant and doesn’t get scratched easily. So, if you were to use sharp knives directly on the surface of granite countertops, then there wouldn’t be any damage. This means that there won’t be any passage for water or liquid to accumulate in the scratch and damage the material and make it a contamination hazard. This is a very amazing quality of granite and it’s one of the reasons why people go for this material for their kitchen countertops, even though it is very hard to maintain.

If you seal the countertops, then you will have nothing to worry about, because these babies are going to ensure that the water or liquid on the surface doesn’t go anywhere inside the material and cause food contamination. It’s amazing, isn’t it?

Marble

Marble is a fragile material with pores on the surface. This should make it a bad choice for hygienic materials in the kitchen right? Wrong. Marble, even though it is a softer material and can be scratched, lasts a lot longer than most of the other available countertop materials and it’s an amazing thing. So, if you’re looking for a material that will last for a reasonable amount of time, then marble is perfect.

The only downsides include the light color of marble and the price of the material. It is very expensive and it does need to be maintained a lot, so it’s better if you go for other choices if you don’t want to fuss with these things.

Laminate

Another man-made and affordable option for hygienic countertop materials is laminate. Laminate is amazing, because not only is it virtually maintenance-free, but it can mimic almost all types of countertops known in the world.

So, you can get the look of marble, granite, or wood with laminate and you won’t even have to spend a lot of money on it, which is amazing and always a winning feature in the books of people. Many homeowners choose it to get faux granite countertops Durham NC. If you’re looking for a non-porous material that is also cheap, then laminate is perfect.

Wood

Wood is also a great and hygienic material as long as you maintain it properly. Wood is highly attracted to water and it can also cause fungus and mold infestation if it’s always sodden, which is why you need to invest in sealants and get the countertops sealed to look amazing and be waterproof.

This is the main reason why wood isn’t a material that is the most hygienic from the lot, but if you maintain it properly and seal it, protecting it from water, then it will last for a long time and will also prevent food contamination.

However, if you’re remodeling your kitchen and want a low maintenance countertop, then choose quartz.

Sintered Stone

Sintered stone is a modern material that is making its mark in the world of countertop materials. It is a combination of the strength of granite and the beauty of other natural stones. It is an engineered stone and it is stain and scratch-resistant.

It also doesn’t need to be sealed and it will last you a very long time. Sintered stone is a material that has almost 5 times the strength of granite and zero porosity, so it makes this stone the most hygienic on this list.

Glass

Glass is also an amazing material when it comes to hygiene. It is a fragile material, yes, and it does need to be well taken care of, but it is amazing as compared to other stones that can lead to water penetration and damage.

Glass or recycled glass is an amazing option to go for if you’re looking for a minimal option in countertops that will transform the look of your kitchen. You can also clean the countertops easily and there is little to no maintenance involved, making it a great choice for busy people.

Conclusion

When it comes to health and hygiene, you want to ensure that you’re choosing the best of the best. This countertop list will ensure that you’re choosing a hygienic countertop replacement Raleigh NC for your kitchen.