Care & Cleaning
People often ask us how to care for Native Trails products. Whether you own a Native Trails antique copper kitchen sink, a bathroom sink in brushed nickel, or a NativeStone® freestanding tub, you’ll find our products to be amazingly easy to maintain! Hammered copper is particularly simple since it doesn’t show fingerprints as stainless steel or shiny copper does. Read on or use the links below to learn more about each finish and what we recommend to clean and care for your Native Trails product.
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Antique Copper
Copper is a living metal that will naturally patina over time. Our Antique finish copper is a rich, warm brown, achieved through a hand-applied patina process. Our Antique finish is not waxed or sealed; it will react to its environment as the piece develops character. Acidic substances such as lemons, ketchup, or red wine may alter the copper finish after prolonged contact. A unique characteristic of copper is that it is self-healing, so not to worry – in a short time (usually just days) it will naturally re-patina itself. Antique’s beauty is ever-changing and no two pieces are alike. Caring for this finish is particularly simple since the hammered texture does not show fingerprints. For basic cleaning, use mild soap and warm water. Abrasives should never be used as they may affect the finish. For extra protection, carnauba wax may be applied. Want to see the transformation of living copper in action? Read our blog article .
Tempered Copper
Copper is a living metal that will naturally patina over time. Our Tempered finish is a remarkable mottling of copper hues, created through a complex heating and cooling process. Products in Tempered finish are not sealed; they will react to their environment as they develop character. Acidic substances such as lemons, ketchup, or red wine may alter the copper finish after prolonged contact. A unique characteristic of copper is that it is self-healing, so not to worry – in a short time (usually just days) it will naturally re-patina itself. Tempered’s beauty is ever-changing and no two pieces are alike. Caring for this finish is particularly simple since the hammered texture does not show fingerprints. For basic cleaning, use mild soap and warm water. Abrasives should never be used as they may affect the finish. For extra protection, a product such as Flitz Faucet Wax+ may be applied. Want to see the transformation of living copper in action? Read our blog article.
Polished Copper
Polished Copper will begin to patina as it reacts with its environment. However, if the desire is to maintain the bright, polished look, it is easy to protect. For basic cleaning, use mild soap and warm water. Abrasives should never be used as they may affect the finish. When the copper begins to patina we recommend Wright’s Copper Cream to polish it, and any good copper wax such as Flitz Faucet Wax+ to maintain its original shine and luster. For a more lasting barrier we recommend Native Trails MetalProtect®, which offers long lasting protection against tarnish and smudges.
Brushed Nickel
Our Brushed Nickel finish is achieved by plating nickel over copper, followed by careful hand brushing. Brushed Nickel is easy to maintain. Caring for this finish is particularly simple since the hammered, brushed texture does not show fingerprints. For basic cleaning, use mild soap and warm water. Abrasives should never be used as they may affect the finish. Acidic substances left on the nickel finish for extended periods of time may leave a slight dark mark, but this is easily removed with Flitz Polish or chrome polish.
Polished Nickel
Our Polished Nickel finish is achieved by plating nickel over copper, followed by careful hand polishing. For basic cleaning, use mild soap and warm water. Abrasives should never be used as they may affect the finish. To maintain the bright, mirrored finish of Polished Nickel, use chrome polish; for longer lasting protection against smudges, fingerprints, and water spots, we recommend Native Trails MetalProtect®.
NativeStone®
To create our one-of-a-kind NativeStone Collection, skilled artisans hand form each piece with a sustainable blend of natural materials including renewable jute fiber, making NativeStone 40% lighter than standard concrete. The final step is an extensive sealing process, utilizing our exclusive NativeStone Shield, which binds to the concrete on a molecular level for a highly durable and stain resistant surface.
Each one-of-a-kind NativeStone piece tells its own story through subtle variations in tone and texture. It will gently acquire character marks over time, expressing its authentic beauty and individuality.
Day-to-day care & cleaning
It is easy to keep NativeStone looking great. Simply use mild, non-abrasive soaps and cleaners with a neutral pH, such as Simple Green. Avoid abrasive cleaners or harsh scrubbers that could speed up the degradation of your NativeStone sealer.
Rinse promptly after contact with acidic substances or harsh chemicals, such as lemons, wine, tomatoes, mustard, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, acetone, etc. Although our sealer will generally hold up to occasional contact with most of these products, prompt rinsing will help to increase the lifespan of your sealer.
Adhesives: Never use tape of any kind on NativeStone; it may damage the sealer.
Please use standard care and precautions with your NativeStone concrete product; concrete boasts exceptional durability but is still susceptible to damage. Sharp utensils like forks and knives may puncture the sealer. Heavy, hard objects can cause chipping. Note: This is why it is critical that the coordinating bottom grid is used with kitchen sinks; it will dramatically increase the lifespan of the kitchen sink’s sealer.
In the unlikely event of damage, most issues can be easily repaired when addressed in a timely manner. Please contact us if you need assistance with selecting the appropriate repair materials.
All of our NativeStone Repair Kits are available for purchase at the following links:
When to Reseal your NativeStone
Like all sealed concrete, the sealer on your NativeStone product will need to be refreshed. If dark spots or discoloration appear on your wet NativeStone surface, the sealer has been penetrated. It should be resealed immediately with NativeStone Shield.
The estimated lifespan of the NativeStone sealer varies based on conditions and use; kitchen sinks generally need resealing every 1-3 years. lavatory sinks, bar sinks and bathtubs typically need resealing every 3-5 years.
This step will maintain the beauty and integrity of your NativeStone and is necessary for warranty maintenance.
Any questions? Contact us.
Murano Glass
Caring for your Murano glass sink is simple. For basic cleaning, simply use mild soap and water. Avoid abrasive material and cleaners. Rinse and wipe dry with a soft cloth after use for best results. To remove water spots, a 50% solution of vinegar to water is recommended. Apply solution, wipe away, rinse with water and then wipe dry with a soft cloth.
Glass resists staining better than most materials, but because of the handmade nature of the Murano Collection some care must be taken with harsh acidic chemicals such as face washes and other high PH solutions. Do not use acidic cleaners or lemon juice on the sink surface. If your sink does come in contact with highly acidic materials, rinse thoroughly and wipe dry with soft cloth.
Precious Metals
For ongoing maintenance, simply use mild, non-abrasive soap and cleaners. The precious metal finish is protected with a custom formulated sealer which is stain and scratch resistant for long lasting beauty; however, normal care should be exercised and abrasives avoided. Wipe or rinse sink after use for best results. Sealer may need to be refreshed over the years, depending upon usage. Contact Native Trails for sealer kit if needed.
Vintner’s Collection
Furniture craftsmen still “make things like they used to” using woodworking traditions that go back centuries. You’ll see the results of their meticulous artistry in our sustainable furniture, which is built to the standard of any heirloom quality piece, using reclaimed wood as the source material. The Vintner’s Collection gives a second life to oak barrels and staves from the heart of California’s wine country, then handcrafted by local artisans. The finish of these reclaimed wood bathroom vanities and mirrors is enhanced by hand waxing to bring out the color and protect the wood. Clean spills from the wood with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. Dry the furniture with a second dry soft cloth or allow it to air-dry. For protection, rub the wood with a high quality furniture wax immediately after cleaning. Apply additional applications of wax as needed to keep your furniture protected and looking beautiful.
Americana Collection
Furniture craftsmen still “make things like they used to” using woodworking traditions that go back centuries. You’ll see the results of their meticulous artistry in our sustainable furniture, which is built to the standard of any heirloom quality piece, using reclaimed wood as the source materials. The Americana Collection is comprised of bathroom vanities, bathroom storage, and mirrors. These soulful pieces are handcrafted by American artisans, using wood reclaimed from structures of the past. The finish of these reclaimed wood bathroom vanities and mirrors is a low VOC wash. Clean spills from the wood with a soft cloth and warm, soapy water. Dry the furniture with a second dry soft cloth or allow it to air-dry.