Sanitizing Marble Countertops In A Kitchen
Posted on: 12 July 2019
Marble countertops are elegant and stately, but they do come with a complication. Marble is a porous material. If it's poorly maintained and not properly cleaned, it can become a safe haven for bacteria. Here are the steps to take to make sure your countertops stay sanitary and beautiful.
Make Sure You Use an Antibacterial, Stone-Safe Cleaner
Not all marble cleaners are antibacterial, and not all antibacterial cleaners are stone safe. A stone-safe cleaner is designed to that it won't wick up the protective oils of the marble, nor will it eat away at the marble with acids or caustic chemicals. Stone-safe cleaners will also give your marble a beautiful, brilliant shine.
Seal Your Marble Regularly
Sealant is what protects your marble from both bacteria and staining. If you don't properly seal your marble, both bacteria and stains can get into it, which will be very difficult to remove. Sealing doesn't last forever; you need to seal your marble regularly if you're going to protect it. The frequency for sealing depends on how often you use your counters and the specific sealing product you use.
Avoid Getting Food Directly on Your Counter Surface
While you might prepare food directly on a metal counter or a butcher block counter, you should rarely have food directly touching your marble counter. Make sure you're always using the appropriate kitchen items, such as a chopping board that will avoid dripping anything onto your counter. If anything does drip on your counter, make sure you clean it up quickly, and don't allow any liquids to seep in. Be particularly cautious when preparing chicken and pork.
Be Careful With Acidic Foods
Lemon juice and vinegar can etch away at your marble, making it dull. Etched marble is more likely to harbor bacteria, because it has more areas for the bacteria to hide. And, of course, it also damages the appearance of the marble. When preparing acidic foods, take special care to avoid spilling it on the marble's surface. If you do spill, clean up the spill and then reseal the marble soon after, to compensate for any sealant lost.
Though marble counters may take a little extra work to keep clean, they add to your home both in terms of beauty and value. As long as you make sure to take care of your counters properly, you should be able to cook in your kitchen worry-free.
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