How do copper sinks wear

This is normal. The beauty of a living finish is the sink color is in constant variation. These variation will blend together over time. Light spots will naturally darken and dark spots will naturally lighten. Even if scratched, the shiny scratch mark will darken and blend back into the finish over the course of time.

To help speed up the repair of a light spot or scratch, wash the sink with soap and water. Leave the finish exposed and do not use wax, which coats and protects the copper from the elements. You want to leave the spot exposed and use the sink as you normally would to encourage the copper to form new patina. Rub a coat of old-fashioned furniture wax, beeswax or copper wax into the surface of the sink to clean it; the wax helps slow down the patina development.

Use a soft cloth to apply the wax, rubbing it in with a circular motion. Use the wax every time you clean the sink for best results. All copper sinks should be washed with warm water, mild dish soap, and a soft sponge. Dry your sink after cleaning or using it to prevent mineral deposits and green spotting.

If you want to keep your polished sink shiny, apply a copper cleaner and wax at least every six weeks. A mild soap should be all you need to properly clean most copper sinks. Any harsh cleansers can affect the finish. If you live in an area with hard water, you can prevent mineral deposits and spotting on your copper sink by applying a coat of wax to the surface. Cleaning and maintenance Copper sink care is slightly more complex than other materials, though it's not an extremely high - maintenance material.

It's also naturally antimicrobial for a hygienic environment. Clean with mild soap and water. Pat dry with a soft cloth after every use. When you have clean-lined copper cookware, you'll want a cleanser that's safe for both the copper surface and the lining. Some people use a homemade salt scrub to clean copper , but salt can cause pitting in stainless steel. Bar Keepers Friend Cleanser is safe for most surfaces. Place a liberal amount of salt on the stain and rub it with a clean tack cloth or rag.

Keep rubbing until the bluish green oxidized copper residue is removed totally from the metal. Salt has metal stain cleaning properties that can easily rub off any blemish on a metal including copper. Otherwise, thinner sinks shall dent , warp, and scratch with time. As it's malleable and not as tough as natural stones, delicate dishes do not break easily if put into a copper sink. Copper sinks made by Havens are extremely easy to maintain.

Above all, a kitchen sink should be easily cleaned and should never require any extra care steps to "preserve" the finish. One of the most widely discussed concerns with copper sinks is that they are difficult to care for and maintain over time.

This is absolutely true for low quality imported sinks, however, selecting a high quality copper sink with a lifetime warranty insures easy care and maintenance for life.

Researching copper sinks online, one can't help but find horror stories from homeowners who has installed a copper sink only to have the finish become a nightmare to care and maintain. Often times, imported sink manufacturers will use a thin gauge of recycled copper to cut costs , and spray the finish with a lacquer or clear coat to protect it. These type of sinks are widely available, at appealing price tags, and will look good as long as the protective coating holds up. As soon as that layer of clear coat wears out, the natural surface of the copper will inevitably deteriorate when it interacts with water and other particles found in the everyday kitchen sink.

This is the all-to-common situation with copper sinks widely available in big box stores, where the sinks are made in Mexico, China, and other Asian countries.

It's important to research the manufacturer - ask questions, read their warranty, guarantee and other policies. The differences in copper quality can mean years even decades of usage, thousands of dollars in replacing countertops and cabinets, and overall appearance of the product.

Do copper kitchen sinks turn green? A high quality copper sink will never turn green, blue, or teal. Copper as a metal is notorious for showing greenish and teal colors after being exposed to certain elements such as extensive sunlight and salty air near the beach typically.

In a home, or even outdoor kitchen setting, a Havens copper sink will never oxidize or turn green, even after decades of use. Occasionally, you will see a copper product even an old penny , that is very dark and displays shades of teal and green. If this is the case, it's likely that the metal has been exposed to an oxidizing element for an extended period of time.

While this is completely normal, it's not something you have to worry about with a Havens copper sink, as they typically aren't exposed to chlorine, large amounts of salt, or heavy sunlight.

What is the best gauge for a copper sink? When addressing the quality of copper, gauge is one of single most important factors to consider. A lower number means the metal is thicker, for example 14 gauge copper is much thicker than 20 gauge.

Realistically, 14 gauge 48oz non-recycled American copper is the best material a sink can be built from. If your kitchen is modern and primarily white, a smooth and polished copper will reflect light throughout the room and add warmth to the neutral space. If you have exposed brick or black cabinets in the space, a polished copper will also add to the charm of the space. Copper sinks and mixed metals were a top trend of , and the phenomenon is expected to continue.

The patina on your copper sink may naturally darken over time with heavy use of the sink, and this is perfectly normal, as the patina darkens to protect the copper from the elements. Maintenance of your copper farmhouse sink will not be too difficult.

When you are cleaning your sink regularly, you will want to use soap, warm water, and a cloth. A sponge or scrubber will do more harm than good and can scratch your sink, so stick to a gentle warm cloth. As a day to day maintenance routine, you will want to avoid leaving dirty dishes and food sitting in the sink, as specific foods predominantly acidic foods have properties that can damage the natural sheen of the copper this is important for overall home health, anyways.

You can also avoid leaving cosmetics or toothpaste sitting in the sink for too long to protect the patina. Overall, maintaining a copper farmhouse sink is quite easy with just a little caution. Practicing proper food sanitation and tending to dirty dishes contributes to an overall healthier living space, and a quick wash with warm soap and water can easily be implemented into your household cleaning routine.

Additionally, we will next discuss the antibacterial properties of copper that help the sink cleanse itself from bacteria on its own. A huge advantage of a copper farmhouse sink is the natural antibacterial properties of copper. The EPA has confirmed that copper is the first solid metal to possess antimicrobial properties effective in killing harmful bacteria living on touch surfaces.

It is believed that the presence of copper in microbial cells is what eliminates the bacteria, as well as that the copper causes oxidation. Copper is able to kill many germs right upon contact, and with constant contact is able to kill nearly all harmful bacteria within a window.

This not only makes copper the best choice for investing in sinkware in your own home but also has led to research as to how copper sinks can be utilized in hospitals, group living homes, and other healthcare facilities.

Copper can help stop the spread of infections such as the flu in households and will also stop cross-contamination of any bacteria that could be present in foods. Oftentimes, small particles of leftover foods can lead to foul musty smells coming from a kitchen sink, so choosing a copper appliance solves this problem.

If it does stain, you can just clean the sink with soap, water, and a warm cloth to ease the stain away. Olive oil can also be used to buff out stains easily. There are also sealants that you can look into to further protect the material if the sink has reached a patina that you would like to keep.

Many choose to use beeswax or copper wax to slow down the color development in their copper sinks. As long as you do not leave food or dishes overnight in the sink, are gentle when washing the material, and consider a wax polish to preserve the material, you are in good shape!

Your copper sink will remain in great condition and shine stain free! Farmhouse copper sinks are eye catchers partly because of their size. Statement sinks serve an aesthetic purpose as well as a practical one.

For instance, the big size of this double farmhouse sink provides the homeowner with more than enough space to carry out kitchen tasks more efficiently. Particularly if you have a large family or enjoy crafting elaborate meals, a double farmhouse sink gives you a larger workspace. The double sink first became popular as a dishwashing method; soapy water would go on one side while clean water for rinsing would go on the other.

With the growing popularity of dishwashers, this began to shift a little. From a convenience standpoint, especially if you have a large family, the larger sink will ensure that dishes never pile up on the counter. Aside from these practical purposes, the bigger sink serves as an eye catching centerpiece of any kitchen that will add value, character, and reflect light throughout the space. A hallmark characteristic of an apron farmhouse sink is its exposed front facing side.

Farmhouse sinks were first designed to fit easily into an existing kitchen counter. Aside from the aesthetic benefits of the sink, there are many practical uses that make these sinks the best choice, particularly for large families.

Apron sinks tend to be larger, making them helpful for large families who will have many plates and dishes.