Tag: Countertop

Laminate, wood, tile, concrete, stainless steel, and granite are the most common materials used for home counters. When choosing a surface, appearance and price are always the top priorities. However, homeowners should also consider the sanitary properties of each material.

In an experiment published by the Hospitality Institute of Technology and Management in 1991, each of these six materials was tested to see which was the easiest to sanitize. A sample of each surface was treated with E. coli, the bacteria responsible for food poisoning. Afterward, each sample was washed with regular dishwashing soap and a washcloth and then rinsed. This simple wash and rinse experiment replicated common household cleaning practices.