Environmentalism and eco-phylia have been top of mind in interior design trends over the last few years. As people turn away from synthetic materials for their homes and businesses, the demand for wood, stone, and glass has increased. From countertops to writing surfaces, glass is clearly the most versatile of these natural materials, but in these difficult times, there’s another important consideration that’s making more people choose glass first — sanitation.
We completely understand the draw of a flawless wooden staircase and what feels like the impossible curves and curls of wood railings. Similarly, we can see the attraction of wooden countertops and work surfaces, but unfortunately, while wood is undoubtedly beautiful, it can also be very hard to clean. Unlike glass, wood is also a porous material. That means that everything — from soapy grey water used to wipe the top to bacteria and viruses— can seep into the material. Wood can be sanitized (sort of) with a vinegar spray, but the vinegar can’t be left long on the wood surface, or it will deteriorate the surface. Glass, on the other hand, is a highly sanitary material.
Whether you choose to buy a glass cleaner at the store or make your own (mix together 1 cup rubbing alcohol, 1 cup water, and 1 tablespoon vinegar), glass is non-porous and wipes clean perfectly. Alcohol-based cleaners are extremely effective against all bacteria and viruses, and they can be used to clean glass and mirrors, but they aren’t recommended for wood, which can dry out and crack.
Wood isn’t the only porous material in your house though. Cloth shower curtains are a safe harbour for bacteria, moulds, and viruses. At a time when household sanitation is a top priority, it only makes sense to invest in frameless glass shower doors. The minimalist design of glass shower doors means there are no nooks or crannies for pathogens to hide in.
At home or at the office, we can’t recommend glass enough during these challenging days. As more and more experts predict that COVID-19 will become a seasonal illness, our cultural practices may change forever. Going into the future, there will be new considerations when making decisions about which materials to use in our homes and our businesses. We will now need to examine how to best keep people safe from enemies we can’t see and which can be spread by people who don’t know they’re sick. That means choosing surfaces that can be easily sanitized to stop the spread of illness.
Ready to invest in interior design that is elegant, durable, and easy to clean? House of Mirrors and Glass is here to help. Our team is practicing social distancing to reduce the spread of illness, but we are still operating and working with Calgarians to create beautiful, safe surfaces for homes and businesses. At this time, our showroom is by appointment only. As a part of our commitment to keeping our team and customers safe, we are unable to accommodate walk-ins. Instead, please call 403-253-3777 ext. 317, and we will be happy to connect with you.
