Care:
The way to keep your copper lovely is to keep it clean. For basic cleaning, simply use a mild soap and water. Other cleaners are not necessary.
If you have hard water in your area, we recommend keeping your sink dry by wiping it down periodically with a soft cloth. For extra protection, a product such as “Renaissance Wax” may be applied to the copper surface periodically. This seal will help maintain the luster of a copper sink and provide better water runoff.
Black patina, brown patina and aged copperfinish: We recommend that you use just soap and water. 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 soap and water. The natural copper sinks will get a naturally medium patina over time and will look even more beautiful. However, if you want the sink’s finish to look like new for longer, you can periodically wax the bowl with Renaissance Wax.
Polished and matte polished copper : These finishes will require the most maintenance and are the only sinks on which copper cleaners may be used to maintain their shiny appearance. We recommend letting these sinks dry after use, or at least once every week, and using a copper cleaner every 6 months to 1 year, depending on use.
Nickel finish: These finishes are not like stainless steel and will gradually patina over time. Most common metal cleaners can be used to brighten the finish periodically. As with an unfinished copper, you can use a wax or protective sealant to reduce the maintenance required.
Do not use corrosives such as chlorine or concentrated vinegar, abrasive cleaners, citric acids like lemon or orange juice, or harsh chemicals. These substances may remove the patina finish of a copper sink. However, if an acidic product removes some of the patina, do not worry - the patina will return over time.
Stone Sinks
Due to the porous nature of natural stone certain substances can stain your stone sink. Stone sinks can also absorb moisture if they are not properly protected. Polished surfaces are much less porous while unpolished surfaces are more porous, making them susceptible to staining and moisture absorption. We recommend that you wipe up spills immediately and do not allow surface deposits of water bi-products such as calcium, salt, lime or detergents to build up on your stone sink.
Stone sinks should be cleaned regularly by using a soft cloth or a sponge with a solution of a non-abrasive light neutral detergent (PH7) as well as warm water. Make sure that you thoroughly rinse and dry the stone sink after cleaning.
We recommend that you use a professional stone cleaner solution which can be purchased from a local hardware store.
DO NOT use any acidic tub and tile cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, ammonia, abrasive or soft paste cleaners, vinegar, alcohol, window cleaners or lemon juice. In addition
DO NOT use abrasive cleaning pads such as steel wool, metal brushes or scouring powders.
Hand polish your stone sink periodically for the best glossy shine. Stone polishing pads and products can be purchased from your local hardware store.
Finally, stone sinks require special care to maintain their natural beauty, use a stone sealer at least once a year and follow the instructions provided. Stone sealer products can be purchased from your local hardware store.
Stainless Steel Sinks
After Each Use
• Clean with light soap solution, rinse, drain all water, and towel dry.
• Remove all objects, pads, grids, cloths, etc., from sink.
Regular Maintenance
Side Walls and Bottom of Sink: Remove stains using a cleaning product that contains mild abrasives; always wipe in grain direction; rinse well and towel dry. For stubborn stains or scratches: Use a fine grit Scotch-Brite® (maroon) pad following direction of sink grain finish. Pay careful attention to the directional change from side walls to bottom of sink.
Top Surface and Polished Mirror Finishes: Polish with a soft, dry towel or cloth.
Mineral Deposits: Use a cleaning product that contains mild abrasives or a light solution of vinegar and water (1:20 ratio); rinse well and towel dry.
CAUTION
Stainless steel requires exposure to air; DO NOT leave items, objects, cloths, mats, water, pots and pans, cast iron, knifes, etc., in sink when not washing. Some items void stainless steel from oxygen and can cause pitting or rusting.
• DO NOT use steel wool or other metal or coarse scouring pads.
• DO NOT stand on or in sink when cleaning windows, reaching for top shelf, painting, etc.
• DO NOT drop heavy objects in sink as this will cause denting.
• DO NOT leave water, bleach, other cleaners, or chemicals of any type in sink; always rinse sink after any use and dry with towel. NEVER USE concentrated bleach; always dilute with water and rinse thoroughly after use.
• DO NOT use any acids, drain cleaners, harsh chemicals, paint removers, metal cleaners, etc., in sink.
• DO NOT drop sharp objects in sink or use as a cutting surface.
Brass Sinks
Brass sinks can give long lasting service and beauty to your bar if handled and maintained properly.
Brass and copper are durable materials, however, they are soft and can be scratched, scuffed and dented fairly easily. Keep that in mind when bringing glasses, utensils and cleaning materials into contact with the sink.
For ordinary cleaning, use nothing but a soft, clean cloth and mild dish detergent followed by a thorough clear water rinse. Wipe dry with a clean, soft cloth.
Stains and tarnish should be removed with a small amount of good quality brass cleaner. Rub lightly to lift the discoloration, let dry, then polish with a soft, clean, dry cloth.
Minor surface scuff and very light scratches can be removed with fine automotive rubbing compound followed by brass polish.
Deeper scratches may require wet sanding with "wet or dry" sandpaper followed by rubbing compound, finishing with brass polish. The severity of the scratch determines the coarseness of the sandpaper grit with which to start. For very deep scratches we suggest starting with 220 grit followed by grits of 320, 400 and 600 progressively. In all cases use the finest grit that will work to remove the scratch.
We do not recommend any paint-type coatings be applied to the sink, as the coating will eventually wear through, leaving you with two dissimilar surface materials to maintain - neither of which compliments the other.
A bare brass or copper sink can always be brought back to a bright mirror polish with readily available materials (and elbow grease), even if it becomes badly scratched and tarnished.
