Copper is a metal, it is non-porous, and it will not stain in the traditional sense of the word. However, copper will generate a patina, which is a chemical change that causes the metal to change color. Most of our copper finishes are accelerated patinas. Read the guide below for tips on cleaning and maintaining copper sinks.

It's important to note that not all copper products are made of pure copper and can, in fact, have a large percent of lead, arsenic, and tin which can be a problem to live with. Be sure to check if any copper company will stand behind a lead test being done on their products. Be sure to find out the truth of the copper you are buying , it is the secret to choosing the 'right' copper kitchen sink, bathroom sink, countertop, range hood and bath tub... one’s that will remain beautiful, function perfectly and literally provide lifetimes of use and enjoyment!

The way to keep your copper attractive is to keep it clean. For basic cleaning, simply use a mild soap and hot water. Do not use Brasso or other copper polishes or cleaners; they will remove the natural patina. Just using Windex on mirrors or windows above copper, where a mist could fall on it will clean off the patina. Spray chemicals on a towel or paper towel so you don’t take a chance with your copper. If it does clean the patina off, just give us a call and we will talk you through how to fix it. You will never ruin your copper products by removing patina; they will repair the patina themselves.

If you have hard water in your area, we recommend keeping your sink dry by wiping it down periodically with a soft cloth. We recommend “Johnson’s Paste Wax” for our copper products. The wax gives you time to clean up any mess on the copper by providing a barrier. It also helps to keep the oxygen off of the copper; to really slow down how fast the patina deepens.

You may wax your copper sink with “Johnson’s Paste Wax” every 3 to 6 months. Apply wax, allow to haze and buff till removed. Our copper products come pre-waxed, so it is not necessary to wax after installation. Please note that you can always apply additional applications of wax, this provides an additional layer of protection. How to tell if you need to apply a new coat of wax sooner? When you notice that water is no longer 'beading up' on the surface of your copper products, it's time to apply another coat.

Warning! Housekeepers love to scrub and polish and typically use a variety of abrasive cleaning agents and disinfectants when they clean your kitchen and bathroom. If they are not informed about the proper care of your copper kitchen sink, bathroom sink, range hood, countertop or bath tub, they may unknowingly damage the finish. Be sure to go over this information with your housekeeper and educate her or him, about the proper way to clean your copper products.

If you live in an area where the mineral content in your water is high, it's best to wipe your copper sink or bathtub dry after each use to prevent unsightly spotting. When 'hard' water is left to stand, minerals in the water accumulate and begin to form deposits on your sink or tub. Once that happens, they'll be difficult to remove and could even ruin the patina finish.

All Patina’s Except Lacquered: We recommend that you use just a mild soap and hot water to clean with. No abrasive materials, just a cotton dish towel will do. Re-wax with “Johnson’s Paste Wax” every 3 to 6 months. Be careful with toothpaste and remove the residue in order to avoid the patina from being eaten away. If an acidic product, (such as toothpaste, ketchup, lemon, or orange juice) removes some of the patina, do not worry - the patina will return over time.

Natural Copper: We recommend that you use just a mild soap and hot water to clean with. No abrasive materials, just a cotton dish towel will do. Natural bare copper will turn different colors until it gets a natural medium brown patina over time and will look even more beautiful. Inside a house copper will never turn green, unless something acidic comes in contact with it. However, if you want the sink’s finish to look like new for longer, you can periodically wax the bowl with “Johnson’s Paste Wax”. All natural copper products, hammered or smooth will come with a wax coat on them. This is to keep fingerprints off of it while installing. The wax will wear off overtime or you can use acetone to clean it off, after installing.

Lacquered Copper: We recommend that you use just a mild soap and hot water to clean with. No abrasive materials, just a cotton dish towel will work. In the rare occasion you want a copper product lacquered, you still will want to wax it. You need to re-wax every 3 to 6 months with “Johnson’s Paste Wax”. This will extend the life of the lacquer.

Do not use corrosives (such as chlorine or concentrated vinegar), or abrasive cleaners. All acid based foods and/or food items (such as citric acids like lemon or orange juice), or harsh chemicals have the potential to damage the patina finish. These substances may remove the patina finish of a copper sink. To avoid ruining the finish it is best to leave water running while working with products and foods of this nature and remember to thoroughly rinse your sink immediately after use However, if an acidic product removes some of the patina, do not worry - the patina will return over time.