First, people were warned to steer clear of spinach, then it was scallions and later, romaine lettuce. The food recalls of recent memory proved one thing to us: Sanitary measures can be a matter of life or death.

A cursory look around the Internet will show that we’re still in the infancy of truly innovative sanitary surface design. Most of the attention on that subject has been focused on commercial manufacture for the hospitality industry or in spaces where germs are an especially significant threat, such as hospitals and nursing homes.

But specifying or suggesting to a health-conscious client the inclusion of products that promote an environment hostile to germs and other bacteria is not just another potential profit center, it’s good sense. The consumer can’t always control what comes into the kitchen, but making sanitary surfaces part of the design can provide the user with a healthier kitchen experience.

Countertops are not the only surfaces to consider; any place a client’s next meal or exposed skin might possibly touch should be as easy to keep clean as possible, which means making sure to include low-Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emitting products, sinks that are resistant to water absorption and specialty appliances that aid the client in maintaining a germ-hostile environment.

Careful Countertops

Anyone who has ever had to scrub a tile shower can testify that tiles, while offering almost unlimited design potential, can become unsanitary over time, and this common wisdom applies to tile in the kitchen as well. The grout that holds countertop or backsplash tiles in place is nook-and-cranny central, and there will always be places a client’s scrubber sponge won’t be able to reach. This is the perfect breeding ground for mildew growth, which can activate allergies and aggravate asthma.

But what if your client loves tile and nothing else will do? A simple solution is to include a waterproofing acrylic finish in the tile application process: After installation, coat the grout with the colorless finish to cut the risk of mold, mildew and other bacterial growth.

Another option is to select tiles that have antibacterial treatments added in during the mixing process. Rutland, VT-based Questech’s Q-Seal tiles are natural stone tiles featuring permanent waterproofing and the inclusion of Ultra-Fresh, the firm’s signature antimicrobial protection.

Microban, an antimicrobial that works at the cellular level to disrupt key cell functions within bacterial microbes, is included in Laticrete’s SpectraLock grouts, which are available in 40 colors, and are resistant to stain-causing mold and mildew.

Additionally, SpectraLock is Greenguard certified for low-VOC emissions and does not require any additional sealants.
Microban is also a component of Cosentino’s Silestone natural quartz surfaces. Quartz has long been lauded for its sanitary properties and ease of maintenance since, unlike “natural” stones like granite, quartz is non-porous and requires no chemical sealing to make it stain resistant. With Silestone, Cosentino sees the built-in antimicrobial protection as adding yet another layer of protection.