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Cleaning
and Care

Maintaining Your Sink

What is a Patina or Living Finish?

The beauty of copper and similar metals is its living finish or patina. It builds over time and works as a protective coating. The patina is a rich weathered finish with light and dark tones complementing each other and creating the unique effect of copper.

General Tips

  • Never use anything abrasive like: Soft Scrub, Steel Wool, Chore Girl, etc.
  • Never use the following products: Brasso, Clorox, Drano or Similar Products.

Caring for Copper

Wash with soap, water and a soft cloth or sponge. We recommended the following soaps: Dawn Ultra (Original Blue Color), Ultra Ivory Dish Liquid (Classic Scent White Color) and Palmolive Original (Green Color). Wipe off the surface to remove standing water, whitening toothpaste, acidic substances, etc. Acidic substances create shiny spots, yet over time copper heals itself and with use the color will begin to return to its original shade.  For extra protection use a high-quality carnauba wax (with no polishing agent). Acidic substances like Lime, Lemon, Tomato Juice, etc tend to leave shiny spots.

Thompson Trader’s copper sinks are high quality, low maintenance and therefore, easy to care for. Your sink will last for generations!

Polished Copper

  • These finishes will patina
  • If the patina grows too dark and you wish to restore the sinks shiny finish, use a copper polish like Wright's Copper Cream ( Follow Wright's cleaning directions on how to use the copper cream). Then re-wax your sink.
  • If you wish to slow the patina process, wax your sink. Use a high quality carnauba was (with no polishing agent)
  • Never use anything abrasive
Fired Copper, Black Copper & Antique Copper

  • These finishes will patina.
  • Any spotting caused by normal usage will eventually fade back and match the patina.
  • To protect and slow the patina, use a high quality carnauba wax (with no polishing agent).
  • Never use metal/copper polish or anything abrasive on these finishes.
Stainless Steel, Black Nickel, Antique Satin Gold, Hammered Nickel & Multi-Colored Sinks

  • These finsihes will not change or patina
  • We recommend using a high quality carnauba was (with no polishing agent) to protect the finish.
  • Never use copper polish or anything abrasive.

Questions About Your Sink’s Finish?

Thompson Trader’s sinks are high quality, low maintenance and therefore, easy to care for. If you have additional questions about how to care for your finish, please contact us.

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