Copper sinks are easily the crown of any kitchen or bathroom. However, such a stunning centerpiece requires dutiful attention. People assume that a copper sink is difficult to care for and has high maintenance.
Cleaning a copper sink like porcelain or steel sinks will bring zero results. While a copper sink is very unique and different from a stainless or porcelain sink, it is not any more difficult to maintain.
You want your copper sink looking very bright, right? You want your copper sink glowing and sparkling, the stunning centerpiece of your kitchen, right?
Here are some tips and steps that you can take with copper that make cleaning and care a little easier.
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To begin with, it’s good to know that copper is a very different material than those used in most sinks and has some very unique qualities.
The actual copper in a vessel sink or hammered copper sink won’t be damaged through normal use or mild cleansers. What can be damaged is the patina or lacquer finish on the sink.
Harsh chemicals, rough scrubbing sponges, and stiff-bristle brushes can erode the finish on your copper bathroom sink. Do not use brass polish on a copper sink that has a finish.
Acidic foods like lemons, pineapple, and mustard also wear out the lacquer finish, so be sure to run water continuously when working with these foods in your kitchen sink.
Taking care of your copper sink means knowing the nature of copper sinks, knowing what is bad for your sink, how to clean up, and how to brighten the look.
The color and tones of your copper sink will continue to change and shift over time because of the finish – that’s just the nature of copper.
Does this mean that your copper sink will change from a coppery tone to purple, green, or yellow?
Does this mean copper sinks are bound to lose their stunning looks? No. I simply mean that certain areas of your sink may shift from a lighter copper tone to a darker copper tone.
Yes. ‘ This is completely normal and it’s what gives copper its unique rustic design qualities’, an expert would tell you. This shading-off is what we call the patina process!
Some people love the mixture of tones that develop as a result of the patina process; some people prefer a more consistent tone. Patina is a natural process, so it’s not completely within our power to control it.
So your shining-new-penny copper sink will take on a darker tone. But that’s alright.
Since the patina process of copper is natural, many things can affect how your copper sink will patina.
Certain things will affect how quickly the patina will develop and other things can cause the patina to strip. Either way, your copper sink is not being harmed – it is only the patina that is being affected.
Spotting in the patina of your copper sink is not indicative of the health of your copper. Patina is natural and your copper sink will last a lifetime – whether the patina strips or not.
When the patina strips, you will see a shiny coppery shine on the surface of your copper sink. Don’t worry! Over time this shiny bright spot will patina and blend in with the earth tones on the rest of your kitchen or bathroom sink.
What are those things that can strip the patina from your copper sink?
1. Acidic foods (like citrus, tomatoes, ketchup, pepperoni, soda, oils / oily food like chips, etc.)
2. Cosmetics (toothpaste, make-ups, shaving cream, etc.)
3. Abrasive chemicals (avoid bleach, drain unclogging chemicals, etc.)
4 Oil from your fingers can affect patina (particularly on a naked copper finish)
If you expose these items to your sink, don’t worry! First, try to remove them and their residue as quickly as possible. If you leave them on for an extended period, they will strip the patina.
That’s okay! Don’t panic! Just take a deep breath, sit back, relax, and let the patina process take over. Over several days, you’ll notice that the bright, shiny copper is returning to the rich tones you see in the rest of your copper sink.
If you love the changing of tones, then your only step to care for your sink is to clean it regularly. When cleaning your sink, make sure to use a mild soap, warm water, and a soft cloth or sponge. Avoid abrasive chemical cleaners, metal scrubbing pads, or steel wool.
Just like a pair of jeans, a leather jacket, or a sturdy pair of work boots, a copper sink will age based on how much you use it.
The integrity of the copper or the structure of the sink will never fail on you (because of this, all Sinkology sinks come with a lifetime warranty), but the finish and the colors will fade, darken, or brighten over the years.
This look is what so many copper sink owners love. Like denim or leather, a copper sink gets better with age.
Showcasing a copper sink in a kitchen or bathroom adds the warmth of natural materials and a stylish flair.
As one of the naturally occurring earth minerals, copper has a living finish that, if unlacquered, will continue to change and become more unique with age.
Along with the beauty of the natural patina, untreated copper sinks also provide anti-microbial qualities not found in stainless steel or porcelain. Many microorganisms cannot survive on a copper sink for more than a few hours.
So, how do we clean a copper sink? How often?
Just as any kitchen or bathroom sink that is used daily, a copper sink should be cleaned daily. If you live in an area with hard water, the minerals in the water will leave water spots on the surface of the sink. To prevent the spotting, dry the sink completely after every use.
If you have a shiny lacquered copper sink and want to maintain the look, the lacquer will eventually be worn away.
The sink will need to be relacquered or polished with a copper cleaner and waxed with carnauba wax or specialized copper wax regularly. The frequency for the need to wax depends upon how often the sink is used.
Here are some tips
1. Do not leave cleaning tools or dirty dishes in the sink.
2. If your sink has a smooth, highly polished finish, use a dishwashing mat at the bottom to prevent pots and pans from marring the surface.
3 Apply wax at least every six weeks to maintain a bright finish.
4 Every copper sink should be routinely cleaned the same way no matter the type of finish.
What do you need to do the magic cleaning?
1. Warm or hot water
2. Dishwashing liquid without added bleach.
3. Sponge or cotton dishwashing cloth
4. Microfiber or lint-free cotton dishcloth.
Here is one method ;
Use mild dish soap and a soft sponge to clean your sink. Dish soap, warm running water, and a soft sponge are all you’ll need for regular cleanings. Basic, routine cleaning is the same for all copper sinks, whether your sink is vintage, hammered, raw, or polished.
Use only a soft, non-abrasive sponge or cloth. Don’t use harsh scrubbers, such as steel wool.
Wipe all sides of the sink with a soapy sponge. Run warm water from the faucet and use the sprayer to wet the sink. Squirt one or two drops of the dish soap onto the wet sponge. Wipe down the sink with the soapy sponge from top to bottom on all sides.
You should clean your sink daily to keep it in the best shape.
Rinse and towel dry the sink after cleaning it. Use the sprayer to rinse away soap suds with warm water. After thoroughly rinsing the sink, dry it with a clean towel.
Drying the sink will prevent the formation of mineral deposits and green spotting.
Use a baking soda paste for stubborn stains.
To remove a stubborn mark or stain, apply baking soda to a cloth and, with warm water running, gently scrub the affected area.
If your sink is shiny and polished or finished, you can add vinegar to the baking soda to remove a stain. However, if your sink is vintage or you want to preserve a patina, avoid using vinegar.
Here is another method;
Clean your sink with a copper cleaner every four to six weeks. If your copper sink is polished or finished and you want to maintain its shine, you should use a copper cleaner at least every six weeks.
Apply the cleaner to a cloth, wipe all surfaces, then rinse and dry the sink. Check your copper cleaner’s instructions for more specific information about how to use it.
Copper is a living surface that develops a patina over time, but a copper cleaner can help slow the development of the patina and preserve a polished look.
Don’t use a copper cleaner on a vintage sink or if you want your sink to develop a patina. Apply a copper protectant or wax to keep your copper shiny.
Using a copper protectant or wax after cleaning and drying your sink will also help preserve its bright, polished look. Depending on your product’s application method, spray it onto the sink or apply it with a cloth. Then use a microfiber towel to buff all of the sink’s surfaces.
Apply a copper wax or protectant every six weeks or whenever water no longer beads on its surface.
Aside from products specially labeled for copper, you can also buff your sink with carnauba wax to preserve its brilliance.
Use a sink grid or mat when washing dishes. If your copper sink is hammered or has a patina, there’s no need to worry about dings or dents from washing dishes, pots, and pans.
However, to preserve a polished sink’s shine, you’ll want to avoid direct contact between your sink and dishware.
Place a sink grid or mat down when you wash dishware and dry wares in a countertop drying rack.