Easy Cleaning & Care: Copper & Stainless Sinks by Havens

Havens is an advanced metal fabricator of nearly 40 years, having built thousands of copper & stainless steel kitchen, bath, and bar sinks. 
Through innovation and high quality American craftsmanship, Havens has developed the easiest to clean sinks available, requiring little to no maintenance.

One of the most significant benefits of a Havens sink is it's ability to be completely cleaned with just a soapy sponge and running water.
Yes, that's correct (with a Havens sink) - no drying, no waxing, no need to avoid harsh chemicals or abrasives such as bleach or ammonia.

Havens Sinks Exhibit Durability, Longevity, and Extreme Levels of Resilience

A kitchen sink should realistically be able to withstand any amount of wear and tear, chemical cleaners, or abrasive foods.
Unfortunately, most sink manufacturers focus on quantity over quality, which is why they use low quality imported craftsmanship and recycled materials.

Havens crafts copper and stainless steel sinks exclusively from the highest quality materials available - American forged from non-recycled alloys.
In line with quality craftsmanship, the metal used is very important. Cheap imported metals compromise dependability and will eventually corrode, warp, and rust. 

What Is The Care & Maintenance Difference Between Copper And Stainless Steel?

When it comes to cleaning and maintaining a Havens sink, the difference in the available metal finishes won't necessarily make a difference in cleaning and care. Among the 7 copper and stainless steel Havens metal finishes, each of them are equally simple to clean and care for - as Havens' high quality finishing process results in a ultra smooth surface. The gentle and slick surface of the metal allows food and liquids to easily flow towards the pitch of the drain, which is much more effective than chasing debris around with the faucet. A Havens sink is guaranteed to drain perfectly with every use, never pooling water or allowing foods to easily stick to the surface and harden over time - resulting in maintenance that is truly a breeze for the homeowner. Havens sinks have the option of right, left or centered drain placement.

How to Clean and Maintain a Havens Sink (Copper & Stainless Steel):

Copper Sinks: The Antimicrobial Solution To a Cleaner Kitchen

If you're shopping for a new copper sink, or already own one of these acclaimed beauties...you may have noticed that thoroughly researching the product is essential. 

If you've seen a Copper Sink online with these sort of disclaimers or requirements, it's likely that the sink is imported and made from recycled metal.
Unfortunately, these type of sinks will not last. Research is key, beware of misleading manufacturers trying to make a quick buck.

Following these easy steps insures a lasting finish on your copper sink, and allows for the natural aging process to take place.
As a “living metal,” copper displays fascinating characteristics and exhibits a self-healing patina which accentuates a rich blend of browns and deep oranges over time.
With a self-healing patina, Havens copper sinks naturally restore blemishes brought on by stains from harsh liquids, food marks, and abrasive cleaners.

Frequently Asked Questions About Owning a Copper Sink

Are copper sinks easy to clean and maintain? 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. The sink will maintain a deep brown/rich orange color throughout decades of extensive use, which is why we support every copper product with a lifetime warranty.

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. The properties of this metal are far superior to similar metals such as brass or stainless steel, which are both comparable, but do not display antimicrobial or self-healing properties. 14 gauge American copper is extremely durable, resistant to scratching, and will never warp or rust. The copper sinks built by Havens can support several hundred pounds without denting or warping, which would surely damage a low quality sink made from recycled copper alloys. Researching the origin of the metal, the gauge, and recycled properties is extremely important to determine the life expectancy and overall durability of a sink.

Do copper sinks tarnish or dull over time? One of the biggest concerns with picking out a copper sink for the home is how the sink will look over time. Since copper has a living finish, known as a patina, the surface is ever changing. This doesn't necessarily mean that the copper sink will look much different over time in terms of color, shade, and overall appearance. The fact that the patina surface is ever changing indicates that the top layer of the metal is constantly healing itself and redeveloping the rich brown patina on the surface of the metal. This natural phenomenon is intriguing to observe, and is an exclusive property of copper. The benefit of an ever changing metal is the natural ability for the copper to protect itself, eliminate bacteria, and even hide food blemishes that appear in between intermittent cleaning. 

Should a copper sink be dried, waxed or polished? Never! In fact, these are the biggest indications of a low quality sink. It's no secret that the majority of copper sinks available are imported from other countries and require extreme levels of care and maintenance. Although these sinks are usually very affordable, the nightmare of having to clean, wax, and dry a copper sink results in copious amounts of care - which is basically the opposite of how a sink should perform. A kitchen sink should be something that can withstand the elements, without the risk of ruining the product. After all, the sink is often the centerpiece of the kitchen, integrated to cabinetry and countertops - which can be expensive to replace in the event that the sink fails. In this situation, it's always better to select a high quality product that is protected with a lifetime warranty and is guaranteed to require no waxing, drying, or polishing - for life! It's absolutely our guarantee that a USA handcrafted Havens copper sink will outperform every single imported copper sink, with every use. Over 95% of the copper sinks for sale are imported, made from recycled material, and include a limited warranty.

Is copper a safe metal? Are there any health hazards with copper? This is an important question to consider when researching and purchasing a copper product - especially a sink. Generally speaking, most copper metals are safe to use, even with recycled alloys. In some cases, with a low quality recycling process, the copper will contain impurities such as beryllium and arsenics. Although this isn't necessarily a health hazard, it will likely lead to a compromised durability on the surface, resulting in dulling/scratching/rusting. While most copper is safe, it's better to select a product with the highest possible purity rating, as recycled alloys will lead to inevitable care and maintenance issues. The copper sinks built by Havens contain a (non-recycled) 99.9% purity rating, which is the highest possible rating available on any sheet of copper. While health hazards aren't generally a concern with copper sinks, the pros of selecting a high quality material allows for the natural inherent benefits of the metal, the most significant being antimicrobial properties - eliminating bacteria directly on the surface. This is only true for quality copper - not lacquered, clear coated, or polished.

Can I use abrasives, harsh chemicals, or bleach in my copper sink? With a Havens copper sink, there are no limitations in terms of damaging the finish with abrasives and household chemicals such as bleach. See, the ability for copper to recondition and patina is a very beneficial property. Although certain chemicals might effect the patina on the surface, the actual integrity of the metal itself will not be damaged. The copper patina on the surface is like a protective layer, almost like a shield. With certain household elements like heavy citrus, toothpaste, or harsh abrasives such as bleach, the patina can be temporarily changed. The beauty of this is that the organic patina process will always refinish the surface, providing a fresh coat of copper patina every time that water interacts with it.