USE & CARE

Copper sinks:

Copper is a natural antibacterial product that requires minimal care. For regular maintenance, simply rinse the sink after each use. We have recently discovered an Eco-Friendly product that will help keep your copper sink looking beautiful with little care at all. The product does not inhibit the natural antibacterial properties of the copper like some other products.

Otherwise, wash occasionally with dish soap and a sponge for a more thorough cleaning. Our kitchen sinks have a self healing natural patina in the interior. There is virtually nothing that will permanently harm the sink. If you happen to leave a lemon in the sink for a while, you will see a pink spot where the patina has been removed. Not to worry... The patina will revive quickly and any spots will vanish in a short time, depending on the minerals in your water. One of the more common questions is: "Will my copper sink turn green?" The answer is absolutely not. Copper takes 7 years to begin to turn green on a roof of a home exposed to the elements.

I (Dino Rachiele) have lived with copper in my home for over 7 years. I have four copper sinks, two in the kitchen and two in the master bath. My master shower is completely clad in copper, including the ceiling and crown molding. A portion of the roof on my house is copper as is a portion of the soffit in the side entryway of my home. I can speak from first hand experience with regard to copper and the maintenance of copper. I have had only one issue that causes a brief concern. I left some pots in my kitchen sink overnight and they left dark spots where they were laying. The fix was quite simple and fast. I took a sponge (yellow and green) with a scotch brite side on it and gently abraded the dark areas until they began to lighten. Once that was accomplished, the natural properties of copper took over and that area began to patina naturally and the dark areas were impossible to detect. Everything blended in together. She same is true if you leave an acidic item in the sink for a while. The area will turn lighter. No worries... that area will darken quickly and will blend in with the rest of the sink. I have discovered that a sink that has aged for over a year will be a bit more resistant to acids, etc. My shower, for example has never been cleaned in 7 years! That's right!!! There is no soap scum, no water spots. The copper aged naturally and I believe I have the only maintenance free shower on the market.

Last but not least, if you want to make your copper sink look awesome, just apply our Bayes copper conditioner once a week or so.

Do not confuse the ease of maintenance of our sinks with other copper sinks on the market. We regularly receive emails and phone calls from people who have purchased other brands of copper sinks with finish issues which are next to impossible to repair. Our kitchen sinks have NO lacquer or any other topcoat on the inside of the sink. This is one of the most important differences between our sinks and others on the market. We also do not apply a faux finish on the copper. The interiors of our sinks are aged with a solution of vinegar and salt to accelerate the natural patination process. A copper sink interior should look like the color of an old penny. Any other coloration will be a problem to care for.

Those customers who prefer a polished copper finish will have to withstand more regular maintenance. There are products in the market, such as Barkeepers Friend and Wrights Copper Cream that are efficient, low-abrasive cleansing agents. A Bayes may also be applied to the surface of a freshly cleaned sink to protect its finish. The wax will not inhibit the antibacterial properties of the copper.

Generally, copper sinks should be left to age naturally.

Stainless Steel Sinks:

Stainless sinks require a bit more care and maintenance than copper sinks. Stainless sinks show water spots and scratches quite easily. Our Millennia textured stainless helps to hide these issues.

Your sink should be washed with a mild soap and then protected with Bayes Stainless steel cleaner and protectant.  Do not use Clorox or any other bleach product as it may damage any stainless steel. You can also use Barkeeper's Friend (found at most grocery stores) for a deep cleaning. You will have to rinse it completely after, then dry, then protect it with Bayes stainless steel cleaner and protectant.