Copper Sinks

Copper sinks are very elegant.  They can be used to make a bathroom look elegant or a kitchen look antique.  There are many different types of copper sinks.  Each one is nicer and more elegant than the next.  Choosing the copper sink for you can be a bit more difficult. 

There are many bad choices to be made when choosing a copper sink. Unless you are aware of what you are doing, you could make one of the several mistakes.

 You could choose a sink that does not age well, loses its shape, or turns rusty. There is a lot of research to be done when it comes to copper sinks. There are many different types of copper sinks and many different rules to follow when choosing and caring for a sink. 

Are Copper Sinks Easy to Care for?

Many people make the mistake of not purchasing a copper sink because they think that there is too much maintenance involved in taking care of them. People believe this because of the day of the copper bottom pans. Before there was Teflon there was the copper bottom pan. These pots and pans required regular scrubbing and polishing.

This was too much work for most people. People look back and they remember how terrible it was to polish and scrub a pan, why would they want to polish and scrub and polish a copper sink? The scrubbing and polishing are just a myth. Unless it is a highly polished, decorative piece, polishing and scrubbing is not necessary. Copper sinks require no maintenance at all.

How Should I Maintain my Copper Sink?

Maintaining a copper sink is not difficult at all. When it comes to maintenance of a copper sink, the less you do the better. Copper sinks do not require any type of polishing or scrubbing. Copper sinks are made with a patina appearance. The look is “fired” in. It gives the copper sink an aged, weathered look. This is the desired look for copper sinks.

There are a few things that you can do for your copper sink to keep it looking its best. The first thing that should be done is rinsing. After you are finished using the sink, it is a good idea to rinse out whatever soap is left behind. If you live in an area where the mineral content in the water is high, it is a good idea to wipe out the sink after you rinse it.

If the hard water is left to sit on the sink’s surface for too long, it can cause spots on the sink or even ruin the patina finish. Cleaning you soap with a cleanser is necessary occasionally. It is very important, however, to use the right cleanser and cloth. All you need to clean your copper sink is a soft cloth and a very mild cleanser. Anything abrasive can scratch the sink and ruin the patina. Polishing is something that you can do whenever you feel necessary. It is especially important if you have a high mineral content in your water.

The wax will protect your sink from developing hard water stains. The best way to tell if your copper sink is in need of a polish is whenever the water stops beading up on the surface of the sink.
Copper is a natural antibacterial. Unlike stainless steel sinks, copper sinks actually fight bacteria. It has recently been proved that bacterial can only live on a copper sink for a few hours. Bacteria can live on stainless steel for several days. Your copper sink actually does most of the cleaning work by itself.

It is important to know, if you have a kitchen sink, the foods that could be dangerous to your copper kitchen sink. Acidic foods such as tomatoes, lemons, vinegar, or mayonnaise can damage the patina of the sink. If these types of foods sit on the surface of the sink too long, they can end up causing permanent spotting. When using these foods, it is important to clean the sink thoroughly when you are finished.

Will my Copper Sink Dull with Age?

Many things in life become dull and lose their luster with age. Copper, however, is lucky enough to improve with age. When a copper sink is first made, it has a pinkish salmon hue.

As time goes by the pink fades to a nice russet shade, then becoming a nice, deep, rich tone. The speed that the copper begins to dull and become more beautiful, depends on a few different things. The first is how much the copper sink is used. If, for example, it is in a person’s guest bath which is hardly ever used, the aging will take longer. If it is used daily, it will be faster. It is nice to know that there are some things in life that look even nicer as they age.

What Should I do if I Scratch my Copper Sink?

The fact that copper looks more beautiful with age is amazing enough, but the idea that copper sinks can heal themselves is almost unbelievable. It is true though. If you happen to scratch your copper sink, you should do nothing.

Because of coppers “living finish” properties, the copper sink will heal itself. All that you are required to do is maintain your copper sink in the same manner as you usually do. In time, the scratches on the sink will fade out and disappear, making the copper sink look beautiful.

With all of these wonderful qualities about copper sinks, a person would be crazy not to want one. They require no maintenance, they improve with age, and they heal themselves. Along with looking beautiful they are the easiest type of sink to maintain.