Addressing Misconceptions about Countertop Sanitation

Question:
I’ve been getting the objection from potential clients that concrete countertops are hard to clean or harbor bacteria. What can I say to convince them otherwise?

Answer:
This is a common misconception. When people hear the word “concrete,” they picture a material that’s porous. Actually, granite and marble face the same issues as concrete in terms of what must be done to protect the surface against liquid absorption and bacteria growth.

First, educate yourself about the issues of sealing, porosity, and antimicrobial properties. There is an excellent article about these issues in granite on the StoneTech Professional website: “Summary of Antimicrobial Study.”

When meeting with potential clients, you can allay their concerns about countertop sanitation by:

• -Telling them that the concrete countertop surfaces you produce are completely smooth, with no pits or voids where food or bacteria could collect. Let them feel a sample and see how smooth it is.

• -Recommending procedures for cleaning and maintaining concrete countertops, and providing an owner’s guide with these instructions when you install their countertop.

• -Reassuring them that you will seal the concrete and explaining how your sealer works, whether it’s a coating that completely seals the surface or a repellant (like those used on granite and marble) that prevents liquids from getting into any pores.

If your potential clients still have concerns after you’ve explained all this, give them a copy of the article “Are Concrete Countertops Unsanitary?” from the Concrete Connections website. It explains to homeowners and designers why fears about concrete countertops being unsanitary are unfounded.

Concrete countertops are very similar to granite when it comes to cleaning and sanitation issues. Making an analogy to a well-understood and accepted type of countertop material like granite may be reassurance enough for potential clients.