If you have design a traditional country kitchen one of the components may be a copper farm sink. A farm sink is a style where the front of the sink is exposed rather than being hidden behind a cabinet. They are typically very deep sinks with only one or maybe two basins. They are also unique in that they are usually constructed of heavy materials like porcelain, marble, or copper. You will not find very many authentic farm sinks made of fiberglass. Copper is particularly authentic. If you have chosen a copper farm sink then you have chosen something that it not only beautiful now, but will age beautifully so that you have something spectacular for years to come. However, you need to care for the sink properly in order for that to be true.
One of the unique properties of copper is that it does not degrade over time, but chemical reactions with the air will change the color of the copper slightly over time. The color darkens from a bright and shiny copper to something more rust colored, then sage, and then a turquoise green. This color change is called a patina. If you are not interested in the color change and you want to keep your copper sink bright and shiny then you will need to apply special waxes to the surface occasionally. If you do like the patina then there really is not much you need to do to keep your sink in tip top condition.
Unlike other sink materials, copper is not porous so you do not have to worry about bacteria or mold growing in the cracks and pores of the sink. All you need to worry about is wiping down the surface. My routine is to wipe the sink down with soapy water after I am done using it for the day. Then I just rinse away the soap with a stream of hot water. After cleaning and rinsing your sink, the only other thing to worry about is how to keep water spots off copper sinks. Water spots are a problem, so wipe down the sink with a dry towel or paper towel after cleaning to avoid them.
If you are trying to get the green patina on your copper, there are some things to be careful of because it is not indestructible. Acidic things like lemon or other citrus juices can remove the patina. If this happens to you just give the sink time, the patina will come back. It might not be completely uniform with the rest of the sink coloring, but that is part of what makes it unique. Nevertheless, it is good practice to rinse your sink immediately if you have citrus juice in there.
