In the era of the coronavirus pandemic, copper may become the "it" metal to add to your home design. In fact, you may want to add it everywhere because of its germ-repellant benefits alone.

Stainless steel, on the other hand, may quickly lose some fans. After all, research has shown COVID-19 can survive up to 72 hours on stainless steel.

That’s not the case for copper. Copper can actually kill bacteria and viruses, including the coronavirus, according to a recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Copper and many of its alloys—including brass and bronze—have antimicrobial properties and have been shown to kill greater than 99% of bacteria within two hours of exposure. It can continuously sanitize objects, destroying even the scariest of germs like the Norovirus, MRSA, E.coli, and the coronaviruses, including COVID-19.

Not surprisingly, the medical community is calling for more use of copper, such as in hospital settings and on public drinking fountains and public transportation railings.

Copper can be added inside homes, too: sinks, faucets, appliances, door hardware, hand rails, and more. The opportunities are endless. Certainly, copper tends to be more expensive than other metals. But if research continues to show it as a formidable COVID-19 repellant, more homeowners may find copper well worth the expense.

Advertisement